If 2023 was about quiet luxury and the clean girl look, then the fashion industry took a complete U-turn in 2024. This year fashionistas have moved on to a fun and catchy mob wife style that is vibrant, messy, exciting, and dangerous.
In short, the industry has moved from “less is more” to “more is more”. And this 1980s-inspired glamor look has taken over TikTok and Google searches.
Retailers can catch up by offering products that fit this trend. So read on to discover more about mob wife aesthetics, as well as how to stock the items that your buyer’s will love in 2024.
Table of Contents
What is the mob wife aesthetic?
How has the mob wife style risen in popularity?
What are the key elements to achieve mob wife style?
Final words
What is the mob wife aesthetic?
The mob wife style is quite different from the clean girl look. Clean girl style is about simple things, but mob wife fashion is all about being flashy and glamorous. It’s about wearing bright colors and bold patterns with confidence and class.
This bold style takes inspiration from famous characters like Carmela Soprano and Adriana La Cerva from The Sopranos, as well as Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface and Sharon Stone in Casino.
The mob wife style started way back in the early 20th century when organized crime was big in the USA. The wives of criminals, called “mob wives,” were known for their extravagant lifestyles. They were seen as symbols of power and status in the mob community. These women wore whatever they wanted and nobody dared to question them.
Although some critics don’t like this style because it’s associated with crime, many fashion leaders support it. They say it’s not about promoting violence or crime, but about showing off power, glamor, and femininity in a unique way.
How has the mob wife style risen in popularity?
According to a report Google searches for ‘mob wife’ have seen a jump of 2,122% over the past 90 days. Pinterest has noticed a 1,011% increase in searches for ‘mafia wife aesthetic’ over the last twelve months, while TikTok gained 160.9 million views for #mobwife and 130.6 million views for #mobwifeaesthetic.
This trend could be said to have started on 8 January 2024 when Kayla Trivieri declared clean girl is out and mob wife is in. This video has been viewed over a million times. Pictures of characters from iconic mafia movies and TV series, such as Goodfellas, The Godfather, and The Sopranos, circulated online as representations of the mob wife trend.
Some attribute the trend’s popularity to the anniversary of HBO’s hit series The Sopranos, although HBO denies involvement. The hype surrounding the trend has been further fueled by the release of “Griselda,” a new show about a Colombian cocaine baroness in the 1970s and 1980s in Miami. Influential figures like Sofia Vergara, Dua Lipa, and Kendall Jenner have followed the trend, contributing to its widespread popularity.
What are the key elements to achieve mob wife style?
Buyers have moved from minimalist aesthetics to opulent aesthetics. This style is all about exuding confidence, glamor, and undisputed prowess.
Here are key elements to achieve the mob wife outfit.
Fitted outfit
Mob wives love sleek and body-hugging fitted dresses that flatter their curves. These dresses come in luxurious fabrics like silk or satin, ensuring a smooth fit. They often feature classic colors like red or taupe adding flair.
With plunging necklines or sequin embellishments, they exude sophistication. Lengths vary from knee to midi, offering versatility. Mob wife-fitted dresses embody elegance and femininity.
Bodycon, catsuits, sequined dresses, and classic hourglass silhouettes are women’s favorite pieces to flaunt mob wife style. Olivia Rodrigo wearing a vintage 1995 embellished Versace dress to the Grammys that is a perfect addition to mob-style wardrobe.
Fashion brands with roots in Southern Italian aesthetics, like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, have materials, patterns, and silhouettes that align with the mob wife style. Body-con silhouettes by Skims or Balenciaga are gaining momentum on TikTok as base layers for a mob wife style.
Black color
Black serves as the foundation for the mob wife aesthetic. This classic hue exudes sophistication and mystery, embodying the allure of the clandestine world. Mobwife fashion often revolves around sleek black outfits, from tailored suits to elegant dresses.
Black serves as a versatile canvas, allowing for the incorporation of bold accessories and statement pieces. Whether it’s a little black dress or a chic black blazer, this timeless color adds an element of glamor to any outfit. In the mob wife aesthetic, black is more than just a color—it symbolizes power, confidence, and understated elegance.
Sarah Jordan Arcuri, the self-proclaimed “Mob wife Aesthetic CEO,” with @thesweetpaisana handle on TikTok, shared a video where which she broke down the look: all black as foundation, lot of leather, fur jacket, gold jewelry, and sunglasses, with any designer bag.
Leather
Leather is a staple for this aesthetic. It shows power and adds life to the style. Mobwife fashion is about looking strong and in control, and leather helps achieve that. They give outfits a cool and rebellious vibe, adding excitement to the style.
Leather pieces such as jackets or skirts, pants, and high heel boots are popular options. Leather can be worn for various occasions, from casual to fancy, and it never goes out of style. Whether it’s a leather jacket or cool boots, these pieces make a big impression and enhance mob wife outfits.
In mob wife fashion, leather is a secret weapon that boosts confidence and power.TikToker-styled leather pants for mob wife look and the video has been viewed over 100K times. Take inspiration from this video for styling leather pants.
Animal print
A mob wife wardrobe isn’t complete without animal prints, especially leopard, tiger, or other large cat prints. With Sicilian roots, Dolce & Gabbana are pioneers of the mob wife aesthetic. In SS24, they showcased a waterproof trench coat in leopard print with a matching headscarf.
