The “mob wife” or “mafiosa” embodies a woman with bold sexual charisma, who has struggled to build an empire and isn’t afraid to show it off with designer sunglasses and flashy accessories. Draped in gold chains and fur, she struts in high leather boots, with provocative and alluring makeup. “The mob wife is bold, tough, adventurous, and emancipated,” explains Sarah Jordan Arcuri (120,000 followers on Instagram), a 29-year-old American-Italian from New Jersey, the originator of this trend. Indeed, those who adopt this look also adopt a mindset: far from being a “trophy wife,” they flaunt their expensive jewelry and handbags without a man on their arm.
This trend has not escaped the attention of one of its most fervent messengers, Francis Ford Coppola. “I heard that the aesthetic of the mafioso wife is making a comeback,” wrote the director of the cult trilogy “The Godfather” in an Instagram post. On TikTok, influencers are loving all the “mob wife” accessories, but with a 2024 twist; faux fur (of course), leopard prints, form-fitting stockings, cascading gold jewelry, and bling-bling chain belts to cinch the waist. For the perfect mob wife makeup, TikTok personality Mikayla Nogueira (15.3 million followers) advises “smoky eyes,” kohl, plenty of false eyelashes, and dark red lipstick, all topped with a voluminous 1980s-style blowout.
The codes of high society and the “clean girl” trend promoting minimalism no longer have a place on the podium. This success is undoubtedly owed to pop culture and its mafia films that have created the style of these female characters, not admired for their polished beauty, but for their charisma and strength. Think of Elvira Hancock, beautifully portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in “Scarface” (1983), Connie in Coppola’s “The Godfather,” Carmela in the 25-year-old series “The Sopranos,” or more recently Polly Gray in the series “Peaky Blinders.” Recently, another series has reinforced this trend with the release of “Griselda” on Netflix, recounting the story of a Colombian cocaine baroness in Miami during the 1970s-1980s.
It is simply about feeling good, boosting self-confidence, and emancipation. It’s not just for Italian-American women, but for all women who want it,” she concludes.