The Reality Star Style Awards are back again in the latest issue of Us Weekly, and honestly, a retrospective of the best fashion and beauty moments is the next best thing to watching your favorite friendships, feuds and juicy love triangles play out on screen.
From standout reunion looks to unforgettable personal style signatures, this roundup captures everything we can’t stop talking about.
Of course, no list would be complete without Luann de Lesseps’ iconic fedora or Lindsay Hubbard’s impeccable, Charlize Theron-inspired bob that’s equal parts chic and aspirational.
Other notable mentions include Southern Charm darling Madison LeCroy’s effortlessly polished Southern belle aesthetic and the jaw-dropping $10 million diamond necklace seen on Love Island’s Olandria Carthen at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash.
Meet Us Weekly’s Top 11 Reality Stars of the Year
Continue scrolling for the showstopping style and glam highlights we’re still obsessing over:
BEST WE-GOT-THE-MEMO REUNION LOOK
Real Housewives of Atlanta
Stormy weather at July’s season 16 finale didn’t stop the Georgia peaches from letting the sunshine in. In shades of marigold, buttercup, chartreuse and gold, (from left) Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, Porsha Williams, Shamea Morton, Angela Oakley, Kelli Ferrell and Drew Sidora turned lemons into delicious lemonade. Ferrell called her Kristina Kharlashkina creation “ocean goddess energy,” and Bailey joked about her sunny Jovani, “Lord knows we all need the brightness.” There was deeper meaning too: Parks’ Le Than Hoa gown was inspired by the cast trip to Grenada and the “powerful spirit of Grenadian women: resilient, graceful and deeply connected to their heritage.”
IN MEMORIAM
The Countess’ Fedora
In February, Luann de Lesseps shared the unthinkable: Her signature headpiece was missing. “New York! I need your help finding my iconic Philip Treacy cabaret hat,” she begged her millions of followers. “If you’ve seen her, email me. A countess without her hat is simply not acceptable.” Fedora (Dora for short, at least to Us) had been through it with De Lesseps, 60, from shows at Café Carlyle to supercharged speed dating on Love Hotel. As of press time, Dora had not been located, and anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts was urged to contact the Countess’ assistant. And, of course, the “Chic C’est La Vie” singer added, “Your discretion is appreciated.”
DESIGNER ICON
Bronwyn Newport
The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star, 40, never met a confessional, Fashion Week front row, Sprinter van or gangplank she didn’t automatically make hauter. (Her head-to-toe Moschino flotation-device-inspired getup on SLC’s season 6 Below Deck crossover, bottom, belongs in the Housewives Hall of Fame.) As chic as she is playful, Newport isn’t afraid to experiment, take risks or make a bold statement, including literal ones, like when she showed her support for the trans community in a Conner Ives “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt (top right) on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in November. She is never not serving — which means we are never, ever disappointed.
BEST COMMITMENT TO A THEME
Alan Cumming
You have received the most votes and are banished — to the Isle of Fabulosity! Cumming, 61, has won Tonys, BAFTAs, Emmys and Oliviers for his work on screen and stage. But his most dramatic role is as The Traitors’ ominous guide, always draped in showstoppers styled by Emmy winner Sam Spector. In the fourth season at Scotland’s Ardross Castle, Cumming brought everything from traditional tartan to edgy chain mail accents. His coffin coat signaled a challenge involving caskets. A faux-fur-lined blue cape (and matching locks) portended mystery. We can’t wait to see what’s up his voluminous sleeves come season 5.
BEST DIVA RETURN
Rachel Zoe
We didn’t realize how much we missed this kaftan queen until she swanned back in amid swirling layers of fabric. The Rachel Zoe Project wrapped its fifth and final season on Bravo in 2013, and now, thanks to her joining season 15 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the celebrity stylist, 54, and her dreamy wardrobe are back in our lives. It’s impossible to pick a favorite, but this Reem Acra stunner is bananas (in a good way).
MOST ICONIC GLOW-UP
Whitney Leavitt
Here’s a secret: Leavitt was always a style standout. While most of MomTok has stuck to a uniform of Rapunzel-long waves, athleisure and bodycon dresses since the 2024 Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiere, Leavitt, 32, has been experimenting. She’s rocked multiple hair colors and cuts, paired bobby socks with heels, and bowed at the altar of the giant headband. Now she’s leveling up. The Dancing With the Stars alum and Broadway vet — she plays Roxie Hart in Chicago through May — has confidence to spare, and it shows. The mom of three is still herself, just elevated, like in a gorgeous Simkhai frock at the premiere of The Beauty in January.
