Is It Just Me Or Can Happy Valley’s Catherine Cawood Teach Us Style Lessons As Well As Life Lessons?

Catherine Cawood is the cold-weather style icon we've been waiting for.

Catherine Cawood Happy Valley

by Natalie Hammond |
Published on

One of the only things getting me through January - sorry to be a downer - is Happy Valley. And to eke out that warm and fuzzy feeling going for as long as possible - not from the plot, obviously, I'll never be able to open a suitcase in the same way - I'll happily read any conspiracy theory going, as well as insightful commentary about the prison haircut of a certain Tommy Lee Royce.

Catherine Cawood Happy Valley
©BBC

But in episode four, something struck me about Catherine Cawood. Not only is she the best thing to happen to British TV, but she's something of a cold-weather style icon. I know, perhaps this is one fan theory that's gone too far, but hear me out. Happy Valley is set in West Yorkshire, which means that the costume department has gone all out when it comes to beanie hats, puffer jackets (Richard was sporting a rather nice one that looked like it could have been The North Face) and duffel coats.

Siobhan Finneran Happy Valley
Siobhan Finneran as Clare Cartwright ©BBC

As well as devising ever-more ingenious ways of describing someone as a psychopath - 'vacuous thug', 'a black hole', 'a nasty, negative, nothing' - Catherine has finessed a signature for off-duty that's, frankly, all we want to wear right now. Revolving around a green puffer coat, she completes the outfit with a space-dyed scarf that's just the right degree of chunky. What did we tell you?! Clare Cartwright might be number one on our shit list, but she certainly knows her way around a duffel coat. In fact, she's got a bit of a boho vibe going on. In episode four, she wore a particularly fetching trio comprising of a sheepskin coat, a natty scarf and pair of glass bead earrings. I'm into it.

Obviously, the clothes are a distraction from the drama. But with the pressure ratcheting up, it's a nice one to have.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us