Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram and Via HBO
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram and Via HBO
TikTok has spoken, and we have a new aesthetic for 2024: Mob Wife. In 2023, trends came and went at the flick of a switch, and it’s likely this year will be no different, but at least Mob Wife isn’t trying to sell us on another permutation of ‘that girl’.
The mob wife aesthetic is everything 2023 minimalism is not. It’s garish, flashy, and bubbling with designer logos. It embraces Amy-Whinehouse-level heavy winged liner, red lipstick, and dangerously long acrylic red nails or French tips.
In a TikTok @averybrynn1 explains this newfound trend succinctly. Beige is out, and fur coats with chunky jewellery are in. “Mob wives would drink their Starbucks out of a martini glass,” she said in her now-viral video.
Carmela Soprano, the icon herself, is a major source of inspiration for the look. The real-life wives of some of history’s biggest mobsters haven’t received nearly enough notoriety for all of their accomplishments, and this trend idolizes not only their big hair and bold makeup but also their defiant attitudes.
Embodying this crime-adjacent Tiktok niche is about more than fashion. It’s also about food! Mob wives eat! They know where to eat and how to order well. Mob Wife is fan of restaurants. She’ll indulge in martinis. A Mob Wife is “blessed, booked and busy”. So you know she’s got a rezz for her and the girls at whatever spot she fancies.
Dublin has its own share of restaurants that mirror the bold and glamorous essence of a mob wife. So, gather your girls, slip into those statement dresses, and channel your inner Mafiosa at these five dazzlers.
For those low-key info swap dates, where the wives are engaged in a bit of espionage of their own, Terra Madre is the go-to spot. Tucked away from prying eyes, this clandestine locale is the well-kept secret of mob wives who appreciate discretion – and a damn good plate of pasta. This is where the real business happens, away from the watchful gaze of their husbands. Terra Madre is a sanctuary for the girls, by the girls, ensuring an intimate dining experience surrounded by trust and camaraderie.
The term “Mob Wife Life” might sound vaguely threatening, but at Nanetti’s, the only threat you face is an overwhelmingly good time. From the ambient lighting to the plush booths, every detail screams mob wifedom. Slip into the cosy embrace of Nanetti’s, flick your hair over your shoulder, and order that veal chop with the confidence of someone who knows the power they hold. This restaurant is where indulgence meets an invitation to revel in the thrill of mob glamour.
Mob wives are nothing short of iconic, and Grano pays homage to that very essence. Hailing from Calabria, just like many notorious mobsters, Grano is a piece of culinary iconography. The restaurant exudes elegance with a hint of mystery, providing the perfect backdrop for you and your girls to indulge in a night of decadence. The menu, much like a mob wife’s style, is timeless, ensuring a dining experience that transcends the ordinary.
In the world of mob movies, being Sicilian is almost a prerequisite for the mob lifestyle. Amuri, with its Sicilian roots, perfectly captures the essence of the Sicilian mob and, by extension, the mob wife. The food is an explosion of authentic Sicilian flavours, transporting you straight to the sun-soaked streets of Palermo. This restaurant isn’t just about dining; it’s a celebration of Sicilian heritage and the fierce spirit that mob wives embody.
Like a mob wife herself, Rosa Madre doesn’t believe in subtlety. This Italian gem nestled in the heart of Dublin is all about opulence, bold flavours, and unabashed glamour. The team at Rosa Madre embodies the larger-than-life spirit of mob wives – flashy, in-your-face, and always ready to make a statement. The ambience is as lively as the ladies it attracts, creating an atmosphere where you can dine, gossip, and flaunt your finest jewels with pride.
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