Ask anyone what they’re watching on TV at the moment, and the answer is most likely The Traitors. Yes, the BBC reality show has taken over our screens yet again for its third season but there’s more to get excited about than just the contestants – there's Claudia Winkleman’s outfits. In fact, her looks are now so popular, they’ve even coined the new term ‘Traitors-core’. So, we asked Sinead McKeefry, Winkleman's stylist, how exactly we can all recreate the best looks at home.
The answer, in short: fingerless gloves and a good (and specific) search on Google. We’re also tracking exactly where to buy Claudia’s Traitors outfits here, if you’re looking for identical options. But, for those looking to embody the overall look, no matter your budget, here’s what you need to know.
Starting off with the inspiration behind the aesthetic, McKeefry says, ‘I'm very classical at heart, so I've always loved the same kind of design: classic Yves Saint Laurent and any imagery that Amanda Harlech is involved in’. Yet, in quite a stark contrast, she adds, ‘I also love a kind the whole fingerless gloves, kind of distressed, slightly Fagin look’.
This is why the Le Kilt skirt worked so well in season two. ‘I never want Claudia to look, in any sort of a way, fancy dress. So I made sure the kilt I used last year was monochromatic because that fits in with my idea and aesthetic – it’s a little bit darker, you know, and a little bit more McQueen-esque, like the Highlands collection, that sort of thing.’
To recreate it, however, you definitely don’t need a YSL or McQueen kind of budget, as McKeefry takes us through her top ways to weave Traitors-core into our wardrobes, starting with the trousers.
‘If you have the budget, buy a pair of biker jeans from Holland Cooper. If not, go to Decathlon and get yourself a pair of jodhpurs, but make sure they're a muted tone, like grey or black,’ she says.
‘Then I would definitely invest in a really good piece of knitwear in any colour. Of course, look in Zara because that’s the place to go – they have some really great pieces at the minute that are affordable. I saw a cable knit jumper and a really beautiful full-length army green coat, which I thought was very Traitors in there recently. But, on the show, we used Lauren Aston Designs, who handmade a piece last season, and she actually sends out patterns so you can knit your own.’
To finish the look, ‘I think you've obviously got to have your fingerless gloves. If you go onto House of Bruar, you'll pick up a great pair for £34.95. Then, just add a great pair of boots – we love the high Dr Martens boots, the Chelsea’. The short version is still available.
If you’re wondering how to find the other items – the classic tweed blazer, statement knits and tailored coats – simply turn to Google, says McKeefry. ‘You'll get everything from Net-a-Porter to Zara and, you know, that's how I sort of go about my styling. I go, right, how does my budget work? Can I afford to spend this much on a blazer that I can get in Zara and will do the same job, or shall I spend my money on a pair of Bottega boots? We all shop in the same way.’
So, there you have it, the secret to stealing The Traitors style from the expert herself. To leave us with one final insight, while McKeefry can’t share any ‘spoilers’, she did leave us with the teasing line that they ‘have some standout fashion moments to come’. So, now we absolutely have to tune in to find them.
Lauren Cunningham is acting fashion news editor at Grazia. She currently lives between Lisbon and London and is always on the lookout for exciting collaborations, new small brands and those boasting impressive sustainability credentials. Find her on Instagram @laurencunningha.m.