Ever wonder what your favorite celebrities buy when they’re browsing their favorite boutique or shopping online late at night? Welcome to Six Picks, where we ask stars to spill their style and beauty must-haves — so you can shop like you’re famous, too.
Candiace Dillard, a self-proclaimed “Jane of all trades,” has a wardrobe to match the many hats she wears.
“My closet is very organized,” the “Real Housewives of Potomac” star, 36, tells Page Six Style.
“And it needs to be, because I’m filming a reality show, I’m touring with my music, I’m flying here and there for events. It just makes my life easier.”
The multi-hyphenate works with New York City-based stylist Brian Adrian, who scouts pieces that she can rock on stage for her enduring “Deep Space” tour, on set for “RHOP” or even for an impromptu meeting with one of her musical idols, Christina Aguilera.
Such was the case last month when Aguilera, 42 — a noted fan of the “Real Housewives” franchise — invited Dillard to attend a Climate Reality Project event at her home in Los Angeles, where Kesha performed and former Vice President Al Gore made an appearance.
“I felt like I needed my most capable looking outfit to meet Vice President Al Gore and Christina Aguilera,” the “Drive Back” singer says. “I mulled it over in my head, like, ‘Is it a blazer moment? Is it an evening gown moment? Is it a power suit moment?”
Then Dillard remembered a mesh Prada cocktail dress that Adrian added to the “rainy day” section of her closet.
“I texted Brian and I said, ‘I was thinking about wearing the Prada dress,’” she recalls. “He said, ‘I love the dress. Maybe we should do it with your Jimmy Choo sandal.’ I actually forgot I had that sandal. He knows my closet better than me!”
That Jimmy Choo sandal — which Dillard owns in black suede, gold and rhinestone varieties — is just one of her luxe essentials. “It’s a six-inch heel, but I swear to God it’s pretty comfy,” she raves. “Mariah Carey has them in every color. I’m trying to catch up.”
Though Dillard’s sartorial sense certainly includes an appreciation for designer duds, the Upper Marlboro, Md., resident isn’t afraid of incorporating budget-friendly items into her ensembles.
“I do high-low, honey. I am a frugal girl. I love fashion and I will spend the money on shoes, bags, good jewelry, all of that. But I like to mix it up,” she tells us.
“I don’t need a Dolce & Gabbana T-shirt to go under a blazer. Why would I spend $400 for a plain white tee when I can go to Target and get the same thing?”
Before “RHOP” returns to Bravo Sunday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. ET, browse a few of Dillard’s style staples below — including a Beyoncé-approved beauty buy.
“It’s a super high heel, which is great for me because I’m very petite. I love the height on these. I wore the black suede version to meet Christina and I wore my rhinestone version for the latest ‘Potomac Housewives’ cast photoshoot.”
“Setting your face is so important. Back when I did pageants, we used milk of magnesia as a primer and setter because it sealed those pores right up! But we have better technology these days, and Patrick Starr’s setting spray is crazy amazing. It’s Beyoncé’s favorite, so you know it’s good.”
“When I’m recording in the studio, I’m typically in an Ugg. They’re just the most comfortable shoes for me to stand in for long periods of time. The Uggs that I wear, I’ve had for, like, 12 years, and they’re still good. I just can’t bring myself to throw them away. I want to keep them until they’re falling apart, and they’re not falling apart yet.”
“This little green alteration gun, I take it with me everywhere. You can use it if you need to bring in your cleavage, open a stitch, hem a sleeve or hem some pants. It’s great for all of that. And it’s temporary because you can pull it apart if you don’t want to keep it that way.”
“I am a Dior whore. They have a leather embossed large Book Tote that is on my list. I’m going to get it in five minutes. It’s perfect for me because I always have a laptop, I’m always working on the go or doing virtual interviews. I usually have an extra pair of shoes in my bag, I have toiletries in my bag, I have everything in my bag and this one can fit it all.”
“I wear sweats to the studio, but underneath I always have on a Fashion Nova camisole. They’re super comfy and I usually get to a point in a recording session where I get hot and need to take my hoodie off. So I tie it around my waist and then it’s just me singing in my cute cami.”
