Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (2024)

Princess Diana was arguably the most famous style icon of all time. She single-handedly nailed every single fashion fad that she showcased but not only that, she also was a trend-setter (remember she rocked cycling shorts and oversized sweatshirts before Kim Kardashian was even a thing?)

Many fashionistas check out the archives of the former wife of King Charles for outfit inspiration daily, and it's easy to see why. She looked phenomenal in pretty much everything.

With that in mind, we think the royal was the original Mob Wife muse. Yes, you read that right. Right now, the Mob Wife aesthetic hasn't just taken over social media, but also the wardrobes of some of our favourite celebrities. Take a quick scroll on Instagram and TikTok and you will find a flurry of influencers and actors stepping out in the bold look, which includes fur, leopard print, sassy sunglasses and dark colours.

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Now, Diana often wore eye-catching fur coats. She loved a fancy hat. She repped red nails, black eyeliner, loved a bouncy blow dry and had a penchant for leopard print and fancy patent designer bags. Bingo!

So here's the hard evidence of Diana sporting everything glam and mobster back in the day.

Fur coat

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (4)© Getty

First up, the beauty was pictured here in Germany back in 1987, wearing this super glam oversized coat with a faux fur collar and sleeves along with a matching faux fur hat. Check out the gold earrings too!

Red nails and black eyeliner

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (5)© Getty/Tim Graham

We all know that the Mob Wife beauty look is the literal opposite of the Clean Girl aesthetic, known for minimal makeup and natural nails. Red talons and lashings of eyeliner are where it's at, and Diana had a penchant for both.

Bold sunglasses

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (6)© Getty

In 1989, Diana was spotted in Abu Dhabi with then-husband Prince Charles. Diana looked incredible in her Catherine Walker pink suit but also these super chic white shades! Such a confident, superstar vibe.

Leopard Print

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (7)

Diana always loved a bit of leopard, and these photographs of the Princess in the Caribbean personify that idea. The costume and matching sarong were totally chic - didn't she look sensational?

Gold Jewellery

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (8)© Getty/Anwar Hussein

Diana's most instantly recognisable pieces of jewellery were of course her engagement ring which now belongs to the Princess of Wales, as well as her chunky gold earrings. The Mob Wife gal loves over-the-top, gold trinkets and Diana was rarely without her statement pieces, which always had the Midas touch.

Power Suit

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (9)© Getty/Anwar Hussein

And lastly, the power suit. Think shoulder pads, a sleek cut, preferably in a dark colour, and of course, it has to be figure hugging. Diana worked the lot back in 1995. This super smart black suit and Versace crocodile skin handbag wouldn't look out of place today. Check out the pearls, gold bracelet and big blow dry too! Soprano ladies eat your heart out….

HELLO!spoke to celebrity stylist Martine Alexander to sum up the trend and how we can incorporate it into our existing wardrobes.

"The Mob Wife aesthetic is the total opposite of the continuing trend of SS24, quiet luxury. In fact, you couldn't get further from the trend. More is more in the Mob. If you're looking for inspo, have a look at the wives in films such asGoodfellasandThe Sopranos.

"Your colour palette needs to include leopard print, black, cream, metallics, bold colours and rich fabrics such as fur, velvet, sequins and silk. Supersized gold earrings, black sunglasses and a long faux fur coat are essentials. Leopard print is a big trend this season so you'll easily be able to find it."

When it comes to tips on rocking the look, Martine likes to keep it sustainable. She explained: "Raid the charity shops or a vintage emporium for a longline fur coat! They're always available and they won't break the bank. I love Sew & So Vintage for one-off pieces. Also, check out your mum or grandma's wardrobe for some fabulosity and then team it with your own bodycon dresses and suits."

Princess Diana was the original Mob Wife - here's proof (2024)

FAQs

What's really behind the mob wife aesthetic? ›

The trend is about more than French manicures and furs. The look focuses on conspicuous signifiers of wealth earned outside the rule of law. Adriana La Cerva in “The Sopranos,” played by Drea de Matteo, was sexy, confident and ambitious in her own right.

Did Camilla attend Diana's funeral? ›

Camilla Parker Bowles, as she was then, did not attend the funeral of the late Princess of Wales, much less sit with or near Prince Charles.

