Since The Real Housewives of New York first premiered on Bravo in 2008, Luann de Lesseps has lived several distinct lives in the public eye. Over nearly two decades of television appearances, she has been married to a real-life French aristocrat, imparted the timeless musical wisdom that money can’t buy you class, transformed into a full-fledged cabaret star touring the country, and occasionally encountered the inevitable unscripted mishap, such as an infamous tumble into a bush. Through all these distinct chapters, however, one element has remained remarkably consistent: her unwavering commitment to glamour. As she so often reminds her audience, elegance is learned, and her personal style has always reflected that precise ethos, balancing Countess-era poise with a healthy dose of showgirl razzle-dazzle.
That dedication to fashion and presentation was put to the test earlier this year when de Lesseps filmed Bravo’s Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th. The cast was given just a week and a half to prepare for a whirlwind travel itinerary that spanned Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami, requiring wardrobe choices for every conceivable climate and themed party. Packing for the expedition proved to be a formidable challenge. One of the standout moments from the trip featured de Lesseps zipping into Kyle Richards’s White Party wearing angel wings, a cape, and boy shorts to perform her signature hit, "Chic C’est La Vie."
Despite the requisite ups and downs inherent to the Housewives franchise, the ensemble cast bonded closely. During a conversation at her New York pied-à-terre, de Lesseps proudly displayed an oxblood Saint Laurent clutch gifted to her by castmate Lisa Barlow, warmly praising her as a joy to be around.
Now, de Lesseps is preparing to reunite with her original Real Housewives of New York crew for The Golden Life, airing Tuesday nights on E!, while simultaneously gearing up for her next cabaret tour. Away from the cameras and stage lights, however, her personal approach to style has evolved considerably. She is just as content wearing comfortable sneakers or walkable heels as she is stepping into a showstopping Jovani dress—a designer label that has effectively become its own character within the broader Luann universe. Furthermore, she swears by an affordable beauty staple that she considers essential for any Upper East Side resident, along with go-to wardrobe pieces that make her feel confident without requiring a tiny hemline.
To celebrate the premiere of The Golden Life and her upcoming cabaret tour, de Lesseps sat down to discuss her signature hats, her philosophy on wardrobe duplicates, the wellness routines she swears by, and how her public persona compares to her everyday reality.
Reflecting on her style lately, de Lesseps describes her current aesthetic in three words: casual, chic, and effortless. She notes that the biggest change in her wardrobe approach over the years is that she now dresses for herself rather than for other people. Comfort has become paramount, meaning she avoids excessively high heels that restrict her mobility.
Having spent a significant portion of her life in the spotlight, de Lesseps is well aware that the public holds a very specific idea of who "Luann" is. Looking back at her introduction to reality television in the first season of The Real Housewives of New York, where she famously held an apple and declared that she didn’t feel guilty for her privilege but rather lucky, she acknowledges that while the Countess persona is part of who she is, it does not define her entirely. Viewers initially knew her through her marriage to a French aristocrat, but her background is decidedly more grounded. Growing up in Connecticut as one of seven children and starting her career as a nurse provided her with a very different foundation. She notes that audiences often realize this down-to-earth side when they attend her live cabaret shows, where they discover she is just an ordinary person beneath the television persona.
When discussing her most unapologetically signature purchases, de Lesseps highlights her collection of Philip Treacy hats, created by the official hatmaker to the Queen of England. After losing her iconic black cabaret hat and finding that it could not be easily replaced due to the unique, heavy satin material that miraculously survived airport security scanners every time, she even made a trip to England to see the designer, though the exact material was no longer available. Her hats have become such a recognized part of her brand that when Kim Kardashian wore a fedora to the Met Gala, fans playfully accused her of trying to replicate the Countess’s look.
For moments when she wants to feel like the most striking person in the room, de Lesseps skips the traditional black dress in favor of a jumpsuit, viewing it as a distinct and dramatic showstopper. Conversely, a garment she once swore she would never wear but now cannot stop wearing is polka dots, highlighted by a favorite windbreaker purchased on Amazon. When asked to weigh in on footwear through a game of kiss, marry, kill involving sneakers, ballet flats, and sexy heels, she unhesitatingly chooses to marry sneakers, dismisses heels, and eliminates ballet flats entirely because she dislikes crowded toes and closed-toe shoes. For performances and parties, she prefers open-toe shoes paired with Wolford fishnet tights, which eliminate the need to worry about her legs.
Among the hardest-working items in her wardrobe are Sauvage resort pants she purchased in Miami at least six years ago. True to her personal shopping philosophy, if she loves an item, she buys two of everything—though she admits she probably should buy three.
When it comes to beauty and grooming, her hair is her biggest compliment magnet. Even fellow Bravo personality Jeff Lewis once questioned whether her hair was real, prompting her to confirm that every strand is entirely her own, noting that she is one of the few cast members who does not wear extensions. However, during rigorous cabaret tours, she utilizes wigs to protect her natural hair from heat styling and heavy products. Another cherished item in her collection is an Edie Parker clutch featuring the word "Countess," which she considers a beautiful decorative piece even if she rarely opens or wears it.
Her product loyalty extends to Lancôme Définicils Waterproof Mascara, which she considers the absolute best on the market, and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, a multipurpose staple she uses for dry skin, lips, cuticles, and minor backstage injuries, noting its ubiquity among Upper East Side women. For daily routines, she relies on Chanel Le Deodorant spray, which she carries everywhere, and her signature fragrance, Byredo Velvet Haze, which she jokingly reserves for dates and romantic pursuits.
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Beyond fashion and beauty, de Lesseps emphasizes the importance of wellness, particularly yoga and meditation. Following the conclusion of filming for The Golden Life and ahead of her tour rehearsals, she spent a week at a retreat in the Berkshires to disconnect and recharge. Her coffee routine involves a Nespresso machine paired with Califia Farms half-and-half mixed with coconut-almond milk to skip dairy, while her Starbucks order is a soy latte grande wet, ensuring less froth and more milk.
Asked how she would spend a spontaneous $500 gift, her answer points straight to food, specifically caviar served with eggs à la française. She notes that she is even exploring the launch of a caviar brand alongside a longtime friend, with potential future collaborations discussed with fellow Housewife Meredith Marks, emphasizing the importance of women supporting one another in business ventures.
