5 key fashion tips from Claudia Winkleman's Traitors stylist
It's finally The Traitors season again, bringing with it arguably the best presenter wardrobe on television. That's right: the hit BBC game show may be pulsing with gripping intrigue, twists and cliffhangers, but what we're really hooked on – and have been missing terribly – is Claudia Winkleman's gothic-meets-country fashion. The Traitors is good, but her outfits are better.
Every night Claud cycles through a string of enviable looks, elevating, modernising and adding edge to British countrywear classics with romantic pearls, ruffles and lace, opulent black velvet and glamorous jewel tones. The series is set in the moody Scottish Highlands in a castle with Balmoral vibes, offering style inspiration that both the Royal Family and Dracula would love – talk about a winning combination.
We're always in awe of how expertly Claudia's stylist helps her to blend luxury fashion (the finest cashmere, designer coats, Saint Laurent boots etc.) and heritage brands (Johnston's of Elgin, Brora, Holland Cooper etc.) with more affordable high-street pieces, most memorably including some Decathlon jodhpurs and a pair of red leather fingerless gloves – £25 from Amazon, no less!
So, who is the creative talent behind the covetable outfits dominating office natter, WhatsApp groups and social media? That would be Sinead McKeefry, who also styles Claudia for Strictly Come Dancing (think the star's signature monochrome, a lot of Self-Portrait and the odd flurry of sequins).
For each new series of The Traitors, Sinead brainstorms a mood board with Claudia. For 2024, they settled on a unique, eclectic blend of "Ronnie Corbett, Princess Anne and Madonna in her Guy Ritchie days", and that's developed further for season three. "That classic country heritage look is always my starting point," she said, "but this year I'm ramping up the grungey, gothic edge based on what everybody loved last time – namely that smiley-face Kapital jumper with the Brora kilt and Doc Marten boots – and pushing the boundaries."
Claudia and Sinead "have the same aesthetic", and take a lot of inspiration from fashion muse Lady Amanda Harlech. "Her attitude is that country chic, a bit of a dirty welly, but it's got a punky element to it too," said Sinead. "I'm hugely influenced by her work too, so I've collected a lot of old pictures." She's also added Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie to her lookbook, "for a bit more rock 'n' roll at the Round Table". These evening scenes, where contestants gather to banish someone they think is a traitor, offer Sinead a fun chance to ramp up the dark romantic drama and "use more structure, fabrics like lace and velvet, and edgier cult labels like The Vampire's Wife".
Claudia "fully embraces it all", making Sinead's job much easier. "She's got a lot of fashion confidence herself so she'll send me looks and ideas," she said. "The Traitors is now a little dress-up world in the countryside to us, a big weekend party with lots of different characters. I tend to put knitwear centre stage at breakfast, and then the missions are when we really go for it with chunky scarves, beautiful trench coats and obviously the famous wrist warmers. The styling then gets slicker at night."
Predictably, the passion for Claudia's The Traitors clothes always prompts plenty of sell-outs – Sinead was getting 600 messages a night when the show last aired, and "even the more serious fashion set were going wild for the looks". For season three, the price tags have got higher, but the stylist insists that this "wasn't intentional". "I'm still very much a high/low advocate, but it's just so happened that more luxury pieces have worked within the mood and story this year," she said "I'm obviously very aware of what's going on in fashion, but I'm not brand obsessed – if something is what I'm after aesthetically, I don't care where it's from. If the labels were taken off everything, I'd still end up with the same outfits."
How to get The Traitors look for less
If you love The Traitors aesthetic but lack Claudia's designer budget, here are a few of Sinead's top tips:
Don't miss the menswear section. "I personally will always buy from menswear. For The Traitors I've used Johnston's of Elgin, Officine Generale, Cordings of Piccadilly, Church's and more. But even a classic navy cashmere jumper from M&S can be elevated with some of those little lacy wrist cuffs from ME+EM, or even Amazon these days. Try combining a more classically masculine piece with something more feminine – like an oversized jumper with a lace skirt, as you'll see Claudia do this series."
