Italian Mafia

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Reason: This page requires a rewrite to focus strictly on the aesthetic as depicted in popular culture and media, rather than the real-world criminal organization. The content warning and disclaimers must be strengthened to unequivocally state that the wiki does not endorse or glorify illegal activities. The "Key Values" and any descriptions of actions must be explicitly framed as portrayals within media, not actual values or behaviors to be adopted. Language that inadvertently romanticizes or glorifies violence or crime must be removed, and the overall content should emphasize the aesthetic's fictional nature and historical stereotypes.

Sensitive Content Notice ⚠️

The following article contains and discusses content that may be distressing to some readers.
Reason for Warning: This page discusses content relating to crime.

The Italian Mafia aesthetic is based off of the Italian organized crime families that became prevalent in the 19th century. The word 'mafia' in Italian loosely translates to "swagger" or "boldness". Mafia members are famous for their high class fashion and lifestyle, often indulging in expensive homes and imported goods. This aspect of the criminal organization has been idolized and fetishized over time by everyday people. The Mafia was most notably and infamously known for its use of violence and organized crime to obtain money and notoriety. They have also been known for heavy drug and alcohol use, often partaking in drug trafficking. Crime cases that involved Mafia members were of high popularity at the time of occurrence, making the members and bosses notable historical figures. Other Mafia families have popped up in places across the world, including the USA.

Current day adoption of the Italian Mafia aesthetic focuses on the expensive look and risk of danger. This topic is written into many fictional novels and fanfictions where authors and readers may use it as an escape into a more exciting life. A common name/term for the subject is "mafia princess" in which the main character is swooped away into or is involved in the Mafia and treated like royalty. Care should be taken when portraying this aesthetic to prevent supporting or romanticizing the Italian Mafia, as it was a dangerous criminal organization associated with terrorism and drugs, and it was used to stereotype Italian immigrants as being criminals.^[1] Similar fashion inspiration can be taken from the Boujee aesthetic as a replacement.

Visual[]

Dark, shadowy alleys and streets
Men in tailored suits, fedoras, and sleek sunglasses
Women in glamorous, form-fitting dresses and high heels
Old school cars like classic Cadillacs and Lincolns
Cigar smoke-filled rooms with dim lighting
Luxury mansions and extravagant parties
Weaponry like tommy guns, brass knuckles, and flick knives
Confident, intimidating demeanor of the mobsters
Artistic black and white photography with high contrast lighting
Symbolic iconography like black roses or ace of spades.
Dark alleyway with dimly lit street lamps
Sleek, luxury cars parked outside upscale Italian restaurants
Men in tailored suits and fedoras, smoking cigars
Graffiti-covered buildings with looming shadows
Hidden underground clubs with red velvet curtains and seedy deals taking place
Women in elegant silk dresses and diamonds, oozing confidence and power
Cannoli and espresso on a checkered tablecloth at a rustic Italian café
Bulky bodyguards with earpieces standing watch outside a mansion
Intricate gold jewelry and wads of cash changing hands in secret meetings
A view of the Italian countryside with rolling hills and vineyards, juxtaposed with a mafia hideout tucked away in the hills
A dimly lit underground casino with men in tailored suits playing poker
A group of mafia members gathering at a secluded mansion, smoking cigars and discussing business
A sleek black car with tinted windows pulling up to a high-end restaurant, with the driver looking around for any potential threats
A mafia boss surrounded by loyal bodyguards, exuding power and control
A dark alleyway with graffiti-covered walls, where shady deals go down under the cover of night
A waterfront warehouse with crates of contraband goods being loaded and unloaded by mafia associates
A smoky bar with low lighting and jazz music playing, where mafia members meet to discuss their next move
A scene of violence, with guns being drawn and tensions rising between rival mafia families
A glamorous mafia wife dressed in designer clothes and dripping with diamonds, standing by her husband's side at a formal event
A candlelit dinner at a hidden Italian restaurant, where mafia members gather to celebrate a successful operation.
Dark, smoky back rooms with men in stylish suits and fedoras gathered around a table discussing business
Luxury cars, such as classic Alfa Romeos or sleek Ferraris, parked outside upscale restaurants or clubs
Expensive designer clothing, such as tailored suits and leather shoes, worn by members of the mafia
Opulent mansions with high walls and security systems, where mafia bosses reside
Vintage pistols and tommy guns displayed in glass cases as a sign of power and intimidation
Young men in leather jackets and slicked-back hair, acting as enforcers for the mafia bosses
Rich Italian cuisine being enjoyed at lavish dinners, accompanied by fine wine and cigars
Tattoos of crosses, skulls, and other symbols associated with the mafia culture, visible on the skin of members
Lush landscapes of vineyards and olive groves, depicting the mafia's influence in rural areas
Traditional Italian music playing in the background, adding to the ambiance of the mafia lifestyle.

Fashion[]

Fashion for the Italian Mafia aesthetic, as written in fiction and popularized online, has been highly focused on both the glitz and glam of living the high life and the slicked, preparedness for getting into trouble. There is a distinct crossover with Boujee fashion as well as Femme Fatale, Playboy, and Scrapper. This utilizes the sexy, alluring details of high fashion and class as well as the seedy underbelly of running with criminals and doing the dirty work. Significant details of both of these factions may include:

Cocktail dresses
- Both short and long, mostly form fitting
Stiletto heels
Updos, buns, and ponytails
Gloves
Duster coats
Fur coats
Tall boots
Fitted slacks
Lingerie as tops
Leather jackets
Tight fitting jeans
Suits and tuxedos
Button up shirts
Fedoras
Gun holsters
Pea coats
Signet rings
Gold cross necklaces
Gold chains
Diamonds and precious gems
Duffel bags and brief cases

Criticism[]

The Mafia aesthetic is criticized for glamorizing organized crime. Portraying members as fashionable and possessing a code of honor can trivialize their involvement in illegal activities, including violence, extortion, and corruption. Romanticized portrayals of the Mafia can lead to misunderstandings of the Mafia's true nature and their impact on society. For example, the real-life mafia is not a single group as depicted in this aesthetic, but a collection of distinct organizations with different codes, practices, and regions of origin, traditionally from Southern Italy. This includes the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria, Cosa Nostra in Sicily, Camorra in Naples, and the Sacra Corona Unita and Società foggiana in Apulia.