From Mafia Glam to Modern Chic: Why Taylor Swift and Queen S Are Embracing the Bold ‘Mob Wife’ Trend

The first viral trend of 2024 is the #MobWife look, which has taken TikTok by storm. Fashion icons like Blake Lively have already eagerly jumped on the bandwagon!

Indeed, this unapologetic beauty trend exudes a sense of boldness that aligns perfectly with modern independent women’s aesthetics. Today’s young women are no longer satisfied with just looking smart and capable; they’re now pursuing a more flamboyant and attention-grabbing style to assert their presence!

But how did this trend gain popularity? It turns out that the 25th anniversary celebration of the classic TV series “The Sopranos” this year sparked a wave of nostalgia. Classic films like “The Godfather,” “Casino,” “Goodfellas,” and “Scarface” were all revisited and honored. However, for the fashion world, the focus shifted from the “bosses” to the undeniably striking, dominant, and sexy “wives” of these mob figures.

Consequently, celebrities and influencers alike have embraced this “Mob Wife” trend.

Seasoned stylists have analyzed this as young people’s rebellion against the “old money,” “Quiet Luxury,” and “Clean Fit” trends that have dominated recent years. Indeed, the fashion world has always been a place of diverse expressions, never confined to a single narrative.

Consider Coco Chanel, for instance. The recent hit series “New Look” portrays her rivalry with Christian Dior, but this trend-defying lady had been challenging mainstream fashion since the beginning of her career. She opposed Paul Poiret’s lavish exoticism by introducing the classic little black dress; she countered Elsa Schiaparelli’s dramatic flair with her “Less is More” minimalist style; and after World War II, she challenged Dior’s elegant classical revival by reclaiming her position with the Tweed Jacket.

So, in today’s minimalist-dominated fashion scene, it’s only natural for young people to rebel by pursuing the vibrant, exaggerated, confident, and attention-grabbing “Mob Wife” style.

This style’s name itself suggests that it’s not about the girlish aesthetics of Barbie, but rather the look of a mature woman. After all, those who can be “mob wives” are formidable characters, implying self-confidence and the ability to lead and influence.

So how should jewelry be worn to match the “Mob Wife” trend? Celebrity icons have provided us with ample demonstrations!

Best friends Taylor Swift and Blake Lively (aka “Queen S”) joined forces to embrace this new trend. They showcased their “Mob Wife” style at the Super Bowl, dressed in red Adidas tracksuits reminiscent of Henry’s iconic look from “Goodfellas.”

Indeed, the “Mob Wife” trend isn’t just about all-black funeral-like attire; it can also have a street-sporty vibe. Of course, what truly set them apart from typical sports fans was their layered jewelry.

Blake Lively, in particular, stood out with her extravagant layering of Tiffany & Co. gold jewelry. No one could mistake her look for simple street or sportswear. She boldly stacked three HardWear necklaces: the standard gold, the diamond-embellished, and the chunky version.

But that wasn’t all. Her hands were the real focal point, adorned with countless gold bracelets, all from Tiffany & Co. Many were Elsa Peretti designs, their fluid lines and abstract sculptural qualities ensuring a layered effect distinctly different from gaudy excess.

We highly recommend Elsa Peretti’s bracelet and bangle designs. While the Bone Cuff is well-known, there are many other remarkable pieces. For instance, Blake Lively wore the Swirl Cuff – doesn’t it look familiar? Susan Downey, Robert Downey Jr.’s wife, recently paired two of these with a black gown on the Oscars red carpet, exuding a powerful presence.

Blake Lively also wore two of Elsa Peretti’s Doughnut Bangles, one in gold and one in silver. These rounded designs perfectly highlight the designer’s signature style.

Indeed, if you’re looking for jewelry with a strong presence that makes a statement with a single piece, consider investing in an Elsa Peretti bracelet.

As one of the most distinctive female designers of the 1970s, each of her creations bears a clear personal stamp. They’re assertive without being aggressive, skillfully using smooth, flowing curves to create sculptural jewelry. Her pieces appear soft yet command attention, with a hidden edge.

Taylor Swift opted for a more subdued approach, staying true to her typically sweet style. Even when embracing the “Mob Wife” trend, she kept it less exaggerated. However, she still layered several necklaces, complemented by a full set of bracelets and rings. Her look subtly evoked the charm of Carmela Soprano from “The Sopranos,” who famously loved layering necklaces with low-cut outfits.

Swift captured the essence of the trend by layering three necklaces. Two were from Stephanie Gottlieb: a rose gold diamond tennis necklace and a letter pendant necklace from the new Varsity collection. This collection allows clients to customize their own love message using the brand’s signature Varsity-Letterman font.

Swift chose to display her boyfriend’s number “87” in diamonds around her neck. The third was a ruby solitaire necklace from Shay Jewelry, matching her ruby eternity ring and bracelet from the same brand.