Pure Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
Crochet Lace Cuffs
Smarten up your staple leggings. "Get a good pair of high-street leggings – the Spanx ones we use are about £50 and don't look like shapewear at all – and you can wear those with a nice tweed blazer. Ditto the Decathlon jodhpurs I got for Claudia in multiple colours for £23.99 each."
Checked Longline Blazer
Seamless Leggings
Book that manicure. "Claudia's red nail is an important point to all her looks, because it goes so well with greys, greens and all those earthy tones we use, elevating anything. A fresh manicure is the easiest way to add polish to any outfit, all year round – even a simple white T-shirt and denim. There's a reason why I've been wearing shellac non-stop for the last three years."
Le Vernis Nail Colour
Try Reiss or Jigsaw for "incredible" tailoring. "I love a black velvet Saint Laurent suit but actually tell clients to look at these two brands for a more wearable alternative. You're still going to be paying £200 or so for a jacket, but once you find 'The One', you never need to buy it again. Saint Laurent works for the TV because it's so dramatic, but in real life, you'd probably actually choose a Reiss or Jigsaw style because you'll get more use out of it – in spring over a T-shirt, in winter over a merino jumper, and in the evening over a sheer shirt with some ribbon. In fact, we have duplicates of one black Jigsaw blazer in case we ever lose it, because Claudia loves it so much."
Fluid Twill Knox Blazer
Parisa Velvet Single-Breasted Suit Blazer
Head to Zara for statement shirts."I've loved Chloé's AW24 and SS25 collections, and have found the best high-street versions of those romantic blouses at Zara. Think bows, frills, chiffon...brilliant bases that you can pick up for about £40. Their Chloé-esque pieces definitely have the Traitors vibe."
Ruffled Romantic Shirt
Shirt with Bows
Whether designer or high-street, we're back hunting out where to shop Claudia's exact outfit each night, along with more affordable alternatives. We're also sitting relieved in the knowledge that once The Traitors comes to an end for another year, we'll be back soon because Celebrity Traitors is on its way!
Shop Claudia Winkleman's The Traitors outfits
Season 3, Episode 6
Mission
In Claudia's words, she's gone "full yeti'. This latest mission coat brings to mind the shaggy black Saint Laurent number (or 'Mick', as Claudia and Sinead called it), that immediately went viral last series. "We thought, 'How about another version of that?', which we found at Matches' in-house brand Raey before it closed," said Sinead. "Then we went to Chanel and bought some fantastic furry boots to go with it."
Fluffy tie-belt coat
Long Faux Fur Coat
Fluffy warm-lined boots
Round Table
Claudia brought out those Bottega boots again, using them to add stompy gravitas to an otherwise preppy look, comprising a navy knitted jacket with cream trims and gold buttons, layered over a sheer roll-neck top.
Season 3, Episode 5
Breakfast and mission
Claudia wore the same look to breakfast and the mission in episode five, only changing her footwear and adding another hero coat, this time check from Johnstons of Elgin. In the morning, she wore a pair of chestnut twin-strap boots from shooting-attire brand Purdey, which Sinead told us was her initial inspiration for the entire Traitors wardrobe this series. "I love that they can be worn in the city as well as the country," she said. "They're really cool."
Sinead styled Claud's textured olive green tank knit over a long white shirt with a handkerchief-style bow for that Victoriana edge, with both pieces also from Purdey. "That shirt was so beautiful, it reminded me of something the New Romantics would wear, with an Adam and the Ants feel." Try these Seasalt and M&S x Sienna Miller pieces if you're on a smaller budget.
Cashmere Aran Tank
Lace Stand Collar Shirt
Women's Ridgeway Twin-Strap Boot
Season 3, Episode 4
Breakfast
Hands up if you need – not want, need – Claudia's roses jumper? Camel and red is one of our favourite colour combinations anyway, and her beautiful knit from Barrie, one of Scotland's oldest cashmere brands, had us in raptures. It's actually from the men's section, just in case you needed another reminder from Sinead to always look there too. The bad news? It costs £1,410. Her grandad-style cords are, once again, from new season-three-favourite Connolly, and her glossy chocolate boots are by The Row.
