Luann de Lesseps has lived several remarkable lives since The Real Housewives of New York first premiered on television in 2008. Over nearly two decades in the public eye, she has worn many different hats—quite literally and figuratively. To name just a few chapters of her extensive pop culture resume: she was married to a real-life French count, taught an entire nation via her unforgettable pop-dance single that "money can’t buy you class," evolved into a full-fledged, touring cabaret star, and managed to weather enough reality television chaos to inevitably find herself falling into a bush or two along the way.
Through all of those unpredictable chapters and dramatic television seasons, one single element has remained remarkably consistent: her unwavering commitment to glamour. As she so often reminds her devoted fans and television castmates, elegance is learned ("mah friends"), and her personal style has always reflected that exact ethos, blending classic Countess-era poise with a healthy, vibrant dose of showgirl razzle-dazzle.
That lifelong commitment to high-stakes fashion was put to the test earlier this year when de Lesseps packed her bags to film Bravo’s Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th. The star-studded cast was given a remarkably tight window of just a week and a half to prepare for a whirlwind travel itinerary spanning across Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami, packing everything from heavy resort wear to climate-appropriate evening attire for every imaginable theme party.
Reflecting on the sheer logistical nightmare of the packing process, de Lesseps admits that it easily ranks among the most difficult trips she has ever had to prepare for. Despite the frantic preparation, the journey yielded iconic television moments, including a standout highlight where she zipped herself into Kyle Richards’s infamous White Party wearing glowing angel wings, a dramatic cape, and boy shorts to perform her signature hit, "Chic C’est La Vie."
Despite the requisite ups and downs that naturally accompany any gathering of Housewives alumni, the ensemble cast ultimately bonded deeply behind the scenes. Standing inside her chic New York pied-à-terre, de Lesseps points out an oxblood Saint Laurent clutch that was thoughtfully gifted to her by co-star Lisa Barlow. Expressing genuine affection for her fellow Bravo star, de Lesseps beams, "Baby gorgeous! I love that girl. She’s such a joy."
Now, de Lesseps is gearing up to reunite with her original Real Housewives of New York crew for an upcoming television project titled The Golden Life, airing Tuesday nights on E!, while simultaneously preparing to hit the road for her next expansive cabaret tour. Yet, away from the glaring studio cameras and the blinding stage lights, her everyday approach to personal style has undergone a noticeable and refreshing evolution.
Today, she is just as content stepping out in comfortable sneakers or walkable heels as she is getting zipped into a showstopping Jovani dress—a designer label that has effectively become its own recurring character within the broader Luann de Lesseps cinematic universe. Beyond the designer wear, she continues to swear by a reliable $38 beauty staple that she argues every quintessential Upper East Side woman should own, alongside a carefully curated wardrobe of go-to pieces that make her feel like the absolute hottest woman in the room without ever requiring a restrictive, tiny hemline.
To celebrate the premiere of The Golden Life and her return to the live stage, de Lesseps recently sat down for an in-depth conversation to discuss her signature millinery, her philosophy on buying multiples of the things she genuinely loves, the wellness hill she is willing to die on, and the reality behind the "Countess" persona.
Reflecting on her style philosophy lately, de Lesseps describes her current aesthetic in three succinct words: casual, chic, and effortless. When asked about the biggest shift in her wardrobe choices over recent years, she emphasizes that she now dresses entirely for her own comfort rather than trying to satisfy the expectations of others. She notes that towering heels have taken a backseat to practicality because she values the freedom to walk around comfortably, reiterating that comfort has become everything to her.
Having spent a significant portion of her adult life navigating the complex waters of reality television, de Lesseps is well aware that the viewing public has cultivated a very specific, polished idea of who "Luann" is. Looking back at her introduction to the genre, she recalls holding an apple during her very first season and unapologetically telling the audience that she does not feel guilty for her privilege, but rather feels lucky. Building a public persona and a distinct personality like the Countess, she explains, is genuinely a part of who she is, but it does not encompass her entire identity because the public is only seeing one curated facet of her life.
While viewers initially knew her primarily through the lens of her marriage to a French aristocrat, de Lesseps points out that her roots are deeply grounded and down-to-earth. Growing up as one of seven children in a Connecticut household and training as a registered nurse provided her with a vastly different foundation than her television title might suggest. It is often during her live cabaret performances, she notes, that audience members truly connect with her real personality, frequently coming up to her afterward to remark that she is just a normal, relatable person. On television, however, viewers get the Countess, reminding her that women naturally wear many different hats throughout their lives.
