Nowadays, social media declares a new reigning aesthetic every month or so but when Francis Ford Coppola, the director behind The Godfather, takes notice of a TikTok trend, it's bound to stir global curiosity. In a sea of fleeting trends on the platform, the so-called “mob wife aesthetic” has garnered unprecedented attention.

In a recent Instagram post, Coppola drew parallels between the trend and the character Connie Corleone, played by his sister Talia Shire, describing it as an embodiment of "a sultry, delightful Italian princess."

On TikTok, users are sharing their iterations of the mob wife aesthetic, a fusion of fur coats, leathers, and leopard prints, often accessorised with heavy gold jewellery and smoky eyeliner. While TikTok’s abundant "aesthetics" each have varying degrees of influence on real-world fashion, the allure of the mob wife seems to be capturing hearts beyond the screen.

At its core, the aesthetic involves layering a fur coat – real or fake, both are allowed – over an all-black ensemble. But devotees of the mob wife style meticulously craft their look, incorporating leather, animal prints, bold red nails or a French manicure, statement lipstick (red or glossy), impeccably coiffed updos, and statement sunglasses all reminiscent of a bygone era.

We show you how to shop like a 21st-century Mob Wife!