Forget guessing the identity of the secret traitor or dissecting the Machiavellian tactics. Everyone knows that the best part of watching The Traitors is enjoying Claudia Winkleman’s consistently on-point wardrobe.
Series four has already brought a sartorial feast to the nation’s screens, once again nodding to the show’s Scottish setting and macabre themes. Statement knits, covetable coats, more than a few fingerless gloves: many hallmarks of the host’s distinctive ‘Highland Goth’ aesthetic, shaped with her longtime stylist Sinead McKeefry, remain.
But the latest series also marks a subtle shift in Winkleman’s style.
“For the celebrity series, I wanted there to be an obvious difference between Claudia and the celebrities, so we went slightly more Gothic, punk, fantasy, with bits of Simone Rocha and that kind of thing,” says McKeefry.
“I wanted to keep an element of that for this series because I think that’s really core in Claudia’s personality. It’s her natural go-to. But I also wanted to keep it relevant for this time of year, so I’ve brought a lot of the knitwear back in. We’ve softened it slightly from the kind of Victoriana of series one but we still have that dramatic element.”
An outfit from the first episode is a case in point. Winkleman stepped out in a pink pussybow blouse from LK Bennett (still available to buy in every size, FYI), layered under a deep plum velvet blazer from Reiss. Throw in a pair of black Brora wristwarmers and it’s a look that slots seamlessly into the Traitors archives, while injecting a little fresh 2026 spirit.
Many of the elements that have made Traitors style so influential persist. There’s the high-low mix of brands — Bottega Venetta lug-sole boots and Saint Laurent peacoats appear alongside high street finds — the emphasis on independent British labels, and the endless cold-weather dressing inspiration.
Speaking of which, The Traitors style playbook is exactly the right one to plunder at this time of year. To assist, here’s a guide to getting the look this season, from Claudia’s exact pieces to Highlands-inspired purchases.
The tie-neck blouse
The Bella Freud-esque tie-neck blouse is a Winkleman stalwart. But the new Traitors mood shows how a statement piece can uplift a neutral-dominated wardrobe. Try a little winter pink or opt for failsafe stripes.
LK Bennett blouse, £179, lkbennett.com
Me + Em shirt and tie, £150, meandem.com
The knitted tank
This look from episode three might just be the ultimate January ensemble. A Cos merino wool rollneck, a tartan skirt by Le Kilt, boots by the row and the perfect Fair Isle tank from Hambro and Miller (a UK brand McKeefry says she discovered last year). The latter is unsurprisingly in high demand, and will take around eight weeks to arrive if you order it now. An alternative can be found at Brora.
Hambro and Miller vest, £385, hambroandmiller.co.uk
Brora tank, £145, broraonline.com
The neutral kilt
Traitors style is surely responsible for the fact that you can now buy a chic kilt in almost any shop on the British high street. McKeefry and Winkleman remain faithful to cult Scottish brand Le Kilt, but there are also budget-friendly options at Massimo Dutti. Those seeking a new workwear staple should look no further.
Le Kilt skirt, £650, lekilt.co.uk
Massimo Dutti kilt, £119, massimodutti.com
The layering roll-neck
It’s near-impossible to find Winkleman’s favoured Cos merino wool high-neck top in stock (although it is currently up for grabs in dark brown). Mercifully, there are plenty of others out there, including a slightly thicker iteration at Aligne.
Cos high-neck top, £45, cos.com
Aligne roll-neck, £99, aligne.co
The oversized coat
You can still get your hands on the chocolate brown wool Brora coat Claudia wore in episode three. If the budget is tighter, Zara has a great option for less. Both create a chic oversized silhouette.
Brora merino wool coat, £595, broraonline.com
Zara coat, £69.99, zara.com
The statement set
Another winning look from episode three came in the form of patterned culottes and a coordinating blouse, which brought some Seventies flair to the Traitors castle. The Zara set is now sold out, but you can strike the same tone via Sezane or Reformation (add a neutral knitted vest to tone things down a little).
Reformation silk set, £328, thereformation.com
Sezane blouse, £135, sezane.com
Le Kilt tank, £250, lekilt.co.uk
The pie-crust collar shirt
Claudia’s Comme Des Garçons shirt proved just how great a pie-crust collar can look poking out of a sleek black blazer. But don’t worry if the budget won’t stretch. “It’s not about having the exact thing. It's more about the drama of it,” says McKeefry. “If my budget were lower, I’d be looking at Sister Jane and brands like that.”
Comme Des Garçons shirt, £592, farfetch.com
Sister Jane blouse, £115, sisterjane.com
The fingerless gloves
Aside from their Traitors appeal, fingerless gloves are a great buy at this time of year for both warmth and convenience. Splash out on Claudia’s Brora version, or punt for a cheaper cashmere option at Kiltane.
Brora cashmere wristwarmers, £65, broraonline.com
Kiltane cashmere gloves, £35, kiltane.com