Round-Neck Cashmere Jumper with Roses Motif
Mission
To head into the woods for the outdoor task, Claudia kept her breakfast outfit on, throwing over a tailored Gucci camel coat with tortoiseshell buttons and swapping her boots for rich brown Hunter wellies. It seems to have sold out, but there are of course plenty of camel coats available to shop elsewhere, including on the high street at much more accessible prices.
Tailored wool coat
Round Table
It was high time for another Claudia velvet blazer, so Sinead delivered the goods with this striking burgundy number with contrasting pink trim from luxury women's tailoring label (and Savile Row's only shopfront for women), Knatchbull. It was layered over a pale pink Zara shirt with a black ribbon at the neck, and styled with her trusty Spanx leggings and bold Bottega Veneta boots. Sadly both the blazer and shirt are no longer available, but we've found some similar alternatives.
Bridie Wine Velvet Blazer
Silk Broderie Trim Blouse + Tie
Season 3, Episode 3
For Friday night's episode of The Traitors, Claudia brought out some Scottish tartan in the form of some green and navy check trousers that we're definitely going to be copying. She'd paired them with a classic grey round-neck jumper and finished off the laidback Highlands look with brown and white fringed loafers (a Miu Miu x Church's collab). Claud's covetable knit, herringbone coat and tartan trousers are all from luxury London label Connolly.
Shop Claudia Winkleman's Traitors outfit...
Smoulder Shetland Crew Neck
$250.00 at connollyengland.com
Black Watch Tartan Trews
$650.00 at connollyengland.com
Shop some similar alternatives...
Soft Plain Knit Sweater
Ladies Cropped Tartan Trousers
Season 3, Episode 2
Sinead gave us teaser of what Claudia would be wearing before the show aired, posting a photo of the presenter wearing a fabulous Fair Isle knit with a surprising skeleton printed on the back – talk about running with a theme! It's from cool Japanese brand Kapital, where Sinead sourced that cable-knit jumper with the smiley-face elbows from last season, and it's the perfect blend of Highlands classic and kooky gothic fun. We've found it at Mr Porter for £535 (there's only one left!), or at Liberty for £455 in a warmer-toned colourway – shop both below.
Claudia's green biker jeans, meanwhile, are from Holland Cooper, the luxury tweed label the Princess of Wales loves. Her boots? They look to be her beloved Doc Martens.
Fair Isle Bone Jumper
Fair Isle Bone Jumper
Biker Jeans
Elsewhere in the programme, Claudia was seen wearing a beautiful speckled brown cape coat, which looks similar to a black style that she's previously worn by London label Luxury Family Affair. The word 'Mission' had been embroidered on the back in white lettering, for a bespoke touch.
Claudia also looked glamorous in a black velvet jumpsuit with a pearl-embellished neckline from luxe French brand Sandro (sadly, it's now out of stock, but we love this Nadine Merabi alternative). Paired with black and white penny loafers and a pop of orange nail polish, we loved everything about this evening ensemble.
Season 3, Episode 1
To kick-start this year's proceedings, meet the class of 2025 and determine who would make the best Traitors, Claudia meant business – and she had the outfit to match.
The presenter wore Bella Freud's Saint James Jacket in appropriate 'Highlands Tweed', styled with a fine-knit black polo-neck, black leggings and black suede ankle boots. Shop her exact blazer below, for £875, or add one of our more affordable high-street picks to basket.
Saint James Jacket Highlands Tweed
Wool Blazer
Checked Longline Blazer
Check Jacket
SEASON TWO
Episode 12
We were very much not ready to say goodbye to our nightly dose of January fashion inspiration. But happily, Sinead and Claudia went out with a bang.
First up was an archetypal mission look featuring some fun red and navy striped fingerless gloves that are sure to prove popular. They're by Margaux & the Bright Lights, stocked exclusively at Wardrobe 44 and made from pure sustainable cashmere sourced from Mongolia.
Claudia was also seen in a grey tweed blazer printed with 'Traitor?' on the back. Iconic.
Maeve Wool Blend Herringbone Blazer
Oversized Blazer
Wool Mix Tailored Jacket
Then, for the last roundtable of the series, Claudia was back in her beloved The Vampire's Wife – because really, which other brand feels quite so perfectly her?
