Clean girl aesthetic is out and mob wife glamour is in, according to TikTok

TikTok has introduced us to a huge amount of trends over the last couple of years. The “mob wife” aesthetic is just beginning to go viral on TikTok with 1.1 million views and counting, and is set to be the biggest trend for 2024, according to jewellery and style experts.

“It is our time to shine as girlies who love makeup, who love jewellery, who love faux fur”, says TikTok user Sarah Arcuri, an Italian American housewife known as the “CEO” of the mob wife aesthetic – in a video that has racked up 1.6M views in the past three days.

Say goodbye to minimal makeup, slicked back buns and neutral colour palettes and welcome faux fur coats, heavy winged liner and french tips, says Arwa Hassan, in-house style director at PRYA. The “mob wife” aesthetic has been described as the opposite of the “clean girl aesthetic” that has dominated in recent months.

What is the “mob wife” aesthetic?

The mob wife aesthetic is often associated with a glamorous and extravagant style inspired by the portrayal of women in organised crime related films, TV shows and popular culture. Carmela Soprano of “The Sopranos” has been named one of the founding mothers of the “mob wife” style.

“The aesthetic is characterised by a combination of luxury, sophistication and a strong sense of confidence. It embraces bold glamour, statement jewellery and is the complete opposite of the clean girl aesthetic”, says Arwa.

How to nail the “mob wife” aesthetic, according to PRYA

Fashion
“Mob wives are often in entirely black garments, if you can add some exotic fabrics and materials, such as snakeskin or leather even better. Vintage faux fur coats and luxurious accessories are a staple of the mob wife aesthetic, symbolising wealth and extravagance. The style doesn’t shy away from bold patterns, play around with animal print, checks or bold floral patterns.”

Statement jewellery
“The mob wife aesthetic is characterised by large gold rings, chunky necklaces and chains, lots of diamonds and statement hoop earrings. It draws inspiration from classic, timeless and vintage looking pieces, reminiscent of the glamorous mid-20th century. It’s important you opt for gold, the bigger the better.

“Large rings are a significant element of the mob wife aesthetic. They may feature significant gemstones, intricate designs or family symbols, serving as both fashionable accessories and status symbols.”

Voluminous hair
“Mob wives typically sport polished and voluminous hairstyles, often with big curls or waves. These styles exude a sense of glamour and evoke a classic, Old Hollywood look.”

Full glam
“Move over clean girl makeup, full glam is back. The makeup associated with a mob wife is characterised by a bold and glamorous look that complements the style. It often draws inspiration from classic Hollywood glamour, think full coverage foundation, bold eyeliner, smokey eyes and vibrant lip colours.”

Confidence
“Arguably the most important step, mob wives typically exude confidence, carrying themselves with poise and elegance. They tend to have a sense of authority and control, so this is the energy to channel as we head into 2024. Channel inner confidence, embrace boss-like behaviour and enter your mob wife era.”