Forget Christmas, the real reason to feel excited right now is the fact that season 3 of The Traitors is coming – and in just under three weeks time. The first three episodes of the new series will be available to watch on New Year's Day and, if you haven't spent the past two Januarys hooked on the first two series of the reality game show, what on earth are you doing?! With hauntingly good tension, it is deliciously addictive stuff. And other than the heart-thumping round table scenes and unbearable cliffhangers, one thing we can never peel our eyes away from is Claudia Winkleman's style.
Working with her stylist, Sinead McKeefry, Winkleman has excited a national furore with her 'haute country' outfits which viewers shopped in their thousands while watching season 2 earlier this year. Now, in newly-released images offering a tiny glimpse into season 3, Winkleman is already inspiring wardrobes everywhere with her first new look. Wearing her signature look of a black blazer with leggings, the presenter added a flourish in the form of a Sister Jane blouse. The ruffled top, complete with black corsage, has sadly already sold out but there are some very similar options still available from the brand.
sisterjane.com
This looks a lot like the sold-out blouse thanks to its all-over ruffles, the shade of blue and the flared sleeves.
sisterjane.com
This style still has the ruffled sleeves and neck detail of Winkleman's original blouse but is slightly more wearable thanks to the overall sleeker silhouette.
McKeefry and Winkleman have developed a very clever formula; Winkleman's ensembles feel entirely relatable and yet, thanks to the canny integration of fashion-forward and luxury labels, remain incredibly aspirational. Think Saint Laurent velvet blazers paired with Commando's velvet leggings and Winkleman's favourite Dr. Martens, which she has described as 'the best boot of all time'.
Luxury brands like The Row and Burberry are often married with ME+EM, Zara and L.K Bennett, while there's always heaps of glorious cashmere (most of it from Brora), floor-sweeping coats, knits sourced from the menswear department and, of course, many pairs of Hunter wellies. There's also always major support for independent brands, particularly when it comes to some of the most-Googled knitwear pieces. Last season, one of Winkleman's most searched-for outfits online included a balloon-sleeve jumper from Mr Mittens, a Belgian-Australian knitwear brand worn with a chunky scarf knitted by independent label Rose & Wül, which creates amazing accessories from the highest quality merino wool.
McKeefry told me that, since the first series of the show, she's had 'friends in retail saying people are coming in and asking for ‘Claudia in The Traitors look’ and my friends in the fashion crowd have been loving it, too.' For season 2, the stylist said Winkleman and she had a clear vision: 'I think because [Claudia and I] enjoyed being back in the process, we had our inspirations and knew what our look wanted to be... Ronnie Corbett meets Princess Anne meets Madonna (in the Guy Ritchie days!)'
Given that some of season 2's final moments included a major fashion moment with Winkleman in a truly theatrical, floor-sweeping fringed coat by Saint Laurent, we can't wait to see what season 3 has in store. As always, the added point of genius? Winkleman wears the coat with her Hunter wellies.
Shop: The Pieces From Claudia Winkleman's Season 2 Wardrobe Still In Stock
www.farfetch.com
To describe Saint Laurent's fringed long coat as a statement piece might be something of an understatement. It's certainly an investment but, considering it's almost sold out, clearly one some are willing to make. Think of it as your shortcut to event dressing; it doesn't even matter what you're wearing underneath when you have a coat this glorious.
www.endclothing.com
Winkleman loves these boots so much that, on learning this particular style was being discontinued by Dr. Martens, wrote an open letter in The Times expressing her disappointment. But don't worry – there are still a few pairs left in select sizes, should you want to experience what Winkleman says is 'the best boot of all time'.
www.roseandwul.co.uk
Approximately two metres long and crafted from the most sumptuous merino wool, this scarf is made to order, and with almost every colour you can imagine to choose from. Ideal for the current cold snap, you'll wear this every winter.
www.notonthehighstreet.com
If you want a similar style that's less than £100, Lauren Aston designs these oversized scarves and sells them via Not On The High Street. Just pick your colour and place your order.
www.farfetch.com
A Burberry trench is always in style – Winkleman's is actually from the men's collection, making it slightly oversized on her and therefore a genius fit.
www.mytheresa.com
The last word in quiet luxury, The Row's cardigan is currently in the sale with 50% off. It is, however, still expensive, so if you want something similar on a high street budget, try this one from Arket.
www.dubarry.com
These trousers are available in many different shades, just in case Winkleman's dark green style aren't your colour.
www.church-footwear.com
These may be an investment but they're certainly one that will last – and they'll never go out of style. Wear them every year and with just about anything.
www.lkbennett.com
Winkleman actually wore the pink version of this L.K.Bennett shirt but, as it's nearly sold out, you'll be pleased to know this cream version – complete with pearly buttons – is still in stock in all sizes.
If you want all the comfort of leggings but an outfit that still looks like you've made some effort, these will be your new favourite thing. Winkleman wore hers with Dr. Martens and a chic blouse.
www.broraonline.com
In many of the outdoor scenes, Winkleman can be seen sporting a pair of cashmere wrist warmers, which her stylist Sinead McKeefry said are either from Brora or Johnston's of Elgin. This pair looks extremely similar to the style seen in the first episode – and they're less than £60 for pure Scottish cashmere.
hunterboots.co.uk
In the first episode of the season 2, Winkleman is once again making wellies look chic. This pair is from Hunter.
www.hollandcooper.com
A brand loved by the Princess of Wales (who has also worn this exact coat), Holland Cooper makes timeless, classic investment pieces that will stay in your wardrobe forever. No doubt this is the first of many excellent coats we see on series two of The Traitors.
luxuryfamilyaffair.com
The now-famous cape is from Luxury Family Affair and is available in a range of colours should you want to deviate from Winkleman's favourite black.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.