Claudia's crystal-studded, sharp-shouldered, black velvet blazer has sold out at Matches, where some lucky folk snapped it up for 80% off. However, we've hunted down a couple of alternatives that tick a similarly striking box:
Rhinestone Embellished Blazer
Black Glitter Spot Tailored Blazer
Episode 11
When we spoke to Sinead at the beginning of this series, she promised us a fashion moment so "completely outrageous" that, when it hit, we'd know it was the one she meant. Reader, it unquestionably hit during this episode.
Claudia stole the show in one of the most fantastically OTT coats we have ever seen, courtesy of Saint Laurent. In a styling move that exemplifies her approach, Sinead combined this theatrical designer look with Hunter wellies. But best of all, the coat was heavily fringed – an amusing nod to the host's own famously heavy fringe!
Fringed Long Coat
Knee High Wellington Boots
£135.00 at marksandspencer.com
If you're here wondering where Claudia's pink Fair Isle jumper from breakfast is from, then great news: it's still available from Brora and in the sale. To say we've become devout followers of this luxury Scottish cashmere brand's knitwear while watching The Traitors is an understatement – the entire range is already on our Christmas wish list, 11 months early.
Cashmere Folk Jumper
Edie Fair Isle Jumper
For the penultimate roundtable of the series, Claudia kept things classic with black ankle boots, more Spanx leggings and a black velvet blazer.
We're not yet sure where the blazer is from – though we suspect Saint Laurent again – but there are plenty of similar styles on the high street right now.
Olivia Velvet Blazer
Single-Breasted Velvet Blazer
Marina Velvet Blazer
Avani Black Velvet Blazer
Episode 10
Head-to-toe mossy green (a key colour of the series) kicked off the final week of The Traitors. How will we cope without it – the top-tier wardrobe, let alone the drama?
"Love, love, love the green textures and shades," wrote Sinead on Instagram, and we firmly agree.
Claudia's 'super cool' chunky balloon-sleeved knit is £225 from Lauren Aston Designs and available in 25 beautiful colours. The coolest part? If you're feeling crafty, you can knit your own!
The coat we first saw earlier in the series – it's from Officine Generale but has unfortunately sold out on The Outnet.
Meryll Crop Wool Blend Roll Neck Jumper
Recycled Wool Mix Coat
For the roundtable, Sinead brought some of her famous Strictly sparkle into proceedings.
Here, Claudia is 'meaning business' in a bejewelled black blouse from Self-Portrait, layered under what Sinead describes as 'maybe the best blazer ever' from high street favourite Jigsaw. Those hero Spanx velvet leggings make a comeback, too.
Crystal Embellished Mesh Top
Fluid Twill Knox Blazer
Episode 9
When this episode aired, you were no doubt here hunting for this show-stopping red jumper.
Red jumpers are trending heavily among the fashion set right now (see how our very own fashion director is styling hers here), and Claud's is from premium Belgian-Australian knitwear brand Mr Mittens. It'll set you back some £400 (sorry), but we've found some great more bank-balance-friendly options...
Bella Cable Balloon Sleeve Jumper
Wool-Cashmere High-Neck Sweater
Anna Stretch-Knit Jumper
Pure Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper
Loving Claudia's moss-coloured jumbo scarf? Us too. It's £300 from Nottingham-based small business Rose & Wul, knitted using hands rather than needles by designer Nadine Rose.
There are also lots of chunky knit scarves on Etsy and Not on the High Street, made by some seriously talented crafty folk, so check those platforms out too.
Episode 8
There was another kilt to die for in the eighth episode, slightly longer this time from Le Kilt. It's £250 and almost sold out but we love this more affordable option from Heritage of Scotland:
Ladies Deluxe Billie Kilted Skirt
$49.99 at heritageofscotland.com
Claudia's cream cable knit jumper, meanwhile, is from Albaray. It's gone now – blame 'the Claudia effect' – but there are tons of similar styles available.
Wool Blend Herringbone Jumper
Cable Knit Turtleneck Sweater
Cable-Knit Alpaca Jumper
Cable Knit Longline Jumper
Lastly, of course, it's time for another round rable, and let's just say they'll be a red velvet blazer on your wish list by the time 10pm rolls around.
