Barbiecore had it's moment. Maximalism is now in the forefront and it has translated into what's being referred to as "The Mob Wife Aesthetic".
If you recall the role played by Sharon Stone in the movie "Casino" (1995) you will have some idea of how the aesthetic plays out. Most recently Hailey Bieber has channeled it and Lady Gaga appears to flaunt it on occasion in her street style looks.
The Mob Wife Aesthetic is not just about the outfits they step out in. It's a feeling of empowerment and confidence, and a bad-ass mentality that commands respect. This means if you want to participate in the trend you will need to exude the same unbridled confidence in yourself as would a true-to-life mob wife.
While you work on that, let's break down how your Mob Wife Aesthetic can be created using fashion, accessories, and makeup!
Oversize Faux Fur Coats & Jackets
Every mob wife has a fur coat because she typically resides in a cold climate in Chicago, Detroit or New York. Although her bad-ass mentality cares not about the cruel fur industry, don't worry because faux fur is perfectly fine for the look. Any faux fur will work as long as it is bulky and oversized. You can choose a long-haired version in wolf or fox or an animal print of leopard or cheetah. The mob wives you've seen in the movies and TV series have proudly worn some ostentatious forms of them, ranging from cropped long-haired pea-coats to floor-grazing mammoth styles. The coats represent their wealth and status in the mob hierarchy. Look for similar versions in local retailers like Michael KORS, Zara, Guess and Alo Yoga.
Photo: Michael KORS Faux Fur / Pinterest.com
Black Leather Coats & Jackets
The Mob Wife Aesthetic is dark and sultry and what better way to achieve this than with black leather coats and jackets. You can make it work with a biker-style belted one or with a floor-length trench-style that sweeps the ground. Nina Ricci has a beautiful long trench that perfectly epitomizes the persona, and SIMONS carries a Vero Moda model at an affordable price point. Luxury biker jackets can be obtained through MACKAGE or AllSaints, and less costly versions can be found at ZARA and H&M.
Photo: Nina Ricci at Farfetch / Pinterest.com
The Catsuit
The Mob Wife Aesthetic wouldn't be complete without a demure catsuit! If you are confident enough to wear one outside the bedroom good on you! There's a black leopard-print version at guiltyofglam.com that is off the rails! It's the perfect garment to wear under your faux fur. Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa know this full well. For everyday though, you may want to tone it down. SPANX offers "The Perfect Jumpsuit", a catsuit/bodysuit style you can wear in your daily life. SKIMS Square-Neck Low-Back Catsuit is another good choice. Norma Kamali has some interesting patterned versions and Venus has a shimmery black sequin one that is perfect for the evening.
Photo: Black Leopard-Print Catsuit at guiltyofglam.com /
Leather and Vinyl Skirts
You can also create a Mob Wife Aesthetic using leather and vinyl skirts like the one worn by Sharon Stone in "Casino" (1995). A replica of her skirt by Courreges in robin's egg should be easy to find this Spring as pale blue shades are right on trend. There are leather versions of it at Nordstrom and Danier, or a vegan silver one at Abercrombie & Fitch. Or, you can do black leather or vegan like the mini skirts found at Maniere De Voir, Club Monaco, and Aritzia.
Photo: Black Leather Mini Skirt by us.manieredevoir.com /
Designer Handbags
The mob wife handbag is another reflection of their status so it will be expensive, or at least appear that way. They can either be sleek and structured to match their shiny leather coats, or contrasting animal prints. You want to emulate a sophisticated, business-like appearance so don't choose anything too girly. Go with a Prada rectangular-shaped leather tote or the Kate Spade Dumpling Large Satchel. If you love animal print the Michael KORS Ruby Leopard Printed Small Tote, the Stella McCartney Leopard Print Stella Logo Tote, and the Celine Pony-Hair Leopard-Print Luggage Tote are good choices for this look.
Photo: Celine Pony-Hair Leopard-Print Luggage Tote at
Go For Gold!
The traditional mob wives in movies like "Casino" (1995) wore a lot of gold jewelry and with it being right back on trend you won't have any trouble finding it. Mason & Madison Co. have some affordable gold chunky chain necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are perfect for the look. Mejuri has some thick gold vermeil hoop earrings and rings that work well and wellDUNN Jewelry has solid gold jewelry handmade in Canada that won't break the bank. Lavender and Grace Designs based in Kelowna, BC carry nickel and lead-free and gold-filled chain necklaces and rings at really great price points as well. This aesthetic requires lots of layering and in fact, more is more!
Photo: "Casino" (1995) starring Robert De Niro and
Sharon Stone by vogue.co.uk / Pinterest.com
Big Hair!
Get used to pumping up the volume when styling your hair for this aesthetic because mob wives like Carmela Soprano played by Edie Falco in the 2007 hit series "The Sopranos" wore it voluminous and glamorous! Curl it with big rollers, spray it and pin it up in a messy updo, or pull it back under a wide-brimmed hat.
Photo: Edie Falco in "The Sopranos" (2007)
The Key Accessory
The one accessory you will need to pull off the sullen vibe of the mob wife is a pair of black-out sunglasses. These will give you the persona of someone who holds secrets and the air of sophistication of a woman with power and confidence. The Christian Dior DiormidnightB1i cat-eye acetate sunglasses will give you that persona, or more budget-friendly versions like The Milano Sunglasses by ADAE Jewelry, or the plastic square sunglasses by A New Day at target.com will also do the trick.
Photo: Christian Dior DiormidnightB1i cat-eye acetate
sunglasses at net-a-porter.com / Pinterest.com
Mob Wife Makeup
Mob wives are masters of deception and their makeup reflects this. Find good corrective concealer palettes like Lise Watier Portfolio Correctors to hide any facial flaws you might have. Their foundation is understandably full-coverage like SeneGence MakeSense Advanced Anti-Aging Foundation*. A good body bronzer like SeneGence Self-Tanning Bronzing Coconut Milk* will give you their Vegas vacation glow. The eyes are dark and smokey so choose chocolate brown or charcoal eyeshadow shades like SeneGence ShadowSense Mocha Java or Granite*. Your eyeliner should be smudged and your mascara black and voluminous. The best eyeliner on the market for achieving the smokey eye is Charlotte Tilbury's Eye Powder Pencil in Classic Black. Yves Saint Laurent's Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara is rated the best on the market for serious lash length and volume by Good Housekeeping.
Photo: SeneGence MakeSense Advanced Anti-Aging Foundation
Mob Wife Nails
Adriana La Cerva appeared to wear a deep chocolate nail shade in "The Sopranos" series but a classic red nail is traditional. Mob wife nails are perfectly manicured as they can afford frequent salon visits. Get a similar professional salon look with Harper's Bazaar Best Luxury Pick - Dior's signature 999 Red or the more budget-friendly long-lasting Sally Hansen Miracle Gel TM Apollo You Anywhere shade. To get Adriana La Cerva's trendy shade use SeneGence Nail Polish Non-Toxic 17-Free Formula in Cafe Cutie*.
Photo: marrytheemary.com / Pinterest.com
*SeneGence Makeup: https://web.senegence.com/en_ca/distributor/810598