Gangsters, undergrounds, extravagance, and the undying glamour of the 70s and 80s. These elements serve as the inspiration behind the latest beauty trend that has pervaded the fashion scene recently: the all-glitzy ‘mob wife aesthetic’. Marking an obvious divergence from the well-loved ‘clean girl’ style which hinges on the understated, this revived aesthetic is epitomised by its commanding style, exuding luxury and sophistication in every detail just like the personas who helmed it – the powerful film mob wives themselves.
Living in the world of transgressions and crime scapes, these style icons deck themselves in voluminous clothings and fierce makeup looks – smudged eyeliners and vibrant sweeps of lipstick, – knowing all too well that their presence can never be dismissed. At its heart, this trend (which skyrocketed on TikTok) is rooted in the acts of asserting one’s worth and standing on business – and what better way to portray this than embodying the allure of popular culture’s iconic mob wives.
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Taking cues from these representations, the aesthetic breeds modern reiterations that echo the fancies of today’s fashion lovers while still honouring the core features – think, flashy jewellery and massive fur coats.
A mob wife, though, is more than a mere title – rather, it’s an image of femininity where both strength and vulnerability exist equally, and grace and resilience are balanced. She is the moment, and she is the incarnation of all desires. That makes the ‘mob wife’ more of an energy that one should emulate, and this trend is the perfect way to do precisely that.
Behold, a compilation of the most iconic mob wives to have graced the cinemas – we’d recommend you watch them and then of course, busy yourselves with recreating their style!
Virginia Hill in Bugsy (1991)
A tough-talking starlet who falls in love with a gangster, Virginia Hill is the textbook definition of a moll. She abandoned her dream for the show business, instead embroiling herself in criminal businesses with her boyfriend, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. Being a biographical film, Bugsy chronicles the lives of these two outlaws and the highs and tumults. Virginia is a woman who knows to stand her ground, one whom you’d rather not mess with; her style comprises mainly georgette dresses, statement jewellery pieces and her signature hot red lipstick.
Watch the film here.
Rosalyn Rosenfeld in American Hustle (2013)
It is the late 70s and New York City is far from a stranger to crimes. Cue Rosalyn Rosenfeld, the unstable and cleverly manipulative wife of con artist Irving who has been forced by an FBI agent to plot a classified operation. Rosalyn’s strong envy of her husband’s ‘work’ relationship is only exacerbated by her melodramatic personality. Her signature updo hairstyle features throughout the movie and fittingly complements her ostentatious wardrobe of animal print garments, asymmetrical dresses and fur-heavy frills that appear in shades of mostly gold, crème and bronze.
Watch the film here.
Connie Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974)
The sole daughter of kingpin Vito Corleone who was spoiled since young, Connie Corleone is one of the only few with the power to influence her father’s course of action. Made a widow at a young age upon her husband’s murder, she gets entangled in a series of trifling affairs and senseless marriages to deal with her grief. This second instalment of the trilogy witnesses Connie’s wild years as well as her reconciliation with her brother Michael, the future Don of the Corleone family. A woman as charismatic as she is sly, Connie is the epitome of a sultry, entrancing Italian princess. Her most popular look features a red silk dress paired with a black fur coat, embellished with a breathtaking diamanté necklace.
Watch the film here.
Angela de Marco in Married to the Mob (1988)
It’s all about the bling for Angela de Marco, the wife of up-and-coming Long Mafia don “Cucumber” Frank de Marco. She expresses a strong yearning to escape the criminal underworld with her son and when her husband is soon killed, we watch her journey from kept mafia wife to an independent single mum. Never once does Angela compromise on her fashion though, with her bold and stylish aesthetic acting as a shining beacon throughout. Picture, leopard-print dress paired with cinched belts and flawlessly worn hair and showy jewellery pieces as a finishing touch – Angela made the mob wife aesthetic wholly hers.
Watch the film here.
Patrizia Reggiani in House of Gucci (2021)
Playing out in the late 70s to early 80s, the crime drama recounts the tale of Patrizia Reggiani, a former socialite and her relationship with ex-husband Maurizio Gucci as they fight over the possession rights of Gucci. That aside, if there is one other thing to remember Patrizia by, it would be her audacious style realised through well-tailored fits that flattered her frame and accentuated her waistline. In this particular still, Patrizia is pictured in an archival Yves Saint Laurent alongside a vintage mink coat; her go-to looks consist of lace dresses, fur coats, gaudy gems and of course, pronounced makeup that enhances her features.
Watch the film here.
Ginger McKenna in Casino (1995)
The personification of showgirl chic, Ginger McKenna is certainly one of popular culture’s most-loved mob wives – the partner of expert handicapper Sam “Ace” Rothstein, Ginger fancied drugs, gambling and a lot of jewels. Her style mirrors the glam of the 70s with a copious amount of gold, trinkets and fur – she is seen throughout the film with her big wavy hair styled in a number of coiffures. Whatever the event was, in the casino or out in town, her attire always exuded an aura of sophistication and elegance. Her brightly-coloured seductive ensembles adorned with intricate embroidery and beading established Ginger as a style trailblazer of her time, and beyond.
Watch the film here.
Featured image by cinemacrime on Instagram | Images from Pinterest.