Reworded: The combination of Claudia Winkleman’s tartan and gothic style in Traitors may seem unlikely, but somehow it works.

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Is my closet in need of a kilt? This is not a question I ever expected to ask myself. However, I did not anticipate the influence of Claudia Winkleman. In the second episode of The Traitors’ second season, she confidently entered the breakfast room wearing a green and navy plaid skirt, and I have been unable to get it out of my mind.

In theory, Winkleman was expected to look like she was dressed up as a bagpiper or wearing an old school uniform. Surprisingly, she looked amazing. However, the presenter has a history of pulling off unconventional looks that somehow work. Her signature style includes a full fringe that covers her eyes, thick eyeliner, and a noticeable tan. While others may receive criticism for trying to copy her style, it only adds to Winkleman’s charm and makes her one of the most recognizable faces on British television. She even joked about how her unique appearance helped her career: “I used to get jobs because people would remember me as ‘that strange one with the fringe,'” she shared with The Times last year.

In December 2022, the initial season of The Traitors premiered on BBC One and became a surprise hit, attracting an average of 5.4 million viewers per episode. It garnered a total of 34 million viewers on BBC iPlayer. Winkleman’s presence played a significant role in its immense success, earning her a Bafta award for best entertainment performance as a presenter. This was her fourth nomination and first win.

Yes, the backstabbing, betrayals and mind games that contestants ended up embroiled in made for addictive viewing – but so did Winkleman’s English heritage meets fashion-forward panto villain style. Dreamedup with the help of her long-time stylist Sinead McKeefry, who studied fashion at Central Saint Martins under the legendary tutor Louise Wilson and has previously worked at The Face magazine, Winkleman’s Traitors look reflected her new guise as the goth lady of the manor. Swapping the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom to stalk the corridors of a castle in the Scottish Highlands meant that sequins and smiles were out; in their place was knitwear so oversized it constantly seemed on the verge of engulfing the presenter (or at least teaming up with her famously vision-obscuring fringe to swallow up her face completely). The overall aesthetic was a clever “mixture of country style and dark glamour”, with a dash of Scandi noir (that’d be the jumpers) and TikTok-favoured dark academia, says Jennifer Richards, fashion academic and research tutor at the Royal College of Art.

During the event, discussions also included tweed blazers, argyle checks, pussybow blouses, and Barbour jackets. These pieces were paired with various fingerless gloves, adding a slightly villainous touch, perfect for rubbing one’s hands together in excitement when things get intense at the round table. Additionally, many of these outfits were complemented by a dark green hooded cape, which Winkleman often wore while meeting with the “traitors” in the game, who were responsible for eliminating their fellow contestants while pretending to be loyal. Winkleman’s signature heavy eyeliner and radiant fake tan (which she once revealed she achieves using old tea bags and Bisto granules) completed the look, giving her a unique and bold appearance that may not make sense on paper, but she effortlessly pulled off every time. In fact, her style even inspired others to dress like the enigmatic owner of a haunted country estate.

Winkleman has previously mentioned Carine Roitfeld, the former editor of French Vogue, as a fashion inspiration. It’s no surprise then that, according to celebrity stylist Krishan Parmar, her wardrobe in “Traitors” effortlessly combines Parisian style with the structure and substance of high-end countryside looks. Parmar, who has worked with celebrities like Vicky McClure, Anita Rani, and Lashana Lynch, also notes that quiet luxury has been a major trend over the past year, partly thanks to “Succession’s” Kendall Roy and his expensive baseball caps. Parmar adds that Winkleman has mastered this trend while tailoring it to her surroundings in the Highlands. Fellow stylist Jennifer Richards agrees, highlighting Winkleman’s focus on classic tailoring and timeless pieces while on the job. While some of her clothes may be from luxury brands like Saint Laurent, Richards points out that they can easily be replicated with simple silhouettes and affordable options from high street stores – making them even more attractive for those on a tighter budget. Similarly, McKeefry often completes these looks with accessories from high street brands, which are accessible for anyone to own, according to Richards.

The standard for fashion has been set high for the second season, but Winkleman and McKeefry have successfully met the challenge. The initial three episodes premiered on iPlayer last Wednesday and aired consecutively on BBC One during prime-time, providing a delightful experience for viewers who appreciate the presenter’s unique sense of style.

Up until now, her attire has covered a wide range of styles, from a £749 coat from luxury brand Holland Cooper, previously worn by Princess Diana, to a pair of fingerless gloves made of red leather from Amazon. She has paired fair isle knits with checked trousers and Wellington boots, often opting for the traditional brand Hunter, resembling a well-dressed character from “The Wind in the Willows.” (I assume Winkleman is not bothered by this comparison, as she has previously described her style in season one of “Traitors” as a mix of “Princess Anne, Ronnie Corbett, and Madonna when she was married to Guy Ritchie.” She and her co-stylist McKeefry understand the importance of incorporating diverse references). Her evening looks have a “rock and roll edge,” such as the combination of Dr. Martens with her signature leggings and Saint Laurent blazers, according to Holly Macnaghten, a celebrity stylist who has worked with actors like Regé-Jean Page from “Bridgerton” and Emma Appleton from “Everything I Know About Love.” “It’s these unconventional pairings that she and her stylist have perfected.”

One of the most discussed aspects of the show has been a particular outfit worn by Winkleman in episode two. The outfit consisted of a green mohair kilt from the Scottish brand Brora, which sparked my intense online search last week, paired with an oversized khaki cable knit sweater from the Japanese menswear label Kapital. According to Richards, Kapital has a more unusual approach compared to Winkleman’s usual attire on the show “Traitors”. The sweater also featured Kapital’s recognizable bright yellow smiley face logo on each elbow instead of a typical leather patch.

The first thing that stood out was the classic countryside chic of Claudia’s outfit, with a fresh and modern touch. According to Macnaghten, the looks this season perfectly capture the essence of the location and incorporate elements of Scottish heritage, but with a cool and contemporary twist rather than simply dressing up. Viewers were also enamored with the style, as evidenced by the significant increase in searches for Kapital on luxury fashion site Mr Porter since the episode aired on iPlayer on January 3rd. In fact, sales nearly doubled as well. While the khaki jumper worn by Winkleman on the show has sold out, it is still available in brown.

Winkleman’s style in the show “Traitors” is particularly appealing because, according to Macnaghten, it does not come across as a costume. Despite its Scottish influences, Winkleman’s personal style shines through and embraces the playful and camp vibes of the show. Parmar adds that the inclusion of elements like pussy bows and smiley faces show that Winkleman’s fashion is both stylish and fun. As a fashion icon who doesn’t take herself too seriously, it’s no surprise that we are completely devoted to Winkleman’s style.

Source: independent.co.uk