BEST HOMAGE
Lisa Rinna as Rob Rausch
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery one can get from Rinna. The former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills showed off her talent for mimicry when she dressed as costar and pal Erika Jayne in 2018. In February, the Traitors contestant was back at it, as season champ Rausch. A day after the finale aired, Rinna, 62, celebrated the Love Island USA star’s win in his signature look: overalls with one strap undone (he often skips the tank top). Even though Rausch was instrumental in getting Rinna banished from the competition, she not only paid him sartorial tribute, she helped him snag a Birkin for fellow costar Maura Higgins (also on our list).
BEST MOM BOB
Lindsay Hubbard
Hubbard said hi to baby girl Gemma in December 2024 and bye to long locks four months later. “Oh my god!” she exclaimed in a video documenting the chop. “He’s still going!” By July, she was back in the chair for an update, with Charlize Theron as her inspo. A month earlier on Watch What Happens Live!, the Oscar winner had dramatically read Hubbard’s Instagram post marking the first anniversary of her breakup with Summer House costar Carl Radke. Charlize “inspired me,” Hubbard, 39, said of her new ’do: “So I channeled her!”
BEST SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
Madison LeCroy
When the single mom started appearing regularly on Southern Charm in season 6, she came in hot. By season 10 last year, things were different: The entrepreneur, 35, had wed and welcomed a baby with Brett Randle — and had become the welcoming, cool-headed voice of reason. She counseled ex Austen Kroll on his relationships, romantic and otherwise, including his falling-out with buddy Shep Rose. She gave it to Craig Conover straight when she thought his attitude needed an adjustment. And she did it all while looking like the fab Southern belle she is. It’s no surprise Charleston society grande dame Patricia Altschul has always had a soft spot for LeCroy: It’s clear she’s been taking notes!
MOST CONFIDENT NEWCOMERS
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island
What’s the point of making an entrance if no one notices? The newest Housewives — (from left) Jo-Ellen Tiberi, Ashley Iaconetti, Alicia Carmody, Kelsey Swanson, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Liz McGraw and Rosie DiMare — came out swingin’, fashion-wise. Since the show’s April 2 debut, viewers have been blitz-attacked by sequins, gold discs and beading. Many pieces, like McGraw’s Akira brocade top and DiMare’s Bella Barnett tulle mini, are under $100. Even bigger-ticket items, like Nehme Pontarelli’s Michael Costello jumpsuit and Tiberi’s Susana Monaco strapless, are affordable by Housewives standards. We love that for them — and for us!
The Best ‘Traitors’ Season 4 Looks Including Alan Cumming, Lisa Rinna and More
BEST USE OF HATS
Maura Higgins
The Traitors contestant gave host Alan Cumming a run for his money when it came to showstopping-est style in the Scottish Highlands. The Irish TV presenter’s array of over-the-top headgear may have been strategic (distract your enemy!), and we fell for it. Her inspiration mood board was vast, spanning from Jamiroquai to Carmen Sandiego, and included styles by millinery brands Vivien Sheriff and Sarah Sokol. Although Higgins, 35, didn’t walk away with the bag, she did get a bag: the Hermès Birkin promised to her by Traitor Rob Rausch after he double- crossed her. He surprised her with it on Watch What Happens Live! in March.
HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS
Kristen Kish
It’s hard to imagine any article of clothing not looking perfect on this tattooed Top Chef winner turned series host (who also happens to be a former model), but Kish truly never misses. Since taking over for beloved longtime host Padma Lakshmi in 2024, the chef, 42, has won over viewers (and nabbed two Emmy nominations) with her talent, kindness and, let’s face it, effortlessly cool looks. Show stylist Charlotte Rose Coleman — whose first season with the series was No. 10 in 2006, which Kish won — has said that her job is to make the host look like herself. That means absolutely no dresses, a palette of mostly neutral colors and lots of suiting with unexpected details, like a super-high waist, flared pant or bikini top in place of a blouse. Kish’s favorite outfits are ones that don’t just provide (artisanal, homemade) eye candy but are also “10/10 comfort.” Please unpack your slacks and stay!
BEST BLING
Olandria Carthen
She was the runner-up on season 7 of Love Island USA alongside boyfriend Nic Vansteenberghe, but all we see is a winner. Not only are the couple still together, Carthen, 27, is a newly minted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, appearing in the brand’s March edition. But her crown jewel moment, the one we can’t stop thinking about, is her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, where she wore a plunging Pajtim Raci gown and an Azature diamond back necklace worth $10 million. “I was scared AF the whole night,” she posted on X about the bauble. “Jumping every time ppl reach for a hug.” She had nothing to worry about. Whether dealing with the hot Fiji sand or cool Hollywood ice, Carthen nails it.
