Zara Rawoof- Social media is tired of the “Clean Girl Aesthetic.” Bored with basic linens and plain long-sleeve shirts, cheetah prints and chunky jewelry have caught the eye of fashion aficionados. But for Jersey girls, these fashion elements never went out of style.
Animal print and French tip nails were considered staples of the 2000s and have withstood the test of time in New Jersey. From big hair to gold hoops, the fur coats and giant sunglasses that defined the state appeared in both the iconic reality TV Show Jersey Shore and HBO’s hit drama The Sopranos. Snooki and JWOWW were known- and often mocked- for their leopard print dresses and gaudy accessories. However, young women everywhere now seek out the same flashy looks that define the Garden State.
Proud Jersey Girl and host of MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle”, Stephanie Ruhle has always known the power of her home state’s style. “Being from Jersey impacts my everything,” she said, “The chip on our shoulders is actually the perch we like to sit on.”
Following the dip in popularity of the Clean Girl Aesthetic, many have begun embracing a new look referred to as the Mob Wife Aesthetic. This style, defined by fur coats, big hair, and pops of dark red, is the world paying homage to Jersey without admitting it.
Iconic movies and television shows like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Sopranos glamorize the world of organized crime for audiences everywhere. The Sopranos is 25 years old but still enjoyed by many of my Gen-Z peers. The show even became a topic of discussion in my philosophy class at NYU. The main character, Tony Soprano, consults Sun Tzu’s The Art of War in the hit T.V. show’s first season. These movies and shows existing under the mafia subgenre remain timeless not only for their plots but also for their glamorous and fierce female leads.
The women in this genre became so sensationalized that a reality show called Mob Wives endured six seasons in the 2010s. And along with their big personalities, audiences remembered these women for their distinctive style. Mob Wives followed the lives of women “associated” with organized crime in Staten Island. The stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey have also been linked to the mob in the past.
Technically speaking, organized crime networks like the American Mafia are most prevalent in the Northeast. The FBI and New Jersey’s Commission of Investigation have admitted to the state being home to some of the most prominent crime families in the nation. Given the severity of the crimes committed by the mob, many users on social media feel using the term Mob Wives Aesthetic is insensitive to the victims who have suffered at the hands of these organizations.
As a lifelong Jersey girl myself, I know that the mafia is more than just a Garden State legend. Rumors spread like wildfire around town about which families have mob ties. FBI raids down the street have implicated past neighbors in serious organized crimes. For many familiar with the antics of Northeastern crime organizations, the Mob Wife Aesthetic is much less glamorous in practice.
Left to right: Alexandre Vauthier Silk Dress, Michelle Smith Dress, Pinko Top , Jose Sanchez Pants , Giorgio Armani Blazer ,Chloé Boots
In reality, the concept of being a “mob wife” involves a lifetime of violence and living against the rules of the law. Abuse and criminal activity aren’t the reasons the Mob Wife Aesthetic became so sensational. People were enamored with the luxurious wardrobes of women on TV like Carmela Soprano. These same style aesthetics exist beyond the label of “mob wives.” Jersey women have been consistently dressing in this over-the-top manner. Considering the problematic indications of what many are calling the newest fashion trend, it’s time to appreciate what New Jersey has to offer the fashion world. Investing in quality pieces that embody Jersey's style elements can outlast the ever-changing landscape of fashion. Leopard print doesn’t have to be too flashy, and chunky jewelry can be layered elegantly. This mood board features some pieces from Shop Repurpose’s wardrobe that are timelessly chic while aligning with the Jersey style.