Claud's is from Bella Freud, as that long coat was last episode, but it's shot off the shelves. No bother, just head for the high street...
Extra Fine Merino Crew Neck Jumper
Blake Cord Blazer
Episode 7
Claudia brought all the gothic glamour for this show, featuring a dramatic veiled fascinator for a mock funeral, no less. To nail this sombre style, Sinead dressed the host in head-to-toe black, pairing a long Saint Laurent coat with her go-to Spanx leggings. This was high-low fashion at its finest, once again.
Velvet Leggings
Episode 6
Let's vamp things up, shall we? Claudia's coat for this episode was a floor-length herringbone tweed stunner by Bella Freud, inspired by Bianca Jagger, £1,250 and sold out in all but one size. She layered it over an all-black look with a pop of accent colour courtesy of her cherry red manicure. *Chef's kiss*.
Oversized Double-Breasted Coat
Original Nail Polish in Russian Roulette
Fingerless Cashmere Gloves
For the banishment, Claudia turned once again to a killer sharp blazer (from tweed specialists Walker Slater) and Commando leggings combo.
There is now no room in our wardrobe for all the jackets we need after watching this show.
Double-Breasted Blazer
Episode 5
It's time for a Burberry trench coat! For this show, Claudia looked to a bonafide classic, thrown nonchalantly over a slouchy camel cardigan by A-list favourite The Row and a silk shirt with romantic lace detailing from ME+EM. Share in our joy when we unearthed that gem in the January sale...
Silk Summer Tux Shirt
...and a star of a staple trench from M&S:
Cotton Rich Belted Longline Trench Coat
Now for something a little more dramatic to ramp up the drama...
To send another contestant packing, Claudia wore a 'mulberry wine' tweed blazer from small London label Anna Mason, over a blush pink shirt with pearl buttons by LK Bennett (still available in some sizes at John Lewis, or in cream from the brand itself). Her staple black leggings? They're Spanx!
Sonya Viscose Woven Top
Episode 4
The fourth episode saw the debut of a roll-neck jumper that has shot straight to the top of our wish list. From the menswear section of Johnstons of Elgin (a luxe Scottish cashmere brand, as per), it's already disappeared – sob – but we love these snuggly high street takes:
Anyday Melange Knit High Neck Jumper
Cypher Wool Blend Turtleneck Sweater
Claudia's olive green leggings, meanwhile, are from Wardrobe NYC (an 'excellent investment', according to Sinead).
Dressing to reign over the round table, Claudia stunned in a sparkly black velvet mini dress by British designer label The Vampire's Wife.
It's still available in a few sizes on Flannels, and heavily marked down...
Whole Lotta Trouble Dress
Episode 3
Sinead is so skilled at giving heritage style a fresh, contemporary edge. Case in point: this dream of a countryside outfit that feels both elegant and effortless. Claudia's fair isle jumper is from Scottish cashmere brand Brora, and in the sale! Check out M&S's monochrome style too – it looks so much more expensive than £45.
Cashmere Fair Isle Jumper
Fair Isle Ribbed Jumper with Wool
Claud's Chelsea boots, meanwhile, are Dr Martens, and you'll see her wearing these a lot throughout the series. Claudia's exact 2976 Hi Smooth Leather pair ('the best boots of all time', she said in The Times) are out of stock in almost all sizes, but there are plenty of other similar styles to browse for a that classic grungy look.
Leather Chelsea Boots
Episode 2
This mossy green cable knit jumper with its playful smiley elbow patches set a lot of tongues wagging. It's actually a menswear piece by hip Japanese label Kapital but sorry, it's flown off the shelves. The cute tartan skirt is by Brora, but we're also loving this Boden number:
Kilt Mini Skirt
Episode 1
Kicking things off in striking Scandi noir style, Claudia rocked a grey and navy argyle jumper from British heritage brand Purdey, layered over a white Peter Pan collar blouse.
Her longline tailored black coat came from Holland Cooper, a brand loved by the Princess of Wales – capped off, of course, with Hunter wellies and Fagin-esque fingerless gloves (one of her signature accessories for this show).
Double-Breasted Wool Coat
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