So This Is How the Real Housewives Pick Their Reunion Dresses

Looking fabulous takes work, honey — and nobody knows that better than the Real Housewives. Chatting with Bravo's Project Runway designer and judge Brandon Maxwell at BravoCon 2019 on Saturday November 16, Kyle Richards, Cynthia Bailey, Dorit Kemsley, and Tamra Judge gave fans a window into the process of selecting a reunion dress. 

First, it all starts with a theme, which some franchises adhere to and others do not. The Real Housewives of Atlanta ladies are always given a theme, Cynthia shared (Season 11 was Tokyo), while Tamra, Kyle, and Dorit confirmed that The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunions usually don't have themed parameters.

However, OC ladies aren't allowed to wear long dresses "because we're Orange County," Tamra said. "We can wear long or short," noted Cynthia. 

Next, the ladies send their options to a designated reunion stylist, who oversees all the fashion for the event. According to Tamra, the ladies all submit three options to the reunion stylist, who is then responsible for letting them know which option they will end up wearing. Tamra also noted she sends her options immediately, so she can stake her claim on any dresses she might want to wear before the other ladies do. 

So how do the ladies go about choosing the dresses they'll send to the stylist?

"Mine's not that deep," Kyle said of the selection process. "It's whatever makes me feel thinnest."

For The Real Housewives of Atlanta model, it's all about confidence: "If you look better, you read better." And she's not one for labels: "I'm all about personal style... I always try to do Cynthia... and I usually slay, so."

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills swimwear designer Dorit, who is known for her over-the-top fashion and hair choices, is thinking about her reunion look long before she gets to the couch. "I really take my time," Dorit shared, though she noted "it comes together usually last minute."

She added, "You need to pick something that'll make you feel your best because it's a tough day and you need to be in a good headspace."

"This is hell to me: Picking out an outfit for the reunion," said Tamra. "I end up hating everything I wear to the reunion." For the upcoming Season 14 reunion, Tamra was outfitted in a "very unique" gold one-shoulder jumpsuit. "I'm a little afraid I might look like a genie," she admitted at the panel. "But I had a tough year so I thought, if I have to run..."

The process is long and involved, but in the end, whether you love or hate the fashion choices, the ladies' selections always have us talking.  

BravoCon 2019 is here, and you don’t want to miss a thing. Follow along on our live blog for all the latest updates.