When discussing her most unapologetically signature purchases, de Lesseps immediately highlights her prized collection of Philip Treacy hats, crafted by the very same legendary milliner who designs for the Queen of England. After tragically losing her favorite black cabaret hat while traveling, she discovered that the iconic piece could not simply be reordered because the thick, high-end satin used to construct it was no longer available. Even airport security machinery could not destroy it, as the structured hat would simply pop right back up after passing through the scanner. The millinery piece became so legendary among her fanbase that when Kim Kardashian later wore a fedora to the Met Gala, de Lesseps’s loyal followers playfully accused the reality star of attempting to replicate the Countess’s iconic look.
When asked about the secret to feeling like the absolute hottest woman in the room, de Lesseps bypasses the traditional little black dress in favor of a sleek, well-fitted jumpsuit, praising the garment as an unexpected and undeniable showstopper. On the flip side, she admits to a surprising recent fashion obsession that she once swore she would never wear: polka dots. She enthusiastically shares her newfound love for the pattern, highlighted by a budget-friendly zip-up windbreaker she recently purchased online.
When playing a playful round of fashion preferences involving sneakers, ballet flats, and sexy heels, de Lesseps makes her allegiances clear: she would gladly marry comfortable sneakers, reject restrictive heels, and completely eliminate ballet flats from her wardrobe. Explaining her aversion to closed-toe shoes, she emphasizes that as an active performer, she requires open-toe footwear that gives her toes room to breathe. For business meetings, she enjoys a classic pump, but for a night out at a party, she prefers an open-toe sandal paired with Wolford fishnet tights, noting that the combination allows her to bypass any stress about the appearance of her legs.
When identifying the hardest-working item currently hanging in her closet, de Lesseps points to a pair of Sauvage resort pants she purchased in Miami at least six years ago. Demonstrating her ultimate shopping philosophy, she confesses that whenever she falls deeply in love with an item of clothing, she automatically buys two of everything—and jokes that she really ought to start buying three.
.png)
Meanwhile, her most unexpected compliment magnet these days happens to be her natural hair. While media personality Jeff Lewis once questioned whether her voluminous dark locks were entirely real, de Lesseps proudly confirmed that every single strand belongs to her, making her a rare exception among reality television stars who rely heavily on hair extensions. However, when she embarks on her demanding cabaret tours, she wisely utilizes custom wigs to protect her natural hair from the constant strain of curling irons, heavy styling products, and relentless heat.
Among her prized possessions that she will never, ever part with are her extensive collection of cabaret hats, which she considers lifelong companions. On the more humorous side of her retail therapy, she proudly displays an Edie Parker clutch custom-embossed with the word "Countess." Admitting that she does not even quite know how to open the luxury accessory and has never actually worn it out in public, she insists that it remains an undeniably beautiful work of art worthy of display.
When it comes to her beauty regimen, de Lesseps exhibits fierce, unyielding loyalty. She swears by Lancôme Définicils Waterproof Mascara, declaring it the absolute best on the market, and stands firmly by Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream as a non-negotiable skincare essential. Whether used to combat dry skin, hydrate lips, soothe cuticles, or heal minor bumps and bruises sustained during her energetic stage performances, she notes that it is a staple product every sophisticated woman on the Upper East Side relies on.
For everyday living, she relies on small luxuries that quietly elevate her daily routine, such as taking Chanel Le Deodorant spray with her everywhere she travels, spraying it generously across her body. When it comes to her signature scent, she turns to Byredo Velvet Haze, a fragrance she humorously reserves specifically for dates and romantic pursuits. Although the beloved scent has technically been discontinued by the brand, she relies on overstock beauty sites to keep her supply fully stocked.
When discussing wellness trends that genuinely deserve their positive reputation, de Lesseps points directly to the transformative power of yoga and meditation. Following a demanding filming schedule for The Golden Life and prior to diving headfirst into her rigorous rehearsal and touring schedule, she recently unplugged for a full week at a wellness retreat located near fellow cast member Dorinda Medley’s home in the Berkshires, emphasizing the absolute necessity of taking dedicated time away from the chaos to reset her mind and body.
Her daily routines are similarly dialed in, starting with a curated coffee preference that leans toward Nespresso. Rather than traditional dairy, she mixes her coffee with Califia Farms half-and-half blended with coconut-almond milk, though a Starbucks run will occasionally prompt an order for a soy latte grande wet—ensuring extra milk and minimal froth.
Finally, asked what she would immediately purchase if someone handed her an unconditional $500 to spend right this second on absolutely anything or anyone, de Lesseps does not hesitate for a second. Her answer is food, pointing straight to luxury caviar served with traditional French-style eggs. Tying her culinary passion directly to her future business endeavors, she reveals that she is currently in the early stages of developing her very own luxury food line, "Countess Caviar," after a close friend and long-time industry veteran suggested the venture. She even hints at a potential future collaboration with fellow Housewife and fellow caviar connoisseur Meredith Marks, reminding fans that women in the entertainment industry are always stronger when they band together.
