D'Andra Simmons' closet had its own story line in Real Housewives of Dallas. She jokes that it's "big enough for a slumber party." And it is.
Before Simmons joined the cast of Real Housewives of Dallas for its second season, she got into fighting shape, losing about 40 pounds to get healthy, and, "you know, thin enough where I passed the test," she says. One great side effect: She was able to be more daring in her fashion choices -- with her closet as the beneficiary.
As she walks through the closet, she tells the stories behind the clothes, shoes and handbags. Some won't ever be worn again: "If you get photographed, it's done," she says.
That means no to the ivory Brandon Maxwell tunic she wore on her first episode of RHOD or that Oscar de la Renta feather cocktail dress.
Her closet is stocked with de la Renta, including one gown originally valued at $18,000. OK, so she was once engaged to de la Renta's wife's godson, but it's more because de la Renta is her favorite designer. She also likes Carolina Herrera's styles. Both designers "fit her curves."
D'Andra Simmons has advice for anyone trying to stay in style: Don't. Just stick to some of her favorite things.
A big bag
Her fave: a vintage One Flap Chanel Jumbo Bag that was $4,400 when she bought it in the early '90s. "They do not make this style right now," she says.
Her story: "I ordered a Birkin (some go for $48,000) and was like, 'What am I doing?' ... I gave it back to them and took that money and went to Africa."
A jacket shrug
Her fave: a Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons black geometric-style jacket shrug from the collection for the 2017 fall season from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. She got it on sale for $1,400; the original price was $2,600.
Her story: "My husband is a retired military veteran," she says. "We have a budget, believe it or not, of what I can spend. If I like it, I buy it if I can afford it." She shops at Neiman Marcus but also Target, H&M, Steve Madden and Forever 21.
"It's just about what style, whether it costs $24.99 or $2,499," she says.
A statement jacket
Her fave: a Comme des Garcons black and white, flower-swirled jacket. The cost? She's seen it for $1,360, but she thinks she nabbed it for $350.
Her story: "You can actually get great deals at The Salvation Army Fashion Show and Luncheon if you know your designers and the worth of the pieces on the runway."
Something that brings you joy
Her fave: a pinky ring first given to her mother by her stepfather and then given to her. She guesses it would cost $12,000 to $15,000 because of the "quality and workmanship."
Her story: "When Real Housewives of Dallas started this season, people on social media were calling me the Queen Bee, and they were sending me gifts with bees, and now I have an entire collection of bee items," she says.
Statement shoes
Her fave -- or her "current favorite," we should note: gem-studded Givenchy pointed-toe mules, $995
Her story: "When I went to New York for my first appearance on Watch What Happens Live! in November, with Andy Cohen, I was not totally sold on my outfits that I had brought from Dallas." She ended up buying these shoes at Saks in New York and wearing them with distressed black jeans and an Escada floral jacket. "I love that they look like a disco ball on your feet," she says.
Fun fact
"I used to work at the New York [Saks] store in my 20s as a manager, and before that as an assistant to Rose Marie Bravo, who was the president of the store at the time. I wonder if her last name was a premonition for my future as a cast member on Bravo television!"
