Candiace Dillard Bassett Wore the Most Massive Sun Hat on RHUGT: Here's Where to Get It
Some of the Housewives in Thailand were fans of Candiace Dillard Bassett's large, floppy beach hat, but others were definitely not.
It’s a fashion accessory getting almost as much attention the infamous $25,000 sunglasses on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Dana Wilkey — Candiace Dillard Bassett’s giant hat.
The literal statement piece from The Real Housewives of Potomac cast member while in Thailand for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip is all the buzz on social media, and among the ‘Wives themselves.
Candiace originally posted a video of her wearing the hat in question on her Instagram page, announcing the new season is finally here. She first donned the large headpiece in Episode 3 of the third season, airing now on Peacock, as The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Whitney Rose commented, “Well, hello Miss Shade!”
(it’s unclear if this is literal or figurative shade, or both, considering Candiace’s creative — ahem, shady! — nicknames for the Housewives at the previous night’s dinner).
In an interview, Candiace’s fellow Potomac Housewife Gizelle Bryant and The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Porsha Williams pondered how such a big hat even made it to Thailand.
“How did she pack it!?” Porsha exclaimed, as Gizelle responded, “I think it had its own suitcase." Porsha jokingly added, “And its own seat on the plane.”
Candiace was forced to take off the sizeable hat upon trying to enter the van to go on a yacht trip, but told the women her hat was named “Janet.” Later, still wearing “Janet,” Candiace led the way down the docks to the yacht, as The Real Housewives of New York City’s Leah McSweeney commented, “I can’t see anything behind this hat.”
Vision continued to be a problem for the castmates in the shadow of the hat after boarding the yacht, as The Real Housewives of Miami’s Alexia Nepola said to Candiace, “Do you mind taking down your hat a little bit so I can see the girls?” Gizelle also commented Candiace could “step to the back.”
Candiace is later seen on the yacht without the hat, seemingly giving in to the ladies’ requests. But that hasn’t stopped her from poking fun at her head wear on social media.
She tweeted a drawing of herself wearing the hat and blocking a blonde woman (whose head barely peeks out behind Candiace), apparently drawn by an artist on Instagram — causing her followers to jokingly ask if that’s Leah trying to get around her in the drawing.
Peacock also tweeted a photo of Candiace wearing "Janet," with Leah almost visible behind her, with the caption, “Can you spot her? Woman nearly invisible behind giant floppy hat.” Candiace replied to the tweet, “Not today, Sun rays!!” with the crying/laughing emoji.
Despite her comments on the hat, Alexia did name Candiace and Whitney as the castmates whose fashion she enjoyed the most while on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. Miami Housewife Marysol Patton also admitted she has similar taste as Candiace.
“I actually brought the same hat Candiace did, but when I saw it, I’m like, I’m going to look like an a--hole — I’m just going to leave it in my suitcase,” Marysol said on the show.
While the origin of the giant hat remains a mystery, you can find plenty of affordable options similar to Candiace’s to purchase online, including on Amazon. Hey, at the end of the day, we all want to protect our skin from sunburn, and this hat definitely achieves that.
Watch season three of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip streaming on Peacock now, with new episodes dropping on Thursdays.