If you were scrolling through social media anytime late in 2023, you probably saw the clip. It’s hard to miss. Denise Richards, looking slightly glazed over, sitting across from Dorit Kemsley at a dinner party that can only be described as "chaotic." Then comes the moment that launched a thousand memes: the Denise Richards upside down jacket incident.
It’s one of those reality TV snippets that feels like a fever dream. Dorit leans in, whispers something about the garment, and Denise shuts her down with a sequence of "Don’t do this" that has since been etched into the Bravo hall of fame. But if you think it was just a drunk lady making a wardrobe mistake, you’re actually missing about 90% of the story.
Honestly, the context makes it way more interesting than just a fashion fail.
The Dinner Party From Hell
The scene went down during Season 13 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Kyle Richards—who was going through her own very public marital transition—hosted a marijuana-infused dinner. Naturally. While some guests were "lit" from the THC-infused courses, Denise Richards seemed to be on a completely different planet before she even sat down.
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She was slurring. She was picking fights with Erika Jayne about things that happened years ago. She was basically a walking personification of "I’d rather be anywhere but here."
When it was time to leave, Denise grabbed her coat. It was a pink, feathery, vintage piece—specifically an A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage Cult 1980s collarless feather jacket. In her rush to exit what she later called a "trap house," she threw it on.
She threw it on upside down.
Dorit Kemsley, never one to let a fashion emergency go unaddressed, tried to help. Or at least, she said she was trying to help. She leaned over and whispered, "I think your jacket is upside down."
What followed was pure gold. Denise didn't just disagree; she went into a defensive crouch.
"Don’t do this. Don’t do this. I know what you’re doing. Stop it."
Why the Denise Richards Upside Down Jacket Caused a Meltdown
To the casual viewer, Denise’s reaction seemed totally unhinged. Why get so aggressive over a coat?
Well, Denise eventually spilled the tea on Bethenny Frankel’s Just B podcast. According to her, it wasn't about the feathers at all. It was about Dorit’s habit of "styling" people as a way to assert dominance. Denise claimed that every time she sees Dorit, the woman has something negative to say about her appearance—a stray hair, a smudge of lipstick, a wardrobe malfunction.
Basically, Denise felt Dorit was trying to make her look messy for the cameras. She knew she was already having a rough night, and she wasn't about to let Dorit "fix" her in front of the crew.
"I didn't give a flying ass about a jacket," Denise said later. She just wanted to leave.
Was she actually "under the influence"?
This is the big question everyone asked. Denise’s behavior was... erratic. She claimed she wasn't high on the weed dinner—she actually said she can't handle marijuana at all. Her explanation? A combination of being sick, taking three COVID tests that day (all negative), a "stiff drink" before arriving to calm her nerves, and some cold medicine.
We’ve all been there. One drink on an empty stomach when you’re fighting a flu can turn you into a philosopher or a fighter. Denise chose both.
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The "Thank You, You're Welcome" Moment
The jacket was just the beginning. The night also gave us the iconic "Thank you... you’re welcome" loop. Denise was trying to argue with Erika Jayne, lost her train of thought, and ended up thanking herself and welcoming herself in the same breath.
It was a masterclass in unintentional comedy.
But here’s the thing: Denise is a pro. She’s been in the industry since the 90s. She’s dealt with Charlie Sheen-level drama. A little bit of feathery-jacket-shaming isn't going to break her. In fact, she later appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and wore the Denise Richards upside down jacket again—on purpose.
She leaned into it. She showed that the jacket actually can be worn both ways because of its collarless 80s cut. She basically told the world that if she wants to wear her clothes upside down, that’s just high fashion.
Actionable Takeaways from the Denise-Dorit Drama
If there's anything we can learn from this specific brand of Beverly Hills chaos, it's probably these three things:
- Trust your gut on "helpful" friends. If someone always points out your flaws under the guise of "helping," they might just be trying to make themselves feel more secure. Denise’s "Don't do this" was a boundary, even if it was a blurry one.
- Check your meds. Mixing "one drink" with "strong cold medicine" is a recipe for an upside-down evening. If you're feeling under the weather, maybe just stay home and skip the weed dinner.
- Own the mistake. Denise didn't go on a formal apology tour. She laughed at it, wore the jacket again, and moved on. The faster you turn a "fail" into a "moment," the less power it has over you.
The Denise Richards upside down jacket is now a permanent part of reality TV history. It’s a reminder that even the most glamorous people in the world can have a night where they just can't find the armholes. And honestly? It made her more relatable than she’s been in years.
To keep your own wardrobe from becoming a meme, always check the tag placement before heading out the door, especially if you've had a pre-party cocktail.