Out with the clean girl, enter the Mob Wife

Over the last few years, aesthetics have permeated our culture, and the clean and minimalistic linen look has been a consistent presence, embodying the ethos of 'less is indeed more.' Clean and radiant skin, well-groomed brows, and expanses of white dominated social media feeds, epitomizing the clean girl appearance.  However, a new trend, particularly gaining traction on TikTok, is the Mob Wife aesthetic.  Not everything about the clean girl aesthetic was bland,  I mean bad. Consider the focus on skincare—a significant emphasis has grown on achieving a fresh, dewy complexion even if you didn’t win the great genetic lottery.  Try The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser RRP $18.30, Myer.

One aspect of the Mob Wife vibe that I'm eager to embrace is the winged liner—a bold statement along with the voluminous hair. Backcombing, a technique that seemed to have disappeared, will make a comeback. However, instead of relying on a single comb to create dreadlocks that inevitably grow out, we now have an array of clever tools at our disposal. Take the The Ultimate Teazer from TangleTeezer.com RRP $37.50 , paired with Nak Hair Volume Foam, RRP $19.95, Price Attack, for optimal results.  As they say in the deep South of the USA, 'The bigger the hair, the closer to God!'

No Mob Wife look is complete without a French tip manicure. While I'm uncertain whether to go for the full white block tip that makes typing a pretty tricky task, there are temporary ways to achieve this look without breaking the bank. Instant Mani Co (www. www.instantmani.co, RRP $29.99) press-ons offer versatility, allowing you to switch between blood red and French tips within the week.

As we approach the cooler months, a staple for any self-respecting Mob Wife look is the glamorous faux fur coat. For this, hit up your local St Vinnies or Hope Horizons charity shop that promises you’ll find something that will withstand the test of time and securely hold bundles of cold hard cash without compromising on style. 

While the full Mob Wife aesthetic might not make a complete comeback to overshadow the clean girl look, I'm glad we can cherry-pick the best elements from each trend to let our personalities shine through.

In the wise words of Adriana La Cerva in "The Sopranos" about fashion:  "It's all about the image. It's all about being who you are, and who you're gonna be. Style, that's what people remember."

This article first appeared in Style Toowoomba March 2024