TikTok and Instagram have spoken, and a new trend in fashion known as “mob wife aesthetic” is officially all the rage.
Nearly 40,000 #mobwife posts (and climbing) can’t be wrong.
From Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano on the massive HBO hit “The Sopranos” to Michelle Pfeiffer in the crime movie “Scarface,” these ladies’ looks (big hair, animal prints, red lipstick, faux fur coats) are blowing up in a huge way.
The appeal lies in the confidence a mob wife aesthetic exudes, and the controlled chaos of maximalism (i.e., wearing all your gold chains at once).
Not ready to overhaul your wardrobe with silky prints and leather jackets? You could try a toned-down version in your home that will still exude boldness.
“Channeling the essence of the mob wife aesthetic into home decor means blending sophistication, power, and a dash of rebellion,” explains Ariel Barrionuevo,designer and manager atLa Coralina Island House.
He also notes these home looks should strive for a mix of luxury and lavish living that the iconic mob wives’ roles are known for.
In fact, the trending tagline “Clean girl out, mob wife in” is an excellent place to begin. Say bye-bye to simple, minimalist decor in all shades of beige, and embrace more exuberant patterns, bright colors, and shiny finishes instead.
To help you get the mob wife look in your rooms, check out each iconic TV or movie character and the decor detail she inspires.
‘The Sopranos’: Carmela and fur
Carmela Soprano wore a lot of furs over six seasons of “The Sopranos.” At the funeral of Jackie April Jr., she and the other mob wives who ruled over North Caldwell, NJ, all wore gorgeous full-length fur coats. In another episode, her husband, Tony Soprano, presents her with a fabulous sable that conveniently “fell off a truck.”
But, of course, the real deal isn’t practical in the home.
The fix: Consider a couple of faux fur throws on your bed for chilly nights or fluffy furlike pillows on the couch.
“Just be sure the bold textures you select, like fur, are used in moderation,” counsels Barrionuevo.
‘Casino’: Sharon Stone and gold
Sharon Stone played Las Vegas mob wife Ginger McKenna in “Casino,” who will forever be remembered for her sparkly outfits. One in particular—a long, snug, gold-on-gold gown with intricate embroidery and sequins—might serve as a touchstone for metal tones in the home.
There’s no need for actual gold leaf, however. Brushed gold and matte brass achieve the same look with less bling.
“Too much bright gold or overdoing this accent can verge on gaudy,” notes Barrionuevo.
Try gold touches on lamps or artwork or threaded into a colorful area rug.
‘Goodfellas’: Lorraine Bracco and sparkles
Photo by Alan Schatzberg & Associates, Inc.
Lorraine Bracco‘s character, Karen Hill, marries into the Lucchese crime family and settles down to a life of crime in Rockville Centre, NY. She glows in one memorable scene, wearing a black dress with a glittery overlay. Shiny objects in the home are easy to install—and giving them lots of room to be appreciated makes sense.
Look overhead in this instance, including sparkling chandeliers or shiny wallpaper on the ceiling.
Other home details that work in this vein include “a crisp leather couch, a lacquered accent chair, and a marble table,” suggests Monica Breese, founder of New York City–based home design and staging firm The Designed Domicilio and a real estate broker with Compass.
She adds that layering pieces on a coffee table in the type of room shown here is also very “mob wife” in the home.
“Try an ashtray that doubles as a catchall and some beautiful Rizzoli books about Capri—you’re going for a somber look with sparks of glitz,” Breese says.
‘Scarface’: Michelle Pfeiffer and jewel tones
Photo by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
Michelle Pfeiffer‘s mob wife is Elvira Hanco*ck, and she marries Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino in this classic flick. Elvira has a rocky life with her hubs in Miami and sadly ends up addicted to cocaine. But along the way, she wears several stunning dresses, including one with a plunging neckline in sapphire blue silk.
Subtle? Nah, the mob wife aesthetic is anything but. Still, you can try this bold hue in a small way, as shown above, in this butler’s pantry. Royal blue is also a lovely look in a powder room or on the walls of a small dining room.
‘The Sopranos’: Drea de Matteo and animal print
Zebra patterns, leopard print, tiger stripes—you name it, Drea de Matteo‘s Adriana La Cerva, the doomed girlfriend to the newly made mob capo Christopher “Chrissy” Moltisanti, wore it skin-tight and head to toe.
But if you go overboard with animal prints, you’ll risk looking like you live in a zoo, says Barrionuevo.
Your best bet? Check out these cozy throw pillows with a large leopard paw print. They’re an ideal complement to the quiet palette here (white fur rug, beige couches, creamy paint).
