The mob wife aesthetic is just the latest in a series of trends that have taken over social media, and the look has subsequently been dominating winter fashion. But don’t be misled: The rise of the mob wife aesthetic is not a call for people to start engaging in a life of violence or crime. Rather, the trend is about embodying the confidence and self-assured nature of Hollywood’s classic mob wives — think Edie Falco or Drea de Matteo in “The Sopranos,” Sharon Stone in “Casino” or Lorraine Bracco in “Goodfellas” — and along with it, the sultry and often decadent nature of their style.
Though, seeing a trend and knowing how to recreate it at home can be two different things.
That’s why we spoke with stylists to break down what the mob wife aesthetic is all about, where you can shop for pieces and some tips on how to make this trend your own.
What is the mob wife aesthetic?
Until recently, the clean girl and quiet luxury trends, which call for minimalistic, simply-styled outfits that often rely on high-end basics, dominated fashion influencers’ social media feeds. By contrast, the mob wife look is a much more maximalist one.
New York City-based fashion stylist Liz Teich says that younger generations might even be using the mob wife aesthetic as a way to rebel against the high-price tag of quiet luxury items. Rather than spending hundreds on a subdued, quiet look, the mob wife aesthetic is loud and in your face, encouraging the use of flashy and grandiose pieces to draw attention to yourself and your presumed wealth.
“We’re trying to show status through these over-the-top silhouettes, like a big fur coat, big earrings,” says Teich. “Just not hiding from trying to be seen.”
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How to look like a mob wife
The starting point of the mob wife look is typically a simple all-black outfit, which is then adorned with eye-catching statement pieces like lush faux-fur coats, bold jewelry, boots and even some animal-print accessories.
“Think black on black: [a] black, faux-fur shrug or faux-fur jacket or even leather,” says Danielle Gilbert, a fashion stylist for Nordstrom. “Then add a more avant-garde scarf or something of that nature. It doesn’t have to be faux fur or vintage fur. Just think all black and chic.”
And because the trend is inspired by characters from yesteryear, so are the clothes, which likely means you — or someone in your family — already have pieces that can help create the ideal mob wife look.
“You have big sunglasses. You have some kind of gold hoop earring. You have a red lip, [and] some kind of vintage or faux fur somewhere,” says Gilbert. “Not wearing it one by one, but now you put it all together, and that’s the trend we’re talking about.”
The mob wife aesthetic is just the latest in a long line of trendy style movements churned out by influencers on TikTok and Instagram — from clean girl minimalism to cottagecore, Barbiecore, balletcore and coastal grandmother, there seems to be a new trend every few weeks. So, how can the average fashionista keep up?
“Focus on having core pieces that you feel great in,” says Teich. “Then you can add a piece here or there every season of these trends to make you feel like you can do them, but you don’t have to do them.”
She recommends adopting an 80/20 rule for your closet. “Eighty percent of your wardrobe is like the key core staples that you’re gonna want to invest in and have forever,” says Teich. “Then the [remaining] 20%, you can have fun.”
If you’re inspired to try out the mob wife aesthetic, we’ve rounded up some stylist-advised picks and ideas to help keep you on-trend.
Mob wife coats
If you do want to play around with seasonal trends, Teich recommends using services like Rent the Runway. “It’s a great way especially with a small, tight closet,” says Teich. “[And] you’re not hurting the environment by buying all this new stuff and shopping fast fashion.” This NVLT coat is great for adding texture on top of your everyday looks.
Nuuly is another option for maintaining a low-commitment relationship with trendy fashion pieces. With a $98 per month subscription, you can strut the streets in coats like this Orient Express Coat?from the vegan-fur label Unreal Fur.
The best jackets to wear are the ones we already have, but if you can’t find a faux-fur coat in your closet, family members’ closets or at a second-hand store, Teich recommends sourcing a new jacket from a sustainable label like Pixie Market. This oversized Phoebe jacket looks great with a casual denim look or dressed up and paired with sleek all-black garments.
But not everything has to be fur. Mob wives love leather too. This BlankNYC coat is the best of both worlds with a faux-fur collar and cuffs accenting the faux-leather coat’s trench style
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get the mob wife look either. Reviewers love this jacket’s fierce and feminine style but also that it actually kept them warm during winter nights out.
Looking for more of a personality piece? Grab a jacket in a nontraditional color, like this Mauve option from ASTR The Label.
For those who want a mob wife look with Y2K flair, look no further than this green faux-leather jacket from Show Me Your Mumu.
Mob wife tops
When it comes to fit, the mob wife aesthetic is all about tight, body-con pieces. And what fits that brief better than a bodysuit? Made of soft, sweater-knit fabric, you can grab this flattering option in five different colors.
If you don’t already have a trusty black long-sleeve top, grab this one from Amazon for layering under coats or wearing on its own.?
For the mob wife who also might have to take a lunch or business meeting, you can’t go wrong with the classic cut of these tailored button-ups from Banana Republic, which come in White, Black and Preppy Navy.
Animal prints have also seen a big resurgence during the mob wife era. “Find that leopard boot that you might have thrown back in your closet,” says Gilbert, “or a leopard clutch or a leopard coat.” And if you don’t have those on hand, try out a top like this leopard-print one from Urban Outfitters.??
And when all-black and prints don’t fit the bill, go for a bold pop of red instead with this long-sleeve crew neck shirt from Target.
This Emmy Silk Top from Reformation is ideal for those who want an elevated mob wife look. With a deep, plunging neckline and a relaxed fit, this top lets everyone know who is really in charge.
