Did you wake up this morning, scroll on TikTok, and then immediately start researching how to wear the mob wife aesthetic — the latest Internet obsession that is sweeping social media/ruining my life? Then welcome!! As an Italian-American Jersey Girl™️ who has been coveting Adriana La Cerva’s style from The Sopranos for decades, I feel uniquely equipped to guide you through the latest style craze.
Over the summer the look was all about tomato girl style — silk scarves in the hair, basket bags, little slip dresses, and strappy sandals. As a Mediterranean broad with an obsession with Sicilian old ladies and a deep hatred for cut-off denim, I’d been dressing like this for years before it became a thing. As most true tomato girls can attest to, once the weather gets cold, we curl up into our cocoons and emerge around December in full mob wife aesthetic. I’m talking faux fur, gold jewelry, leopard print — the works. And what’s not to love?! I mean, have you seen Carmela Soprano?! Do you know how good everyone’s ass looks in leather?
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So I myself went through my transformation around Christmas this year, only to wake up and realize that TikTok has already caught on to the mob wife trend. In a way, I’m a little pissed tbqh. I’ve held tight to my gold jewelry as you all told me that silver was in. I’d get chuckles whenever I’d decry leopard print as a neutral. And now y’all want in?!?!
But, because I am on a path to be a little bit less of a bitch in 2024, I’ve decided to take my expertise and share it with you. So keep scrolling — I’m laying out the basics of Italian-American Mob Wife style just below.
Leopard Print
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Leopard print isn’t a pattern. It’s a way of life. Now while I’m typically one to say that you can wear leopard print in any iteration, from hats to bags to bras, the true mob wife aesthetic sticks to classics: Pants, dresses, coats, and blouses.
Lots of Leather
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Jackets! Pants! Leggings! Skirts! The options for leather are endless when it comes to the mob wife aesthetic. At the very least, you need a sleek leather jacket and some leather pants to get you through the chillier months. But do you love a leather jumpsuit (like the one I wore in Berlin, above)? That is more than fair game. In fact, you may shoot to the top of the mob wife pyramid with that move.
Fur (Faux…or Not)
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I get it, I get it! Fur is super controversial. I’m not here to tell you to run out and get a mink coat like Tony got Carmela in season two, but if you want to truly capture the mob wife aesthetic a little fur is necessary. If you’re not into a coat, opt for touches of fur as accents — like on the collar of a sweater.
Muted Colors
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No mob wife would ever be caught dead in a bright color in the winter. (And being caught dead in the winter is a distinct possibility here!!) Colorful caftans and Pucci-inspired dresses for the summer? Sure. But mob wives go for deep, muted colors and patterns in the winter. And it’s important to never mix too many colors in a single outfit. Stick to one palette and you’ll be in good shape.
Bodycon Dresses
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“I love that dress, it shows off your figure!!” That was the *ultimate* compliment I could have ever received from my Italian grandmother. That’s because we Italian broads have no time for baggy, sack-like dresses. Tight is the way to go, but you’re in luck — the mob wife aesthetic is also about stretchy fabrics, so at least you’ll be comfortable!
Gold Jewelry
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You know those people who keep saying silver is coming back? Absolutely not!!!! Gold is the way to go to capture the mob wife aesthetic. Bonus points for a nameplate necklace with a few diamonds to accent it. (We get them for our first communions, but non-Catholics can still rock the look.)
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