Despite only landing on Netflix in January, Griselda has already become one of the streaming platform’s most popular shows, clocking over 20.6 million views in its first week of release. No doubt that’s in large part due to the stellar performance by Sofia Vergara as Griselda Blanco, aka the ‘godmother of cocaine’, who controlled Miami’s drug scene during the 70s and 80s. But Griselda fashion has also been having a moment, ushering in a chicer version of the mob wife aesthetic.
Sofia Vergara dazzles as the female drug lord, proving her acting chops far exceed the comedic role she’s best known for, playing the glamorous trophy wife Gloria on the American sitcom Modern Family. And while the extreme violence in Griselda doesn’t always make for comfortable viewing, Vergara’s perfectly put together outfits have proved to be catnip for fashion lovers, who can’t get enough of her retro style.
The 70s fashion looks in the show tie in perfectly with the current mob wife aesthetic that’s sweeping social media, racking up millions of views on TikTok. Characterised by oversized faux furs, animal print and gold jewellery, Carmela Soprano has been hailed as the poster girl for the look. But Vergara’s Griselda wardrobe, which features silk snakeskin shirts, metallic wrap dresses and chunky statement necklaces, has offered up a more sophisticated take on the trend.
Griselda’s team of costume designers looked to the likes of Catherine Deneuve, Diana Ross and Cher for inspiration, as well as designers such as Versace, Halston, Yves Saint Laurent and Diane von Furstenberg. Indeed, costume designer Sarah Evelyn Bram sourced many vintage DVF pieces for the show, one of which Vergara wears in her very first scene. Elsewhere, eagle-eyed viewers will spot vintage Versace looks as well as high-octane Halston-esque dresses.
The slinky wrap dress is a go-to look in the show, and coincidentally finds itself firmly back in fashion for spring/summer 2024. Diane von Furstenberg has just celebrated 50 years of her signature wrap dresses, and you’ll find them everywhere this season. Likewise, the satin shirts that Vergara wears, which she tucks into high-waisted, wide-legged trousers. For the show, the costume team hunted down vintage nylon Qiana shirts and reproduced original prints from the era, but you can find similar designs at Tom Ford.
Peplums are big too. In one memorable scene, Vergara wears a turquoise power suit, nipped in at the waist, to attend a meeting about a particularly important drug deal. The addition of a peplum to the suit adds a softer, feminine edge to the look – a key part of Blanco’s power. Peplums have been spotted all over the catwalks for SS24 and appear to be having something of a renaissance, seen everywhere from Huishan Zhang to Roksanda.
While clothes undoubtedly play an important role in Vergara’s Griselda wardrobe, the accessories she wears are almost as noteworthy. Every one of Vergara’s outfits is teamed with a chunky gold necklace or a pair of bold earrings, and the show’s costume team spent hours scouring old documentaries, newspapers and vintage catalogues to ensure the jewellery looked as authentic as possible. The standout jewellery piece in Griselda is the Julia Vaughn vintage Ad Omega necklace that Vergara wears, which immediately sold out online.
Alongside this, Vergara is also seen wearing a range of oversized 70s-style sunglasses, platform shoes and belts with decorative buckles, all of which offer easy ways to add a touch of mob wife glamour to any outfit. If you want to get the look for yourself, check out our edit of the best 70s-inspired, Griselda-worthy fashion pieces to buy now.
