Leopard prints, fur coats, long French manicured nails, and voluminous hair—the “mob wife” aesthetic is making a comeback. This maximalist style, once associated with the wives of mobsters, is now trending on TikTok, with hashtags like #mobwife and #mobwifeaesthetic amassing millions of views.
Many women are turning away from the minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic in favor of this bold, glamorous look. The “mob wife” aesthetic offers a refreshing change, celebrating maximalism and embracing a more expressive approach to beauty and fashion.
The “mob wife aesthetic” is now trending, and an expert reveals why.
The hashtag #mobwife has amassed 167.7 million views on TikTok.
Influencers like Chrissy are creating tutorials to help fans achieve the perfect “mob wife” look. In one popular video with over 6 million views, Chrissy offers tips on how to embody this trend.
Her advice includes dressing entirely in black and incorporating at least one piece of black leather. “If you look like you’re going to a funeral, you’re doing it right,” she jokingly suggests.
This viral aesthetic features oversized fur coats, glossy leather, bold animal print clashes, perfectly styled hair, and layers of gold jewelry.
Chrissy recommends digging up your mom’s vintage fur jacket from the 1980s to complete the “mob wife” look. She notes that nothing evokes the golden age of the mob quite like a piece of clothing from that era.
While organized crime like the Mafia thrived during Prohibition in the 1920s, its influence began to wane in the late 20th century due to anti-racketeering laws and other legal measures. However, according to some experts, the “golden era” of the mob in New York was during the 1970s.
The 25th anniversary of The Sopranos may have sparked this fashion trend, as many women are channeling Carmela Soprano’s iconic style.
Drita D’avanzo, a former cast member of the reality show Mob Wives, has weighed in on the growing popularity of the “mob wife” aesthetic. In a recent TikTok video, the 47-year-old shared iconic moments from the show, writing, “This is not just a look, it’s a lifestyle.”
D’avanzo paid tribute to her late co-star, Big Ang, who was also a prominent figure in the mob world. Big Ang was the niece of Salvatore “Sally Dogs” Lombardi, a high-ranking member of the Genovese crime family.
TikToker Mikayla Nogueira shared a tutorial on how to achieve mob wife-inspired makeup, with a focus on smoky eyes.
Big Ang, known for her extravagant style and full figure, tragically passed away from lung cancer in 2016 at the age of 55.
The “mob wife” aesthetic, characterized by oversized fur coats, glossy leather, bold animal prints, elaborate hairstyles, and chunky gold jewelry, has gained significant popularity. This trend can be attributed, in part, to the iconic TV series The Sopranos, which first aired in 1999. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, HBO launched a TikTok account featuring short recaps of all 86 episodes.
Adriana La Cerva, played by Drea de Matteo in The Sopranos, has also become a popular fashion inspiration for this trend.
Characters like Carmela Soprano and Adriana La Cerva from The Sopranos have served as inspiration for many content creators embracing the “mob wife” aesthetic.
According to Lorrie Ivas, an associate professor at Santa Monica College’s Fashion Faculty, the resurgence of this style is not unexpected. “Fashion trends tend to cycle back,” she explained to Bored Panda, “whether it’s by generation or more quickly, depending on current streaming schedules.”
“The only thing one can predict about fashion trends is that they will cycle back,” a fashion expert shared with Bored Panda.
Ivas believes that the “Mob Wife” aesthetic has resurged due to several factors. The re-streaming of The Sopranos and the cyclical nature of fashion trends have played a significant role.
She also noted the influence of other films like American Hustle, which has been re-streamed recently. Viewers who may have missed the original release are now drawn to Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Rosalyn Rosenfeld, and her style.
Ivas emphasized the powerful impact of TV and movies on fashion. Costume designers, who bring screenwriters’ visions to life, often create the initial inspiration for new trends.
Mob Wives star Drita D’Avanzo has reacted to the trend on TikTok, adding her own perspective on the resurgence of the mob wife aesthetic.
Ivas pointed out that Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in Married to the Mob (1988) predates The Sopranos. This film inspired Leah McSweeney, a cast member of The Real Housewives of New York, to start her own streetwear brand with the same name.
The growing popularity of vintage and thrift shopping has also contributed to the trend. This sustainable practice often leads to the discovery of affordable fur coats from previous eras, further fueling the “mob wife” aesthetic.
Ivas concluded by referencing the final scene of Sex and the City, where Sarah Jessica Parker’s character is seen wearing a long fur coat. This iconic moment showcases the enduring appeal of this style, which continues to be revisited in movies and other media.