Classic animal prints are used in various pieces like pants, dresses, jackets, skirts, coats, and blouses. Leopard prints can be worn casually or formally.
For instance, Rihanna wore an Armani leopard print faux fur coat over a tracksuit to board a private plane to Aspen. Kim Kardashian sourced pieces from Azzedine Alaia’s famous autumn/winter 1991 catwalk show, where the models walked out in head-to-toe leopard print.
Although animal prints are typically associated with winter wardrobes, they’re becoming popular for summer too. How women wear them depends on their confidence level.
Pure mob wife looks are all about high glamor and tight-fitting outfits. However, there are various ways to wear animal prints, like pairing a printed top with capri pants and kitten heels, which boost confidence.
Faux fur
When it comes to mob wife style, faux fur is the epitome of luxury and glamor. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, JLO, and Dua Lipa are all embracing the mob wife look with faux fur coats.
It’s all about achieving that luxurious aesthetic without harming animals. Faux fur garments have long been associated with wealth and status, making them mandatory for mob wife wardrobes. While real fur has become controversial due to animal cruelty concerns, faux fur is making a comeback with a Gen Z twist.
Fast-fashion brands are offering affordable faux fur options, while secondhand retailers provide eco-friendly choices. A stunning faux fur coat is the foundation of any mob wife look, available in various colors and fits.
Pair with statement jewelry and basics like roll-neck knits and slim jeans for the ultimate mob wife ensemble. However, faux fur coats aren’t everyone’s style, they can still incorporate touches of fur as accents, such as on the collar of a sweater.
Statement jewelry
Statement jewelry pieces that command attention are a first choice for the mob wife look. Google searches for ‘statement jewelry’ have increased by 293% worldwide in the past 90 days.
Gold is a popular choice in mob wife aesthetics. Head-to-toe gold jewelry is a must for this style. Diamonds are also a way to capture the mob wife aesthetic. Jewelry is considered a symbol of power, status, and wealth in mob wife style.
Big hoops, layered chains, stackable bracelets, statement earrings, cocktail rings, and personalized pendants have major moments. Another key piece in a mob wife’s jewelry collection is diamond-encrusted watches, which serve a practical yet luxurious purpose.
Makeup
When it comes to makeup, the mob wife aesthetic is all about exuding an unbothered sense of glamor and making a statement. At the core of the mob wife makeup look is defined eyes and facial structure with bold lips, and an overall matte finish.
Red lips are the signature of mob wife style, but bold brown, maroon, and berry colors are also popular choices for fuller-looking lips. Heavy blush and contouring are used to define the cheeks.
Eye makeup plays a crucial role in creating this loud look. This playful eye makeup includes dark, shimmery shadows, winged eyeliners, and smokey eyes. Other latest trends like siren eyes, dark lip liners, and bold eyebrows can easily be incorporated into this style.
Long nails, red nail paint and French tips are the core of the mob wife aesthetic. Therefore, acrylics demand will rise in the nail industry. Girls are going crazy about this trend as the red nail theory has been viewed 45 million times on TikTok.
Hair
Goodbye to sleek styles and slicked-down flyaways—mob wives are all about embracing bold blow waves, flirty up-dos, and face bangs. Side partings are currently trending in the beauty world, likely influenced by the rise of mob wife style. It’s all about big and bouncy hair, achieved through backcombing, hair spray, and lots of blowout volume.
Phoebe emphasizes, “It’s all about the big and bouncy hair.” Signature hairstyles include voluminous curls, sleek updos, and glamorous waves. These hairstyles exude confidence and femininity, adding an extra touch of glamor to any look. Retro-inspired looks like bouncy blowouts and towering updos are good inspirations for mob aesthetic.
Buyers need tools like blow dryers, rollers, round brushes, and curling rods to achieve these hairstyles. Whether they opt for messy and big hair or polished curls, accessories like hair clips or headbands can add an extra touch of glamor to enhance the mob wife look. Tiktokers are joining the mob wife trend by sharing their glamorous hairstyles.
Accessories
Designer bags and oversized sunglasses are must-haves for capturing the mob wife aesthetic. Mob wives use accessories to exude confidence and make a statement.
Designer accessories, such as sunglasses and handbags with extra-large logos, are also key to achieving the mob wife look. There’s no room for small pieces in a mob wife’s wardrobe. Instead, opt for oversized sunglasses that add mystery and allure to one’s appearance, while bold frames and dark lenses contribute to the opulent aesthetic they aim for.
Regarding handbags, mob wives prefer large structured bags that scream confidence. Brands like Hermes, Gucci, and Chanel are particularly popular among mob wife aesthetic lovers for their big logos on accessories. These designer pieces add a finishing touch to the mob wife look and embody the luxurious and powerful aura associated with this style.
Final words
The clean girl aesthetic may seem simple but in reality, it’s hard to follow.
On top of this, no logo products like camel cashmere coats are heavy on the pocket. Whereas the mob wife look, on the other hand, may seem extravagant and a showoff to wealth, but its actually more easily achieved.
The core of this look is a vintage appeal and all its essential elements are easily available in thrift shops, charity stores, mom’s wardrobes, or in designer and local shops.
Outrage directed against this trend is just like revenge on the old money trend. But despite the fact that there may be some pushback and concerns that it may only be a winter trend, the truth is it’s here to stay in 2024. So sellers should stalk their shelves with the hottest items of the trends to boost their sales by appealing to this hot niche for the year ahead.
