Claudia Winkleman’s Best Knitwear Moments In The Traitors
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4 hours ago
Inside the host's artfully woven wardrobe
While The Traitors might be winding down for another year, there’s still plenty of inspiration to take from series 3 – especially when it comes to the fashion. Claudia Winkleman has solidified her role as British TV’s country style queen, thanks to a wardrobe filled with sleek tailored pieces, weather-ready wellington boots and a coveted collection of knitwear staples. But which looks stole the show? These were our favourite knitwear moments from The Traitors this year.
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Which Knitwear Brands Did Claudia Winkleman Wear In The Traitors?
According to the TV host’s stylist, Sinead McKeefry, the basis for Winkleman’s Traitors wardrobe are British and Irish brands. ‘Purdey, Brora, Barbour, Dubarry of Ireland, Johnstons of Elgin – you know, all the heritage brands,’ she told C&TH ahead of series 3. ‘And Claudia really naturally makes the clothes look quite cool. So, sometimes I can afford to put her in things that are a bit more traditional. She carries it. She makes it work.’
Alongside these homegrown staples, you’ll also find global-facing designer pieces – like the standout Kapital jumper from series 2. These ‘twists’, as McKeefry calls them, help keep the TV host looking fresh out in the highlands.
We’ve made a list of the all knitwear brands we’ve seen Claudia Winkleman wear so far in all three series of The Traitors below:
- Albaray
- Barrie
- Brora
- Connolly
- Emilia Wickstead
- Johnstons of Elgin
- KAPITAL
- Mr Mittens
- Purdey
- Rose & Wul
- The Row
- Self-Portrait
Where Does She Get Her Wrist Warmers From?
McKeefry also revealed that she sources Claudia Winkleman’s signature fingerless gloves and wrist warmers from two specific British knitwear brands: Johnstons of Elgin and Purdey.
‘Johnstons of Elgin just really fits in well with the visual story and theme we had in mind; it’s a really luxe Scottish brand,’ the stylist said. ‘Claudia and I go to sample sales there when we can – you’ll catch everyone elbowing each other out of the way to get those fingerless gloves.
‘And then Brora I just love, because it is such a good brand. Sometimes it’s the missing piece in an outfit, and sometimes it’s the starting point. It’s just so classical, not always in its colourways, but in its patterning. I just love their knitwear.’
These brands, McKeefry told us, also tend to share the same woollen mills up in Scotland. It’s this detail that ensures the fine quality of all of Winkleman’s knit-based looks. ‘A lot of brands use those mills,’ she says. ‘So you’ll have the same people working for Johnson’s that you have working for Brora that you have working for Burberry. All in the same place.’
Our Favourite Moments From The Traitors Series 3
The Kapital Skeleton Jumper
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What would a series of The Traitors be without one of Kapital’s quirky knits? Making its debut early this year, the piece in question was grey-hued Fair Isle jumper with skeleton detailing on the arms and back. The exact knit has been sold out for a while (as well as its sister jumper, which came in a soft caramel), but you can still find similar versions in block colours with the same skeleton illustrations.
The Grey Connolly Knit
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One brand that’s had a huge run in Winkleman’s series 3 wardrobe is Connolly, a heritage British brand that dates all the way back to 1878. Starting out as a family business of saddlers and shoe-smiths, before becoming a renowned leather maker, the brand now serves up contemporary fashion staples – including some rather luxurious knitwear. The oversized grey sweater the TV host wore to one of the first missions is our top staple.
The Rosie Barrie Jumper
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
Winkleman and McKeefry really took the time this season to showcase some really fun knitwear styles. Next up: luxury cashmere specialist, Barrie. The house is one of the oldest cashmere knitwear manufacturers in Scotland, and is highly sought-after by world-renowned brands, having joined the prestigious circle of the Chanel Métiers d’Art houses in 2012. The brand’s own label didn’t arrive on the scene until 2014 – but, as they say, better late than never (especially if the results look like this).
The Purdey Sweater Vest
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
When C&TH spoke to McKeefry, we found out that the stylist was an avid Purdey fan. ‘We always back to Purdey recently… I just love [the brand],’ she said. The brand has popped up multiple times throughout The Traitors‘ run on-screen, but our most recent standout was a rich olive knitted tank, which featured an all-over textured cable and dot pattern. Perfect for layering over a (Purdy) blouse and (Purdey) trousers.
The Self-Portrait Cardigan
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
Since its founding in 2013, London-based brand Self-Portrait has become a favourite amongst celebrities, royals (Kate Middleton often attends events in an SP dress) and stylists alike. So we weren’t too surprised to see the brand make an appearance on The Traitors this time round. The (now sold-out) cardigan that Winkleman wears to the episode 6 round table was perfectly in-keeping with the host’s moody evening looks, balancing gothic glam with knitted comforts.
The Fair Isle Brora Knit
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
An early contender for the standout piece of series 3 comes from Scottish luxury fashion brand, Brora. The brand is well-known for its knitted creations, infusing traditional styles with bright pops of colour and playful finishes – and it definitely didn’t disappoint on The Traitors. The look was made all the better by the styling: a monochromatic Fair Isle knit, woven with notes of grey, white and ice blue, teamed up with a long black kilt and chunky boots.
The Emilia Wickstead Co-Ord
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
And then we had a surprise set from London Fashion Week regular, Emilia Wickstead. Wickstead, a New Zealand fashion designer based in London, is probably best known for her sophisticated and feminine gowns – but she also knows her way around a co-ord. The set chosen by McKeefry for The Traitors consisted of a knitted top and trousers, featuring a classic grey and blue jacquard pattern.
The Brora Wrist Warmers
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
How could we forget the wrist warmers? Another Traitors staple for Winkleman, we’ve seen plenty of pairs pop up this series (including a Johnstons of Elgin pair, further below). But one style we loved this series comes from Brora. Pinched from the brand’s menswear section, the olive hue blended seamlessly with the TV host’s episode 9 mission outfit: a check shacket, grey coat, black leggings and brown wellington boots. Aka, all the neutrals.
The Johnstons of Elgin Beanie & Gloves
(c) BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
A double-bill of wrist warmers, the next pair we saw onscreen came from Johnstons of Elgin. The brand is yet another favourite of McKeefry’s, and another label marked by its rich Scottish heritage. In this episode, the stylist teamed up the usual gloves with a more modern Johnstons of Elgin accessory: a cashmere beanie hat.
Featured image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
