‘Mob wife’ is the flashy fashion look of early 2024 (2024)

OCTOBER 27, 2022

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February 4, 2024
5:34 am

‘Mob wife’ is the flashy fashion look of early 2024 (2)

PARIS—“Mob wife” is the dominant fashion look of early 2024: knowingly over-the-top, even trashy—the tough woman who has fought her way to money and power and isn’t afraid to show it off.

Millions of TikTok users have suddenly become obsessed with the look of women on “Goodfellas,” “Scarface” and “The Sopranos”—or even the cold, hard style of Melania Trump.

The look leans hard on the 1980s—faux fur over lots of black, including tight stockings, leather, Lurex and sky-high heels.It is about being “bold, tough, fearless and unapologetic—all traits I think are admirable, aspirational,” one of the influencers behind the trend, Sarah Jordan Arcuri, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The 29-year-old Italian-American from New Jersey—home of “The Sopranos” of course—has been pushing this aesthetic to her 120,000 Instagram followers for a couple of years.

It is the accessories that really make it: lots of heavy gold bracelets, chain belts and rings stacked on each other.

Reaction to ‘quiet luxury’

“All the gold gifted by your husband. You never take it off,” laughs Arcuri.

TikTok star Mikayla Nogueira (15.3 million followers) posted a wildly popular tutorial on how to do “mob wife” makeup: heavy kohl around the eyes, fake eyelashes and a “dark red lipstick.”

The hair needs some serious volume, ideally an 80s-style perm.

It is a style that has been embraced by social media favorites like Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber.

Naturally, theirs is a somewhat more sophisticated version and they present themselves not as trophy wives but as hard-nosed business magnates in their own right.

In the pendulum swings of fashion, “mob wife” is the natural reaction to last year’s “quiet luxury,” in which the ultrawealthy sought to play down their vast riches with discreet and sober outfits.

Google searches for “mobwife” have increased more than 2,000 percent in the last three months, while its hashtag has gained 161 million views on TikTok, said trend consultancy Journo Research.

Style in ‘Scarface’

Much of this may be fueled by Gen Z’s rediscovery of Michelle Pfeiffer’s style in “Scarface,” recently playing on Netflix, and amusem*nt over Edie Falco’s looks in “The Sopranos,” which has been celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“Griselda,” a new show about a Colombian cocaine baroness in the 1970s and 1980s in Miami, has added to the hype.

READ: Pixel Mafia is Cultivating a Brand-New Generation of Filipino Game Developers

Inevitably, it didn’t take long for a corner of the internet to find something offensive in all this, with claims that fashionistas are guilty of “cultural appropriation” for borrowing from Italian-American mobsters and Latin American narcos.

Arcuri dismisses the criticism.

“It’s just a way of having fun and feeling empowered … It’s not just for Italian-American girls. Anyone has to feel free to join in.”

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or preferences. However, I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article. Let's dive into the fashion trend of "mob wife" and its cultural influences.

The "Mob Wife" Fashion Trend

The fashion trend of "mob wife" refers to a style that is knowingly over-the-top, even trashy, inspired by the tough women who have fought their way to money and power and aren't afraid to show it off. This trend has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with millions of users becoming obsessed with the look of women from movies like "Goodfellas," "Scarface," and TV shows like "The Sopranos."

Key Elements of the "Mob Wife" Look

The "mob wife" fashion look draws heavily from the aesthetics of the 1980s. It incorporates elements such as faux fur, lots of black clothing, including tight stockings and leather, Lurex fabric, and sky-high heels. The style is described as bold, tough, fearless, and unapologetic. It exudes confidence and power.

Influencers and Celebrity Endorsem*nts

Social media influencers, such as Sarah Jordan Arcuri, have played a significant role in popularizing the "mob wife" look. Sarah, an Italian-American influencer from New Jersey, has been promoting this aesthetic to her 120,000 Instagram followers for a couple of years. Celebrities like Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber have also embraced their own versions of the trend, presenting themselves as hard-nosed business magnates.

Accessories and Makeup

The accessories play a crucial role in completing the "mob wife" look. Heavy gold bracelets, chain belts, and stacked rings are commonly used to enhance the style. In terms of makeup, a tutorial by TikTok star Mikayla Nogueira gained popularity, showcasing heavy kohl around the eyes, fake eyelashes, and dark red lipstick. The hair is often styled with volume, reminiscent of the 80s-style perm.

Fashion Trends and Pendulum Swings

The rise of the "mob wife" trend can be seen as a natural reaction to the previous year's "quiet luxury" trend, where the focus was on understated and discreet outfits to downplay vast wealth. Fashion trends often swing back and forth between contrasting styles, reflecting the changing tastes and desires of the public.

Cultural Influences and Criticism

The "mob wife" trend has drawn inspiration from various sources, including movies like "Scarface" and TV shows like "The Sopranos." Additionally, the popularity of the new show "Griselda," which portrays a Colombian cocaine baroness in the 1970s and 1980s, has added to the hype.

However, some critics have accused fashionistas of cultural appropriation, suggesting that borrowing elements from Italian-American mobsters and Latin American narcos is inappropriate. Influencers like Sarah Jordan Arcuri dismiss this criticism, stating that the trend is about having fun and feeling empowered, and anyone should feel free to join in.

Overall, the "mob wife" fashion trend is characterized by its boldness, opulence, and references to powerful women in popular culture. It reflects a cycle of fashion trends and cultural influences that shape the way people express themselves through clothing and style.

‘Mob wife’ is the flashy fashion look of early 2024 (2024)

OCTOBER 27, 2022

Reaction to ‘quiet luxury’

Style in ‘Scarface’

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MORE FROM LIFESTYLE.INQ

FROM THE NICHE TITLES

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

The "Mob Wife" Fashion Trend

Key Elements of the "Mob Wife" Look

Influencers and Celebrity Endorsem*nts

Accessories and Makeup

Fashion Trends and Pendulum Swings

Cultural Influences and Criticism