Mob Wife Aesthetic: The New Trend Taking Over TikTok
Vsco Girl, Dark Academia, Clean Girl — the internet is no stranger to new aesthetics taking over social media. This time it’s the “Mob Wife Aesthetic.”
Like every trend, this one was also born on TikTok. The trend shows women, with no apparent relation to mafioso, decked out in fur coats, leather, and leopard prints. In addition to the outfits, the aesthetic also brings back the bold glamour makeup looks from 2016—a shift away from the Clean Girl aesthetic, which was extremely popular in 2023.
@trovlov Heard we’re in our mob wife era #mobwife #mobwifeaesthetic #outfitideas #styleinspo #nycinfluencer ♬ Mob Wife Energy Activate – The Sweet Paisana
The aesthetic’s rise comes in time for the 25 anniversary of The Sopranos. Many users on the app find the timing suspicious; some even went as far as stating it might be a “planted” trend from HBO. Jason Mulderig, a spokesman for HBO, called the trend “a testament to ‘The Sopranos’ and its enduring impact on culture.”
Edie Falco, the actress who portrayed Carmela Soprano, the character on whom this trend is based, spoke about the rise in popularity of the fur coat look. “The Sopranos had nothing on the violence of the fur industry, which gasses, electrocutes, and peels the skin off animals while they’re still alive. No matter if it’s new or vintage, torture doesn’t belong in our closets,” the actress stated. “So, if you’re after the trending Carmela Soprano-inspired ‘mob wife’ aesthetic, I suggest grabbing one of the many faux furs out there and leaving animals out of it,” Falco emphasized.
Mulderig continued “As we celebrate the 25 anniversary this month, it’s no surprise that fans and creators have found inspiration from the series.” However, Mulderig didn’t admit to creating the trend. As it goes with TikTok trends, users are romanticizing the mob wife aesthetic. However, real ex-mob wives are coming forward on TikTok to state that this lifestyle is “not a makeup look” or a “clothing look.”
@anonymousally198 Replying to @Rachel you’re SPOT ON RACHEL!! Mob wife makeup vs clean girl makeup. Mob wife makeup is not makeup, its a lifestyle and if you're not ITALIAN, you just look silly. Mob wife aesthetic is just a costume of decades of womens pain. #mobwifeaesthetic #mobwife #cleangirlaesthetic #makeuplooktrends #mobwifemakeup ♬ original sound – Ally K
TikTok creator Ally K explains, “It’s knowing every trip — especially out to dinner, is going to include some random stops and parking lots where you have to play lookout and being able to scan the room, scan the restaurant, the casino. Or while you’re driving to know if you got burned or not.” She continues, “And if you weren’t born into it, it’s losing everything you ever loved, looking like an idiot.”
The TikToker sheds light on the dark side of this trend. “I’m not down with telling people what they can and cannot wear, but I’m just telling you that the ‘Mob Wife’ aesthetic is actually putting on a costume of decades of women’s pain.” She continues, “And I was one of them.”
As TikTok users navigate the ever-evolving world of internet aesthetics, one thing is for sure – the “Mob Wife” aesthetic is just a costume, not a lifestyle to look forward to.
