The basic iteration involves donning an all-black outfit topped with a fur coat—whether real or faux. But proponents insist that the look is incomplete without the right demeanor. Devotees of the style add high-volume hair, red lipstick and nails, and oversized sunglasses that could double as windshields.
For instance, on TikTok, many seek inspiration from fictional mob wives, like Edie Falco's portrayal of Carmela Soprano on "The Sopranos." Users share images of Falco sporting long hair, French tips, and lip-syncing to scenes of her spats with James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano. Others reference Drea de Matteo's Adriana La Cerva from "The Sopranos" and Lorraine Bracco's Karen Hill from "Goodfellas."
Why this has become a viral phenomenon is the question. According to Rebecca Bauman, PhD, an associate professor of Italian at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the trend is "embracing an exaggerated version of trends that are not only accepted in the mainstream but are in some cases even celebrated as the pinnacle of high fashion." Bauman, who previously investigated the relevance of mafia fashion in popular culture in 2022. Bauman continues, "The materials, patterns, and silhouettes of fashion houses like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, which have their roots in Southern Italian aesthetics, are the same ones found within the mob wife aesthetic."
Speaking of “The Sopranos,” many users on the app think that HBO started the trend of tying it in with its massive promotion for the 25th anniversary of the show’s premiere. Some, like Ms. Arcuri, believe that TikTok’s obsession with mob wives responds to the sometimes-advanced minimalist perfection found on visual social media platforms. The previous year saw the “clean girl aesthetic” rise, emphasizing understated signs of wealth (think beige pullovers and neat updos).
Any "mob wife" outfit starts with a gorgeous fur coat, which should be faux fur. Numerous forms and designs are suitable, such as large, in natural hues, belt-cinched, maxi length over mini, or leopard print.
"Mob wives" have a strong preference for leopard and other animal prints, often wearing them together. At their Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show, the Danish brand Rotate showcased how to master this style. The brand's designers, Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Friis Madsen, dressed celebrity Lisa Rinna in outfits featuring mixed prints, including an animal-print faux fur coat with a leopard-print lining. Known for their Sicilian roots, Dolce & Gabbana are often credited with pioneering the mob wife trend. For their Spring/Summer 2024 collection, they presented a headscarf and a waterproof trench coat, both in leopard print.
Wearing a stylish catsuit underneath a fur or leather coat is the ideal all-in-one outfit. Black lace, loud prints, and a lot of embellishment are appropriate. Wear large, shaggy boots or towering heels as an accessory, as seen at Leonard FW23.
Adding a black leather dress with a midi length is also essential. Its silhouette should be slender; a side slit is not necessary. Leather can be pressed into a crocodile pattern or left smooth. Garnishings like grommets and zippers are appropriate.
Sunglasses and purses are must-have designer accessories for the mob wife look, especially those with an oversized logo.
Put on as many gold bracelets, necklaces, and earrings as possible.
How did this specific look come to be associated with the mafia? Social media use, youth culture, and gangs have all been studied by Professor Ariadna Fernández-Planells, PhD. She claims that "gang members' lifestyle and fashion choices represent and reflect power." "In contrast to the more traditionally subdued form of dress that has been considered appropriate for American men, especially in the workplace," Bauman says, "he embodies a kind of flashy, audacious embrace of fashion sense."
That may help explain why, when characterizing the poster girl of this aesthetic, some content creators mention a "do-not-mess-up-with-me" mentality in addition to wardrobe essentials like fur coats, items with animal prints, and high heels. They argue that energy is just as important as style.
TikTok's "aesthetic" trends usually look like this: Give a well-known fashion trend—such as wealthy elderly ladies dressing in cardigans—a catchy new name, like "Coastal Grandmothers." Many people in this situation dress like "The Sopranos" did 25 years ago, and some complain that their style has been turned into a "trend." It's unclear how many people outside of that group will adopt that clothing style after a chance discovery on TikTok.
In a video that has received over a million views, TikToker Abbey Sadleir said, "Thank God, I drank far too much for a clean girl. Clean girl aesthetic is out." "Just martinis will do. Old-fashioned fur coats. It's conduct befitting a boss."
Women of all ages attempted to imitate Hailey Bieber and Sophia Richie's "stealth wealth" look with sleek hairstyles, subtle, glowing makeup, and neutral-colored apparel during last year's "clean girl" viral beauty trend.
Fernández-Planells notes that the media frequently shapes gang myths, stereotypes, and conventions worldwide. Hence, it makes sense that, occasionally, mob members become symbols in the media. In particular, certain characteristics of Italian mafias draw viewers to their depictions in popular culture.
According to Bauman, the mafia has frequently been seen as a manifestation of ideals central to the American dream, particularly about individualism and the amassing of material wealth. The mafioso is an immigrant from a poor background who rises to power and financial success through sheer force of will, cunning enemy maneuvering, and boldness.
This is also the reason why other minority groups have frequently embraced mafia narratives as a kind of success model in a nation that has, at times, been antagonistic toward them. In addition, particularly due to Coppola's The Godfather, the mafia presents an image of an old-fashioned ethnic identity based on principles like loyalty, family, and honor.
Like stealth wealth aesthetics and clean girl styles, the mob wife look emphasizes ostentatious symbols of wealth. Still, this time, those typically associated with the nouveau riche—especially those whose riches were acquired through breaking the law.
It might be incorrect to equate this trend with female empowerment. Critics and detractors of the mob-wife trend point out that most patriarchal mob structures objectify and commodify women, both real and made-up. The traditional view of the mob wife is not one of romanticism. According to Bauman, the mob wife has always been mocked for being tacky and stereotypical because, despite having access to illicit wealth, she still looks "cheap" due to her over-accessorizing and emphasis on vivid colors, animal prints, and long hair.
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