The Strictly Come Dancing launch show was everything you'd expect – sleek, glamorous and show-stopping, and that was mostly just thanks to Claudia Winkleman's fringe. For some, the best time of the year has arrived – no, I'm not referring to cosy nights in, hot chocolates galore and every candle in the house lit by 4 pm. I am, in fact, referring to the return of Strictly Come Dancing taking over your TV on a Saturday night. Of course, that also means the return of a handful of familiar faces: the pro dancers, the judges, Tess Daly, and, of course, Claudia Winkleman. On Saturday night, all eyes were on Winkleman, and not just on whether her fringe does actually allow her to read the autocue, but on what she was wearing too.
Winkleman (styled by Sinead McKeefry) graced our screens wearing a dress that was incredibly flattering and from the high street. Her exact chosen style was Zara's Crepe Dress With Shoulder Pads, a dress that retails for under £40. Never one to forget about the high street, Winkleman, who's also a long-time Marks & Spencer ambassador, paired the Zara dress with white stilettos and numerous mixed metal bangles. The dress, with its boxy shoulder pads, long sleeves and gathered detail down the bodice, is what I'm calling the perfect party dress, whether you choose to go down the Winkleman-esque styling route and pair it with heels, or with chunky biker boots for a more casual look.
Shop: Claudia Winkleman's Exact Strictly Launch Show Dress
Exact match
Zarawww.zara.com
Zara's Crepe Dress With Shoulder Pads, as seen on Claudia Winkleman during the Strictly Come Dancing launch show, features plenty of elegant details, including a high neck, shoulder pads and gathered detailing down the front.
In her Zara dress, Winkleman did what she always does best: take something we could all, in theory, add to our own wardrobes, and elevate it into a statement_. While the rest of us might nip into Zara on our lunch break and call it a high street win, Winkleman (of course, with the wonderful assistance of_ McKeefry) manages to make high street look like high fashion – proof that kajal eyeliner and a statement fringe really are the best accessories.
Plus, with The Traitors: Celebrity arriving on 8th October, we're gearing up for double Claudia on our screens and, more importantly, double the outfits. Here's hoping she sprinkles a few more high street gems into the mix, because nothing thrills us more than the chance to shop Winkleman's look without blowing our monthly budget. After all, Winkleman's strictly not one to keep her styling hacks hidden.
Shop: Alternatives To Claudia Winkleman's Zara Dress
Mango shop.mango.com
Mango's Ruched Fitted Dress can either be dressed up or down with a simple change of shoes. An excellent style for the party season ahead, the dress features short sleeves, side pleats and a round neck.
Whistleswww.whistles.com
Whistles' style might be black rather than navy, but there are a couple of details that also make it incredibly similar to Winkleman's gathered design. It features ruching on either sides, a round neckline and elegant long sleeves, too.
Selfridgeswww.selfridges.com
Tove's Eadan dress also has a very similar design to Winkleman's, with its slim fit, long sleeves and draped neck detailing. Also one that's a good party dress, style the Tove iteration with a pair of white flip flop heels and a statement clutch.
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.