The New Housewives are D.C. Chic

Just what the nation’s capital needs — more drama! At least with The Real Housewives of Washington D.C., you know the fireworks will be entertaining. “D.C. is a fun place, and women here have really embraced nightlife and socializing — and fashion!” says Housewife Michaele Salahi, who infamously crashed a White House state dinner last year. “I think D.C. has arrived.” The Bravo series’ cast recently got together, for an exclusive OK! photo shoot, to model the latest femme-suit looks and dish on style, the new season in D.C. — and (of course) one another!

The Real Housewives of Washington D.C. will show a different side of the nation’s capital.

What’s the biggest misconception about life inside the Beltway?

Lynda: That we’re boring, ’cause we’re not! It’s more multifaceted than people give it credit for. You can find all types of people.

Michaele: That people are uptight.

What’s D.C.’s unwritten social rule?

Mary: I’ve lived here my whole life. You can’t let politics get personal. We all have

opinions, beliefs and agendas. It can really interfere with relationships. It’s a great thing to be able to respect one another and our differences. In D.C., that’s key.

Michaele famously crashed the White House state dinner in November 2009. What does everyone think of that?

Michaele: I was cast as the first wife in March 2009 — crashing the dinner was not an audition. It wasn’t a stunt. We went; we gave our names. We were welcomed, announced and never asked to leave.

Catherine: I was disappointed in her choice, but maybe I don’t know my

facts. We’ll see what comes out in the wash. I was supposed to meet President Obama, until Michaele crashed. Then I was uninvited.

Mary: I do not judge people. These women have a sense of class and respect for people, despite their actions.

Lynda: I barely go to the things I am invited to. Perhaps they were under the impression that they were invited guests. So do you all get along?

Stacie: We get along well. I didn’t know the ladies intimately before the show. I’m surprised to find that they’re people I actually like to hang out with, that if I had

a party and didn’t have to invite them, I’d probably invite them anyway.

Lynda: Like any family, there’s not a week that goes by where somebody’s blood pressure doesn’t go up. But in the end, I believe that we are all ladies.

Michaele: I plead the Fifth. Lynda calls me anorexic on the show. I’m willing to

rise above it. We’re fun. We do a lot of good; we have crazy moments, and people

hurt one another. But we will show the greater side of D.C. And some drama. I bonded with Stacie. My husband doesn’t talk to his mom, and when I met Stacie, she told me she’s a foster child and her mother wants no-thing to do with her. I think I could help because I’ve watched my husband’s pain.

Can you tell newcomers by the way they dress?

Michaele: In D.C., people are very polished. When I moved to the country — Hume, Va. — to marry my husband, I was going grocery shopping in my D.C. look, and this older man yelled down the aisle, “Barbie, that look’s not going to work in this area!”

Who has better style: Democrats or Republicans?

Catherine: Definitely Democrats. I haven’t seen a well-dressed Republican yet.