Here’s some exciting news for those like me who can’t get used to dressing for so-called ‘hidden opulence’: The era of the austere wardrobe, with its snore-fest neutral palette and languid silhouettes, may finally be over, thanks to the growing popularity of bolder, flashier fashion styles that Gwyneth Paltrow wouldn’t be seen dead in.
That’s right, rowdy luxury, also known as ‘filthy rich’ fashion, is back and it’s driven by two distinct trends. In one corner is the girly, dressed-for-anything look of a Park Avenue princess, and in the other corner is the racy bad-girl style of a mob wife.
The key connector that loops these seemingly contradictory views is the idea of showing off your wealth (whether you have it or not); This, to me, is much more visually seductive as a fashion craze than a lot of beige.
The biggest trend yet to take over Tik Tok is the second, inspired by the flamboyant vixen styles of cinema’s most iconic gangster wives, including Elvira Hancock, played by Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface, Anjelica Huston in Prizzi’s Honor, and Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna is the view. The more flamboyant ‘rich bitch’ look favored by Carmela and Adriana in the cult TV show as well as the casino the sopranos.
Translated into today’s scrollable universe, this means a daring mix of satin-lined dresses, long sequin dresses, vintage fur coats, feathered trims, leather, chunky gold jewelry, all things leopard print and black, and figure-hugging everything with low-cut necklines. Super size dark sunglasses.
But that’s not all: TikTok users are adding a dash of weirdness to this trophy-meet-wife-meet-feisty-hellish charm mix. Think of Marisa Tomei as Mona Lisa Vito in the Oscar-winning My Cousin Vinny; in this film she wore a number of strange, tight-fitting outfits, including a full-body floral-print catsuit; copies of these have completely sold out on Etsy more than 100 times. 4000 positive reviews posted by imitation (mob girl) Mona Lisas.
Essentially, this trend is all about channeling your favorite gangster diva; mine is Jennifer Tilly in the 1996 neo-noir thriller Bound, mainly because she survives a spectacularly improbable gunfight orchestrated by her menacing mob husband while looking wickedly seductive in a little red velvet dress. As a tribute to Tilly’s sassy character, I’d like to snatch up Reformation’s ’90s-inspired Merel bodycon dress cut from burgundy-colored velvet, but I’m not sure I can give it the exciting life it deserves.
In fact, there’s no shortage of slinky dresses, chunky gold jewellery, leather trousers and animal prints online and on the high street, everywhere from Marks and Spencer and Asos to Ganni and Whistles, not forgetting the mafia godfathers Dolce & Gabbana. his style.
This is no surprise given Domenico Dolce’s Sicilian heritage and his predilections for figure sculpting. For three decades, their muse has been Monica Bellucci, whose signature D&G lingerie-inspired black lace mini dress has been on display. Very gangster chic.
More difficult to nail is the well-groomed femme fatale style of Bellucci and Pfeiffer’s Elvira Hancock. Outerwear is easy if you take inspiration from Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa, who were recently photographed wearing full-length fur coats (Jenner’s were vintage; Dua’s were fake) paired with high-heeled tall boots; which channels Ginger from Casino. exaggerated animal hides.
Another favorite among gangster designers, Polish fashion designer Magda Butrym’s pre-spring SS24 collection includes a striking silver sequined, floor-length, daring thigh-slit dress and a tight-looking, form-fitting black leather blazer paired with a matching pencil skirt. Butrym’s looks exude sex appeal and you can easily imagine them on screen; It is worn by hypocritical seductive women who can create enemies from lovers and lovers from enemies.
Understandably, even in the creative world of fashion, glorifying the mafia and its ruthless business practices may be too much of a moral compromise for some.
But this does not discount the other antidote to the disguise of hidden wealth that is rapidly emerging on the social media scene, driven by the eagerness to display power and success, albeit inspired by clearer influences.
The latter style is championed by quirky Parisian fashion brand Jacquemus, known for its vibrant, playful designs and innovative marketing campaigns. The band’s latest muse, Sex and the City’s Kristin Davis, fully embraces her earnest and distinctive Charlotte York persona in the label’s new viral video; In this video, she can be seen cheerfully unboxing, ironing and caressing her new gray woolen sweater.
It’s not the look she wears that sets the sartorial tone (the jumper in question and her bright white shirt are decidedly “quiet” sophisticated classics), but rather what Charlotte symbolizes as the new face of the brand: the return of ultra-fashion. Polished feminine style that no longer whispers wealth but screams ultimate status.
Typically this look is full of cropped waists, ruffles, flourishes and ruffles. Beautiful, romantic, neat and impeccably chosen; never wrong but always a bit exaggerated. In a word, it’s the competitive style one would expect from a style associated with Manhattan’s moneyed Upper East Side. So how does this attitude reflect on us, the British?
According to Matches Womenswear Manager Liane Wiggins, it’s about being more aware of the purpose of dressing.
“This style really speaks to the art of dressing and knowing how to dress for all kinds of occasions and social engagements; not just for events and dinners, but also understanding how to dress more casually for breakfasts, the office and weekends,” she said. says. Her style tips reflect the indescribable charm of a stylish socialite with a certain confidence and arrogance:
“Pair the Emilia Wickstead jumpsuit with ballet flats for a modern, feminine daytime look. Carolina Herrera’s sweetheart neckline strapless dress is the ultimate in super feminine evening wear for me, and it’s styled perfectly with the boxy satin clutch from Hunting Season. Bernadette is also a great option for evening wear. I love strapless dresses because they offer versatility; You can wear it with a light cashmere round neck and flat shoes during the day, and with heels and jewelry in the evening.
The mob wife aesthetic may be the look that’s going viral right now, but I predict the Park Avenue Princess style will soon reign supreme, thanks to the upcoming release of two star-studded TV series set in the mid-20th century that focus on the subject. about the fashionable lives of the wealthy elite.
The New Look, based on the life of Christian Dior, starring Ben Mendelsohn, Juliette Binoche and John Malkovich (expect silk hourglass dresses galore), and Ryan Murphy’s Capote vs. . There is the movie The Swans. Rivalries among which include Naomi Watts, Calista Flockhart and Chloe Sévigny as glamorous New York socialites or ‘swans’ betrayed by Truman Capote.
The costumes, which are thought to include vintage works by Balenciaga, Valentino and Givenchy, promise to be as spectacular as the dramatic showdowns and catfights.
Perhaps the new big trends are built on old tensions, fights and conflicts; after all, Christian Dior’s rival Coco Chanel once wisely said: “Dress as if you were going to meet your worst enemy today.”
Get the look
Park Street Princess
Cashmere cardigan, £179, Gobi Cashmere; Wool coat, £310, Jigsaw
Jennifer Behr Velvet headband, £180, connect to network; Pearl earrings, £250, Deborah Blyth; Patent leather shoes, £279, LK Bennett
mafia wife
Stretch silk dress, £548, Veronica Beard; Felt fur coat, £485, Rixo
Gold-plated earrings, £310, YSSO; Leather boots, £239, & Other Stories; Acetate sunglasses, £197, Black Glasses