Mob wife bottoms
Odds are, you probably already have a go-to all-black outfit in your wardrobe. And while the mob wife look is about opulence, Teich says that for some people, it’s best to stick with basics like black jeans and let key pieces like a fur coat or fun boot amp up the look. “You don’t have to try so hard to to really fit into this aesthetic,” says Teich. “Otherwise you’ll feel kind of like a costume.”
These vegan leather pants are a great option for when you want an all-black look that has a little more pizzazz to it. They’re available in four different lengths, so you can get the pair that best flatters your legs.
Mob wives have casual days too. But instead of a relaxed fit jean, stay true to the body-hugging nature of the aesthetic with a pair of slim, straight jeans like this pair from Levi’s. And of course, adorn the look with accessories like jewelry and a belt in true mob wife fashion.
This lightweight midi slip skirt makes a great addition to any mob wife-inspired look, but it is also a great staple piece to wear year-round. Plus, it comes in sizes from XS to 4XL.
And if you want a slightly longer option, this Madewell maxi skirt is beloved by reviewers and comes in five stunning satin finishes.
If you prefer the look of short skirts over long ones, try out a skort, which will help you get the look with extra coverage.
For a mob wife winter, you’re going to need some tights to go under your skirts. We love these Sheertex tights that hold up wear after wear and come fleece-lined for extra warmth.
And if you’re not feeling black stockings with your look, try these Wolford printed tights to add some flair to your leg line.
Mob wife dresses
A fitted black dress makes the perfect base layer for the mob wife look. This ASOS dress is made of jersey material for a soft and stretchy fit.
With dramatic, wrap-skirt draping, this mock-neck dress can easily work under a coat to help achieve the mob wife look or stand alone as a closet staple in your wardrobe.
Channel the essence of a ’70s mob wife on a night out with the help of this sequin mock-neck gown.?
Grab this Reformation knit minidress and your favorite pair of knee-high boots for a simple and chic look. The hardest part will be deciding whether to snag it in black, red or brown.
This versatile rib-knit dress from Old Navy is not only great for casual day-to-day wear but it looks great when belted and paired with your favorite statement boots or heels.
Ready to commit to the print? The only things this leopard-print jumpsuit needs are some hoops, a pair of pumps and a jacket to complete the look.
Mob wife shoes
If you’ve been scrolling through mob wife aesthetic photos on social media, you’ll see lots of outfits styled with tall, sleek boots. Whether thigh-high, knee-high or slightly below the knee like this Steve Madden pair, you can’t go wrong with classic tall boots.
These Sam Edelman ankle boots are also mob wife-approved with a gold buckle details, square toes and stiletto-style heels.
For those who aren’t huge heel fans, a chunky loafer works just as well to complete your mob wife look.
Few things scream statement shoe more than a pair of red pumps. These 4-inch, pointed-toe stiletto pumps are made to lengthen the leg line. And while they might not be an everyday shoe, they’re a surefire way to dazzle for a special occasion.
For a whole slew of print options, shop these Sam Edelman pumps that currently come in an astonishing 37 colors and finishes, including animal print, metallic and printed fabric finishes.
Mob wives’ feet deserve a break too. So, when you’re ready to put the heels away but still want to stay on theme, go for accessorized flats like this Dolce Vita pair with a gold chain details.
Mob wife accessories
The mob wife look is an opulent one. Which means you can lean hard into accessories to help create a more cohesive and elevated look. Gilbert recommends gold jewelry, like a pair of large gold hoops, especially if they’re vintage inspired.?
No self-respecting mob wife would ever be seen without her nails perfectly manicured. While a square nail shape might be more in-line with traditional TV mob wives, we like the more modern almond shape of these Static nails, which boast a silver border around the tip.
Teich reminds us that when it comes to animal prints, “you don't have to do it in a big way.” It can be as simple as adding a printed scarf or playing with small pieces, like this leopard-print belt, which can help you stay on-trend without feeling too costumey.
Use something like this scarf from Anthropologie to polish off your mob wife look and break up an all-black or neutral color palette. Wear it either tied around your neck or worn headband-style.
Both fashionable and functional during the winter months, leather gloves have been a fashion staple for generations. Round out your mob wife-inspired outfit with a pair of these Dsane gloves that add an elegant touch.
Gone are the minimalist jewelry looks of spring and summer; now is the era of statement pieces. We’ve already seen an increase in eye-catching earrings, but Teich says big, chunky necklaces are likely to make a resurgence too. Stay on-trend with this chunky chain necklace from Hey Harper, which is also waterproof and made to withstand daily wear.?
Let your wrists enjoy some gold shine too with this Timex Cavatina watch, which has a dainty watch face and slim silhouette that’s perfect for wearing with other bracelets.?
What’s more opulent than being coated in dazzling diamonds? These diamond studs from Mejuri are made with responsibly sourced, natural diamonds and surrounded by 14k solid gold.
Add extra attitude to your ensemble with these ’90s inspired sunglasses that come in Black, Cream and Brown Multi.
Unlike previous trends focused on minimalism and a “clean” look, the mob wife is maximalism in all aspects, not just clothes and accessories. “If you love makeup, this is definitely more of the trend for you,” says Teich. While you’ll still want to find a balance with your own personal makeup preferences, neutral nude shades like Park Side from Bobbi Brown are great for adding a more dramatic pop to your lips.
Whether you’re going for a sultry, smoky eye look or just rocking a fierce cat-eye look, this Danessa Myricks liner will help you paint on your vision with precision.
And of course, every mob wife needs a chic bag in which to stow her essentials. This retro-style handbag will match perfectly with an all-black look or beautifully complement your favorite statement coat.?
