Luann De Lesseps on the 'Game-Changing' Fragrance She Uses 'for Dates and for Boys'

Luann de Lesseps has lived several lives since The Real Housewives of New York premiered in 2008. To name a few: She was married to a real-life count, taught a nation—via song—that money can’t buy us class, became a full-fledged cabaret star, and maybe even fell into a bush or two along the way.

Through all those chapters, one thing has remained remarkably consistent: her commitment to glamour. As she so often sings, elegance is learned (“mah friends”), and her style has always reflected that ethos: Countess-era poise with a healthy dose of showgirl razzle-dazzle.

That commitment was put to the test earlier this year when de Lesseps filmed Bravo’s Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th. The cast had just a week and a half to prepare for a whirlwind itinerary spanning Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami, with every climate and theme party imaginable thrown into the mix. “That trip for me was one of the hardest ones I ever had to pack for,” she says. One highlight: zipping into Kyle Richards’s White Party in angel wings to perform “Chic C’est La Vie,” complete with a cape and boy shorts.

Despite the requisite ups and downs—it is Housewives, after all—the cast bonded. At de Lesseps’s New York pied-à-terre, she shows me an oxblood Saint Laurent clutch gifted to her by castmate Lisa Barlow. “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 in The Golden Life, which airs Tuesday nights on E!, while preparing for her next cabaret tour. Away from the cameras and stage lights, though, her approach to style has evolved. She’s just as happy in sneakers or walkable heels as she is in a showstopping Jovani dress (a label that’s become its own character in the Luann universe). She also swears by a $38 beauty staple every Upper East Side gal should own and has a go-to piece that makes her feel like the hottest woman in the room—no tiny hemline required.

To celebrate The Golden Life and her next cabaret tour, de Lesseps sat down with Glamour for the latest edition of our My Style, Lately series to talk signature hats, why she buys two of everything she loves, the wellness hill she’ll die on, and more.

Glamour: Luann de Lesseps! Describe your style lately in three words.
Luann de Lesseps: Casual, chic, effortless.

What’s been the biggest change in your style these days?
I dress for me, not for other people. I want to be comfortable. I don’t want heels to be too high that I can’t walk around. Comfort’s everything.

You’ve been on reality TV for a long time, and people have a very specific idea of “Luann.” What do you think people get wrong about you?
The first season of The Housewives, I’ve got an apple in my hand, I say, “I don’t feel guilty for being privileged. I feel lucky.” Building a person and a personality—the Countess—it’s part of who I am, but it’s not who I am. Because we don’t know her yet. I was married to a French aristocrat, that’s what people knew.

But I’m down to earth. I grew up in Connecticut, one of seven children, I’m a nurse. When you come to my cabaret show, that’s when they find out and they go, “Oh wow, she’s a girl like me.” But on TV, they get the Countess. We wear many hats as women.

What's your most unapologetically "Luann" purchase?
Philip Treacy hats. The hatmaker of the queen of England. I lost my black one; I can’t get it back. So I went to England because you can’t just buy Philip Treacy out. I said, “I need my black hat back,” and he said, “I would love to. I can’t make it again for you. I don’t have the same satin.” The satin was so thick. It went under the thing for security at the airport, popped right back up. Gone. Remember when Kim Kardashian wore a fedora to the Met Gala? My fans blew her up like, “What, are you trying to steal the Countess’s look?”

What do you wear when you want to feel like the hottest woman in the room?
I love a jumpsuit because it’s different. We like a black dress, sure. But a jumpsuit is just a showstopper for me.

What’s one thing you swore you’d never wear—and now can’t stop wearing?
Polka dots. Love. I got this windbreaker on Amazon!

Kiss, Marry, Kill: Sneakers, ballet flats, or sexy heels?
I’m going to marry sneakers. Fuck the heels. Kill the ballet flats. I don’t like my toes to be crowded. I don’t like a closed-toe shoe. As a performer, I have to have open-toe shoes. We love a pump to wear to a business meeting, but if I go to a party I want to have an open-toe shoe with Wolford fishnets—you don’t have to worry about your legs.

What’s the hardest-working item in your wardrobe?
I bought these Sauvage resort pants at least six years ago in Miami. If I love it, I buy two of everything. And I should buy three.

What’s been your biggest compliment magnet these days?
My hair. It’s all mine. [Bravo personality] Jeff Lewis goes, “Countess, is that your real hair?” I said, “Yes, every strand.” He said, “You’re one of the few Housewives that doesn’t have extensions in your hair.” On the cabaret tour, though, I go with a wig to protect my hair from the curling irons, the product, and all that stuff.

What’s one item you’ll never, ever get rid of?
My cabaret hats. Those are for life.

What’s a ridiculous fashion buy you feel great about?
My Edie Parker “Countess” clutch. I don’t even know how to open it. I’ve never worn it, obviously. But it’s beautiful, isn’t it?

What’s a beauty product you’ve become irrationally loyal to?
Lancôme Définicils Waterproof Mascara. It’s the best. It really is.

What’s a beauty hill you’ll die on?
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Use it for dry skin, dry lips, dry cuticles, scars from cabaret battles. I mean, every girl on the Upper East Side has Elizabeth Arden.

What’s a purchase that quietly improved your life?
Chanel Le Deodorant spray. I take it everywhere I go. It’s my go-to, and I spray it all over my body.

Do you have a signature scent?
Byredo Velvet Haze. I use this for dates and for boys. This is a game-changer. [Editor’s note: This fragrance had been discontinued by Byredo but is available on overstock sites.]

What’s a wellness trend that actually deserves the hype?
Yoga. I just got back from a retreat near [cast member] Dorinda Medley in the Berkshires. I went for a week after I was done from The Golden Life and before I gear up for the tour. My life is busy, so I need to check out for five days, which I did, which is great. Meditation, yoga. I’m big on all that.

Just curious: What’s your coffee order?
I love Nespresso. And I love the Califia Farms half-and-half but with coconut-almond milk. So I skip the dairy and I have that. But at Starbucks, I’ll order a soy latte grande wet. That means there’s less froth, so there’s more milk.

Parting question: If someone gave you $500 to spend right this second—on absolutely anything or anyone—what would you buy?
Food. Straight to caviar. I love caviar with eggs à la Française. I’m starting a caviar brand, by the way. A girlfriend of mine has been in the business for years and she goes, “Wait a second, do you want to do Countess Caviar?” I was like, “Well, yeah.” Then [fellow Housewife and caviar connoisseur] Meredith Marks called me. We would collab at some point, because, listen, women need to band together.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Photographer: Emily Soto @emilysoto
Hair & Makeup: Maya Michelle Shapiro @mayamichelle9
Artwork: Victoria de Lesseps @victoriadelesseps

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