We are two months into the new year and there's already a fashion trend that is bursting at the seams. The Mob Wife aesthetic, a complete contrast to last year's quiet luxury, is bold, messy, and unapologetic. What is it? Inspired by Italian-American culture,specifically that of New York and New Jersey, the aesthetic comes from women and icons likeMichelle Visage and Teresa Giudice, and also from women who played fictional mob wife characters likeDrea de Matteo and Edie Falco inThe Sopranos, Sharon Stone inCasino, and Lorraine Bracco inGoodfellas, to name a few.
The trend, however, went viral on TikTok sometime last year whenuser and self-described “mob wife CEO”Sarah Arcuriposted a video on the basics of the aesthetic. What are the basics of the aesthetic you ask? Well, when it comes to the fashion side of things, the mob wife fashion trend is essentially all about black leather, animal prints, faux (or real) fur, oversized sunglasses, gold jewellery, messy updos, and of course pencil heels and knee-high boots.
On the beauty side of things, you'll spot dirty smokey eyes done roughly with deep charcoal and grey tones, bold winged liner, perfect soft-matte complexion with little to no shine, heavy bronzing to give that 'woke up as a baddie' vibe, hardly any blush because soft isn't the look we are going for, and a perfectly overlined pout that's either nude or deep red. The makeup is supposed to be perfect but no-so-perfect in the sense it should looka little lived-in. As far as your hairdo and nails are concerned big, bold and beautiful is the mantra with voluminous curls and long glossy nails.
What we love the most is that the entire aesthetic is basically 90s supermodel — think Kate Moss andYasmeen Ghauri — mixed with super cheeky patternedmaximalism of the early 2010s. Now if the mob wife aesthetic is something that is right up your alley, or you're particularlyfascinatedwith the micro-trends within the larger trend, like animal prints or leather, then here's how you can nail the mob wife aesthetic in 2024.
Faux Fur Coats
While we do not support real fur — vintage or otherwise, you simply cannot nail the aesthetic minus any sort of fur element in your outfit. Fur in itself reeks of luxury and elegance yet reminds you of old Hollywood glam. We'd suggest either getting a complete faux fur coat or a long trench with a faux fur collar of sorts. Additionally, coats themselves are super versatile and can be styled in several ways, so while you look like a badass mob wife on Tuesday, you can go wear a skimpy body-con underneath it on Saturday paired with a few bow accessories because 'you're just a girl'.
Fluffy Coat
₹5499
Winter Beige Faux Fur Cape Poncho
₹5999
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Soft Coat With Hood
₹4990
Leather Pants
Leather has had its moment for a while now and is clearly not going anywhere. We love how it trails on the heels of the 'rock girlfriend' aesthetic but is seen in more wider, straight and flared silhouettes as opposed to the tight figure hugging ones. Again, we'd suggest opting for faux leather.
Black Straight Fit High Waist Faux Leather Pants
₹4295
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Black Straight Fit High Waist Faux Leather Pants
₹6299
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Black Paper Pu Trousers
₹2990
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Animal Prints
One of the most defining factors about this trend is the maximalist prints and patterns; bordering on being obnoxious! Animal prints are not everyone's cup of tea and that's alright, but if they are, then don't think twice before busting out your prints this year —leopard, tiger or zebra. Pair the prints with messy hairstyles, untamed waves and oversized sunglasses, at the end of the day, it's all about the attitude the mob wife carries, all the money in the world, all the style, and no time to waste trotting around (organised crime activities not necessary).
Black Zebra Print Maxi Dress
₹4490
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Women Off-White Printed Wrap Dress
₹2990
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V Neck Animal Zebra Striped Drawstring Long Sleeve Top
₹2099
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Footwear
For this trend you'll mostly spot skinny heels that almost make you touch the sky or knee high boots. And with knee high boots and over-the-knee boots themselves being in fashion, don't shy away from stocking up on a couple. What we like is that both the footwear options can be worn with pretty much everything — dresses and pants included. Here are a couple of options you can get your hands on.
Aldo Stessy 2.0 Synthetic Black Solid Pumps
₹11999
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Tilera Stretch The Knee Stiletto Boot In Black
₹8199
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One With Nature Heels
₹3095
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Bold Statement Clothes
From bright red strapless dresses to asymmetrical figure-hugging tops, even with the mob wife aesthetic, you can go the monochrome route, but you've got to make sure the fabric or silhouette you pick is a statement. It's almost like you're trying to channel Gloria from Modern Family. It'sover the top and bold while also being elegant and stylish.
Red Hailey Dress
₹3950
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Black Long Sleeves V Neck Knot Detail Ribbed Fitted Bodysuit
₹1499
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Alannah Velvet Sequin Blazer Dress
₹9200
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Accessories
Along with the glam and the attitude the accessories also contribute to the entirety of the aesthetic. To nail the mob wife trend, you'll need lots of gold jewellery, printed or fishnet stockings, oversized belts, watches, and, of course, sunglasses that cover half of your face.
Coil Hoops
₹1299
Brown Always On The Look Sunglasses
₹1495
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Herringbone Necklace
₹1799
Makeup
Less is undeniably less when you tread the mob wife aesthetic realm. The mob wife aesthetic is all about unleashing your inner female fatale and putting all that sass you hold inside on display. Think unbothered glam with smudged-out smokey eyeshadow, big bold eyeliner, perfectly concealed soft-matte complexion, slightly over-bronzed cheeks and an overdrawn pout (either the perfect brown-toned nude for your skin tone or a sophisticated deep red), and extra points for making it look scruffy to give that nonchalant vibe. This means that you can bid adieu to the clean-girl makeup tricks you had honed through 2023 and say hello to bigger, better, and bolder in all aspects of beauty.
PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation
₹5950
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Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer
₹1750
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Nykaa Eyes On Me! 10-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette
₹699
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Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick
₹1995
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Hair
Acing the mob wife hair look is about going all out with the volume and opting for glamorous styles that are done slightly roughly. We're not aiming for perfect or well-tamed hair rather, your hair needs to look a little messy and lean more towards the grunge side. The look often includes big curls that give expensive salon blowout energy, high volume and a super-polished finish, so pre and post-styling products take centre stage here to kill your hair's mob-wife moment.
L'Oreal Professionnel Tecniart Constructor Thermo-active Spray
₹660
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Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Sparkler Hair Styling Shine Spray
₹1450
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Alan Truman The Blow Brush Cappuccino Gold
₹4250
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L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Normal Hold Hair Spray
₹750
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Nails
Finally, we have reached the finishing touch to 'nail' the mob wife aesthetic. A tiny detail that does wonders to one's look (and personality) are nails. The mob wife aesthetic is not only about feeling filthy rich but also equally carefree, so don't overthink about getting long and glossy nails or about getting them done regularly. A hyper-glam 1990s deep French or a bright red is the way to go! Don't be scared of being extra with a coffin or almond shape, it's all about maximalism in a tasteful way.
O.P.I Nail Lacquer
₹850
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DeBelle Top & Base Coat
₹525
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Gush Beauty Nail Lacquer
₹199
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