Did Charles and Diana have a daughter? ›

No. She did not. She had two sons, William and Harry, but no daughter was born to her.

Was Princess Diana a commoner? ›

As a British subject who was not a peer of the royal family, Lady Diana Spencer was technically a commoner when she married Prince Charles. However, Diana was an aristocrat born into a noble family that had been a part of English history for centuries.

Who started the mob wife trend? ›

Sarah Jordan Arcuri, the self-declared “Mob Wife Aesthetic CEO,” who goes by @thesweetpaisana on TikTok, shared a video in October in which she broke down the look: all black, as much leather as possible, “your mom's fur jacket from the '80s,” gold jewelry, and sunglasses, plus an Italian designer bag.

Where did the mob wife trend come from? ›

The “mob wife” aesthetic was popularized on TikTok through influencer Sarah Jordan Arcuri, the self-proclaimed “Mob Wife Aesthetic CEO.” The style quickly took off, with celebrities like Hailey Bieber donning an oversized fur coat and sunglasses at night.

Was Prince Charles upset when Diana died? ›

But how did the real Prince Charles (now King Charles) react to Princess Diana's tragic passing? Charles and Diana in 1988. "He was absolutely distraught.

What dress was Princess Diana buried in? ›

Diana's former husband, sons, mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman were present. Diana's body was clothed in a black long-sleeved, three-quarter length woollen co*cktail dress designed by Catherine Walker which she had chosen some weeks before, a pair of black pantyhose, and a pair of black shoes.

Why did Camilla wear white to Diana's wedding? ›

She probably wore it purely because she liked it. "Given it was both Charles and Camilla's second marriages, there are usually less strict rules about those sorts of things!"

Who is the father of Diana's hidden daughter? ›

Princess Diana and King Charles III's secret daughter is named Sarah, allegedly.

How many biological children did Princess Diana have? ›

Family was very important to the Princess, who had two sons: Prince William and Prince Henry (Harry). After her divorce from The Prince of Wales, the Princess continued to be regarded as a member of the Royal Family. Diana, Princess of Wales, died on Sunday, 31 August 1997, following a car crash in Paris.

Was Diana in love with Dodi? ›

A Complete Timeline of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed's Relationship. During the summer of 1997, Diana and Dodi had a brief love affair before their untimely deaths. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Why didn't Princess Diana grow her hair long? ›

Sam McKnight, the stylist that cut her hair, has been quoted as saying that the Princess never even considered growing her hair out, because she didn't want to look too “princess-y.” It wasn't just an accessory to her non-conformist ways, it was a key part of it.

Did Dodi propose to Diana? ›

The 2007 inquiry conducted by Metropolitan Police found that while Fayed may have been planning a proposal, that evidence points to the conclusion that one did not take place, per CBS News. The ring was found at Fayed's flat, which Diana had not visited that day.

How much older is Charles than Diana? ›

Their six-year difference is about half of the real-life figures, who were born about 13 years apart: Diana in July 1961, and Charles in November 1948.

What is the mob wife aesthetic vs clean girl? ›

And crucially, despite the latter's pared-back approach to dressing and simple make-up, the clean girl look is incredibly difficult to achieve without naturally perfect skin and hair. A mob wife, on the other hand, is exciting, vibrant, dangerous and a little messy – making the style more forgiving and approachable.

What is the mob wife culture? ›

The trend holds a mirror to the '80s, a decade during which fashion designers favored big hairstyles, animal prints, padded shoulders, large fur coats and stacks of gold jewelry. In today's parlance, the mob wife rejects quiet luxury; her closet is maximalist and expressive and she has the attitude to pull it off.

What is the mob wife aesthetic urban dictionary? ›

The mob wife itself, according to Urban Dictionary, is described as a beautiful, selfless woman, usually married to a man of poor character-who is expected to do nothing but smile, take care of the kids and household, and tend to her husband, while never ever acknowledging the abusive, sinful, greedy, selfish world she ...

What makes a mob wife? ›

History and usage. Dressing like "mob wives" (the fur coats, the dark lipstick, the leathers, the oversized sunglasses, and devil-may-care attitude) has been around since before TikTok made it famous. Examples of mob wife aesthetic can be seen in movies like The Godfather and in TV shows like The Sopranos.

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