Clean Girl Out, Mob Wife In?
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The “clean girl” aesthetic took the world by storm in late 2021. It created global interest in slicked-back buns, OPI’s Bubble Bath pink nails, and minimalist makeup. Everyone suddenly had a fresh look about them, giving them a highly youthful and glowing appearance. When clean girls were in, everyone often looked put-together with minimalist touches, adding a certain softness to those who partook in the trend. Now, a new trend is in. With fur coats, red nails, dark, messy makeup, and last-minute updos, the “mob wife” era has taken the internet by storm. Think of Carmela Soprano, an infamous television mob wife known for her timeless glamour, confidence, and maximalist look.
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The mob wife aesthetic entails a multitude of things. As instructed by the influencers of TikTok, the aesthetic itself is called a “put-together messy.” It’s a nice smoky eye with either a red or neutral lip and a messy updo. It’s French tip acrylic nails with diamond and gold jewelry. It’s dark clothes that are fitting to your figure, finished with a fur coat.
To achieve this look, wear minimal face makeup with a cool-toned smokey eye that can be worn in the daylight and transitioned into a night look. A red lip is a power symbol, but worn with heavy eye makeup, it can be fatal to the look. If you prefer something a little more lowkey, adding a nice neutral lip won’t take away from the eyes but still entices the looker to keep gazing. The mob wife aesthetic is more than just darkening features, it embodies a boss or a powerhouse – someone you would never deign to cross. It is embracing a new persona of a confident, well-dressed woman.
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There is irony to the aesthetic. The social media version of looking like a mob wife and embracing a new persona clashes with the true mob wife aesthetic. Being a mob wife is messy and a lot less glamorous than the aesthetic makes it out to be. Many ex-mob wives have come forward to discuss the discrepancies between this new aesthetic to the life they lived. It has been explained that the true life of a mob wife is standing by your husband while knowing little of what he does or how he runs his business. It is being given expensive gifts that were illegally seized to pay off a personal debt.
The idea behind the mob wife look is enthralling. The glitz, glamour, and maximalist aesthetic of a luxurious lifestyle allows those who follow the trend to become a new version of themselves. The switch from clean girl to mob wife is unique. The clean girl aesthetic has taken precedence for three years, and while it may never go out of style, its older, messier sister has come into play. Witnessing the contrast between both styles is intriguing; From perfectly coiffed hair, soft makeup, and simple clothing compared to dark eyeshadow, fur, and sexy clothing gives people the opportunity to experience a wider range of looks, in hopes of finding a style that fits them best.
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Regardless of how long the new mob wife aesthetic will last, it is safe to say that the style it takes inspiration from is not a trend, but a true, timeless fashion and confident lifestyle.
Strike Out,
Writer: Lauren Butrum
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee