THE TRAITORS HAS CHANGED THE FACE OF BRITISH FASHION. HERE’S HOW TO WEAR IT AT ANY AGE
Pass the window of clothing shop on the British high street anytime soon and you’re more than likely to spot a few distinctive items amongst the autumn/winter rails. A chunky Aran knit, a statement boot, a touch of tweed or lace – perhaps even a kilt or a cape.
Myriad factors shape fashion trends, but one influence that cannot be overstated when it comes to the current mood is Claudia Winkleman’s Traitors style. Crafted with stylist Sinead McKeefry, Winkleman’s “Highland goth” aesthetic has been a much-emulated hit – as covetable as it is camp, at once entertainingly theatrical and appealingly wearable.
“I think it’s just a really easy way to dress,” says McKeefry. “If you’ve got a great cashmere jumper, some cool jeans – nothing fancy – a walking boot, and a great tweed blazer, you kind of feel put together. You can mix and match pieces and then before you know it, you’ve got loads of outfits.”
These pieces might well be waiting in your wardrobe already – McKeefry says she gets lots of messages from women in their fifties thanking her for helping them rediscover old favourites. They’re also being snapped up on resale sites like Depop (where searches for argyle print are up 127 per cent) and on the high street.
“You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the look,” says McKeefry. “I was walking through Zara and I could see it everywhere: lace-up chunky boots, big military coats, sludgy greens and gorgeous greys and navies. It was like you could have done a whole season of Traitors in that one trip.”
Whether it’s a statement scarf or a full round table-ready look, anyone can embrace a touch of Celebrity Traitors this season. Duly inspired, some of The Telegraph fashion team – with every generation from twenties to sixties represented – set about paying homage to everyone’s favourite on-screen wardrobe.
Lisa Armstrong, 60s
I wouldn’t normally step out in something this short, but if you’re small, a voluminous cape like this one has to be worn with something slim on the bottom half. Since there were only midi kilts left on the rail by the time it was my turn at the photoshoot, I opted for black tights and pointy boots. In real life I’d wear this with leggings or slim jeans.
I haven’t shopped in Monsoon since the Nineties, but their collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder is excellent. I was impressed by the cape – not too much fabric. I wish it weren’t 100 per cent polyester but I know they’ll say that’s what you get for £130. At least there’s plenty of room for a wool jumper underneath.
Black is very Claudia, but also quite harsh, so we styled it with an ivory and lace silk blouse (Me+Em does excellent ones) and used the tie that comes with it to lighten up the cape. Details, details…
Lisa wears: Black cape coat, £130, Monsoon; Silk and lace blouse, £295, Me+Em; Leather lined snakeskin boots, £495, Russell & Bromley; Wool tights, £38, Swedish Stockings
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Sarah Bailey, 50s
I’ve been so inspired by Sinead and Claudia’s ingenious styling. The high-low aesthetic very much appeals. Most of this outfit can be put together on a high street budget: black leggings from Uniqlo (a snip), M&S pointy goth boots, and a Nobody’s Child blouse. My wow piece was an Aboyne wool mohair tartan coat from The Fold, which though not cheap (£950) is something I would wear forever.
The vibrancy of the tweed is so uplifting and flattering; the face-framing collar was full of drama. And frankly, what an outfit formula! I haven’t worn black leggings outside of an exercise class since I was 16, but strangely enough channeling the whole Claudia attitude for this shoot, has given me the confidence to do so in my fifties... and not just for this Celebrity Traitors season either.
Sarah wears: Mohair tartan coat, £950, The Fold; White tie neck blouse, £65, Nobody’s Child; Leggings, £14.90, Uniqlo; Suede lace up ankle boots, £76, M&S
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Stephen Doig, 40s
As a Scot, I feel I can lay claim more than most to the finer points of baronial Scottish style. Yes, Claudia is the fashion star of the show, her look (and fringe) as sharp as the blade on a traditional Sgian Dubh knife, but fellow Scot Alan Cumming holds his own, camping it up on the US version in sweeps of tartan and Bonny Prince Charlie breeks.
Tartan trews and waistcoats can be so overly mannered and “beetroot-faced toff”, which is why I chose to clash different brightly coloured tartans (don’t tell the clans) for a punkish approach. A poet’s shirt from Connolly, with a ruffled collar that evokes the New Romantics but doesn’t look overly Brigadoon, works nicely in the mix.
Drape a tartan blanket – the kind the Queen would have nestled on her knees at Balmoral – across your torso for a sense of swashbuckling grandeur, and add a pair of evening slippers. They’re all the better for creeping around the castle silently, committing skullduggery in fine style.
Stephen wears: Tartan high waisted trousers, £340, Favourbrook; Wool tartan waistcoat, £290, Favourbrook; Cotton voile shirt, £850, Connolly; Cashmere tartan wrap, £199, Kiltane
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Jessica Burrell, 30s
I find the ease of an all-black outfit so seductive, and emulating Claudia’s style felt like the perfect excuse to submit to that particular temptation. The contrast of the velvet and lace Me+Em dress (technically dark navy) and the faux fur coat added some textural variety.
As Lisa says, black can look a little harsh around the face, so our stylist Alex Fullerton softened things with one of her trusty lace ribbons tied in a bow around the neck. The boots, meanwhile, are a nod to Claudia’s memorable fold-over Givenchy style.
I haven’t worn eyeliner this heavy since I was a teenager. Like many of my friends in their thirties, I have all but given up on eye make-up of late, but it was fun to change things up. I got a few compliments during the evening after our photoshoot, but have found it too high maintenance to repeat since. For now, I’ll leave it to Claudia.
Jessica wears: Faux fur long coat, £510, Unrealfur; Side-buckle block-heel knee-high boots, £119, Charles & Kieth; Silk blend velvet and lace dress, £350, Me+Em; Tights, £32, Aimée Croysdill x Heist Studios
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Hansveni Dave, 20s
The fascination nearly everyone in their 20s has with Claudia Winkleman can easily influence their wardrobe. What starts with my housemates and I liking a skirt or jacket she’s worn on The Traitors very quickly turns into a hunt on Vinted for something similar.
My personal style includes a lot of midi skirts, oversized jumpers, and darker colours, so attempting to blend Claudia’s style with my own felt quite seamless. Swapping my everyday black pleated midi skirt for an olive green kilt felt like a fun way to incorporate the show’s Highland setting.
Another great way to pay homage to Claudia’s style? Boots. Whether they’re knee high or a chunky chelsea boot, they are always my favourite part of her outfits. I’m not usually a silver hardware fan, but this studded pair from Charles & Keith moved the look away from a walk in Balmoral to plotting in the tower.
Hansveni wears: Wool midi kilt, £650, Le Kilt; Brushed cashmere crewneck cardigan, £189, Cos; Brushed cashmere triangle scarf, £119, Cos; Studded convertible kitten-heel knee-high boots, £129, Charles & Keith; Gold plated earrings, £34.99, Pilgrim; Ear climbers, £67, Tyger by the Tail
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The six ways to get Claudia Winkleman's Traitors look, by her stylist
Photography: Andrew Crowley
Hair and makeup: Oonagh Connor at Joy Goodman using Charlotte Tilbury and Merit
Styling: Alexandra Fullerton and Hansveni Dave
Location: With thanks to The Rookery
2025-10-22T07:01:15Z
