Tamra Barney of ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’

The “reality” part of reality television seems to be a word thrown in just for effect. More often than not it means “not traditionally scripted.” But when it comes to a show such as The Real Housewives of Orange County, airing Tuesdays on Bravo, the “real” means just that. These women are, in fact, real housewives in Orange County, and they’ve opened their lives up to all of us.

And for O.C. housewife Tamra Barney, who joined the group last season, it also means opening her closet. Last season she was trying to build her real estate career while balancing her home, her four kids and husband Simon. This season she’s decided to be a stay-at-home mom, which may turn out to be even more of a challenge. But regardless of how this all works out, there’s no denying her sense of style: It’s that easy, breezy California casual balanced with a hint of glam that makes the rest of us a little jealous that we don’t have any palm trees in our backyard.

Another word for California style is relaxed. It includes designer denim, stylish tops, some dominant accessories, and shoes or boots that pick up where the accessories leave off. And Tamra definitely got that memo. Her closet has the requisite camisoles, tanks and halters necessary for showing off shoulders on those warm Southern California afternoons, and some very fun shorts and jeans to keep things casual down below.

Among her best tops is a beautiful Brown Felina Leopard halter from Sky. It’s made of 100 percent silk in a mixed leopard print with brown leather banding below the bust. Braided straps cross and tie in the back. Sky has a number of perfectly California-style tops and dresses, and not surprisingly, Tamra has several. Another of our favorites is her sash-bow blouse from BCBG Max Azria. This black-and-white number features a white blouse with an open collar and cap sleeves with a black sash that cinches in front into a bow. It looks great over dark jeans.

Of course, it seems that every California girl, regardless of age, has a tube top in her closet, and Tamra is no exception. Luckily it’s not the small, midriff baring tubes of the ’70s, but rather a stylish basic full-length tube top with ruched sides from Arden B. Made from nylon and spandex, these are not for the faint of heart and should be used sparingly – no matter how nice a job your plastic surgeon did on those implants.

Down below, Tamra has excellent taste when it comes to covering her stems. She regularly sports a pair of Little R Sadie Boot-Cut white jeans from Raven. These are a low-rise (7.5 inches), lightweight, soft denim with a classic five-pocket design. She also has a few pairs of Joe’s Jeans, including a pair of white ankle-stretch cigarettes and the classic-cut Socialites.

No matter how you look at it, there’s something very comfortable about life in Orange County.

Comments

Season 4 of The Real Housewives of Orange County, in an episode that aired Feb/2009, TAMRA was wearing a red (burnt orange?) dress or top at the japanese restaurant \"Osaka\" that she went to with her father, Frank while she was in Iowa. She also wore a BLUE version of the same thing while it flashed to her comments/narrating at this same time during the restaurant scene. I don\'t even know if it\'s a blouse or dress? PLEASE can you tell me where to find it?!!

XLNTMOMMY | Feb 16, 2009 9:15:03 PM | #

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(In reference to the above comment) I forgot to add:

Especially the BLUE One!

And Thank you for any info you may lend to me, considering I am desperate to find this!

XLNTMOMMY | Feb 16, 2009 9:16:56 PM | #

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