Necklace layering is a universally loved technique, and Swift demonstrated a versatile formula: basic + color + pendant.

Start with a foundation piece like a tennis chain or snake chain. Add vibrancy with a gemstone that complements your outfit. Finally, include a longer piece to create spacing and rhythm, adjusting the length based on your neckline.

Remember the bed covered in Bulgari jewelry in the movie “Casino”? It clearly illustrates the second secret of the “Mob Wife” trend: oversized designs. The film showcased the Ancient Coin and Tubogas collections that dominated fashion in the latter half of the 20th century, making a bold statement.

Recall the “big sister” from “The Knockout”? Her oversized earrings likely left a lasting impression, showcasing how volume can create either allure or fierce dominance.

Therefore, regardless of the type of jewelry chosen, opt for oversized designs. Gold is an excellent choice, as the “Mob Wife” trend is all about making a statement.

Another key element is dramatic animal-inspired jewelry. Skip the delicate butterflies and birds; panthers, lions, and snakes are the ideal companions for a “Mob Wife” look. Sotheby’s has even jumped on this trend, curating a special selection of such pieces.

Their experts believe: “The widespread revival of this maximalist Mob Wife style is actually rooted in fashion history. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, as women gained more freedom and power in the workplace, enabling them to achieve economic independence more easily, their attire became increasingly fearless.”

Vivian Chen, Assistant Vice President of Jewelry at Sotheby’s, explains: “The eye-catching and vibrant oversized jewelry was crucial at that time: large clip-on earrings became popular in the 1980s thanks to fashion icons like Princess Diana, while Cartier’s panthers and Roberto Legnazzi’s gold, coral, hematite, diamond, and topaz chokers could elevate the overall look and presence.”

The “Mob Wife” trend is indeed a revival of maximalism that opposes minimalism and understatement. It requires flamboyance, opulence, and a certain devil-may-care allure.

This is exemplified by Francis Ford Coppola, director of “The Godfather,” personally endorsing the “Mob Wife” trend on Instagram. He pointed out that this trend isn’t limited to wives but also includes sisters and daughters with underworld status. To illustrate this, he shared a still from the movie featuring the “mafia princess” – Kay Corleone, played by Diane Keaton, wearing an extravagant diamond bib necklace.

Well, the specific family relation isn’t crucial; the key is having “status” to align with the trend. For instance, a self-made female boss like Li Li from “Blossoms Shanghai” doesn’t need a “big shot” – an independent “female boss” is absolutely a representative of the “Mob Wife” style.

Li Li, the alluring yet decisive mysterious boss lady in “Blossoms Shanghai,” is a formidable “female boss.” She arrived alone in Shanghai from Shenzhen and opened the opulent Zhizhen Garden Restaurant on the prime Huanghe Road. Before opening, her account already showed a turnover of 30 million – she aimed for grandeur and flamboyance.

Like a leopard, each of her appearances is breathtakingly beautiful, combining sensuality with deadly danger, and diamonds are her most potent weapon of charm.

Diamonds are the perfect complement to the “Mob Wife” trend, as the style’s foundation is black. In daylight, gold is their layering preference. However, remember that their main activities occur late at night, in parties and bars filled with neon lights and glamour. In these settings, nothing signifies status more than diamonds!

Beyond traditional diamond necklaces, the “Mob Wife” trend can incorporate designs that pay homage to Italian culture – after all, it’s the authentic origin.

For instance, Lionheart’s pavé diamond Italian horn necklace, believed to have protective powers. Diamond crosses are also suitable for day and night wear, with vintage styles like those from Selim Mouzannar being a great option.

The classic Rivière diamond necklace is a must-have, as demonstrated by Carmela Soprano in “The Sopranos.” She needs this “prop” to display her status.

For fashion-forward trendsetters, tennis necklaces might be an easier choice to wear or acquire. Options like State Property’s intertwined diamond and gold design, or Clean Cut’s half-gold chain, half-diamond design are versatile choices.

For younger individuals, diamond earrings might be a more practical choice. Unique, distinctive designs can better emphasize the “don’t mess with me” attitude of the “Mob Wife” trend. For example, Savolinna’s inverted princess-cut diamond earrings are both captivating and avant-garde, maintaining brilliance while clearly stating, “I’m not to be trifled with!”

Have you mastered this popular “Mob Wife” trend? Honestly, there’s a sense of satisfaction that we might be ahead of the trend curve this time. So, this wave feels more like a review than “catching up” to fashion.

Additionally, this might be the last fashion trend created by TikTok, given that certain hypocritical individuals are about to shut down this social platform beloved by American youth. So, embrace and cherish this trend while you can!

From Mafia Glam to Modern Chic: Why Taylor Swift and Queen S Are Embracing the Bold ‘Mob Wife’ Trend

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