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The Traitors is back for its fourth civilian season – and, despite the general dreariness of January in the UK, all seems right with the world. The peacocks are strutting around the grounds, the traitors are plotting in their turret – and, perhaps most importantly of all, Claudia Winkleman is strutting around the castle serving some of the best looks on TV.
The show has become something of a phenomenon since its first season aired in 2021, and it's largely thanks to its winning formula: a good, old-fashioned murder mystery game set against the atmospheric backdrop of a castle in the Highlands, the show effortlessly mixes whodunnit thrills with delicate touches of high camp. It feels like watching a Shakespearean tragedy staged like a Christmas pantomime – and, wouldn't you know it, it's a winning combination.
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No phones? We'll pass, thanks
This little balancing act is something that Claudia Winkleman's stylist Sinead McKeefry understands implicitly. Over the past four seasons, Winkleman's larger-than-life looks have become one of the show's biggest draws. Her distinctive wardrobe on the show delivered a pitch perfect mix of posh Scottish lady of the manor with a high fashion, camp twist. Who could forget that OTT turtleneck that seemed to swallow Winkleman whole? Or those excellent draped pirate sleeves that dangled almost all the way to her knees?
This season, McKeefry's looks have been as iconic as ever. The look is all about thick textured materials – think velvet, wool, tweed, leather – mixed with warm, earthy tones – burgundies, chocolate browns – and styled in lots and lots of layers – you'll see plenty of tights, ruffled collars and bows.
And, of course, you'll also find plenty of bold, dramatic silhouettes – think capes, XXL collars, giant sleeves and so on. The overall effect is a sort of dreamlike, otherworldly image of Scotland on fashion steroids.
We spoke to McKeefry about how she sources her fantastic pieces and how viewers can achieve the look for themselves.
“I source inspiration for Claudia’s looks from old magazines editorials from magazines like The Face and i-D and I also have images of collections I have loved over the years from people like McQueen and Comme Des Garcons, and then also more heritage brands such as Purdey,” she says.
She is a big fan of shopping from Scottish brands, too. “I also love to use loads of Aron which is a traditional Scottish style of knit. [I source from] Scottish brands like Brora and Johnstons of Elgin,” she says. "I like looking at really traditional heritage brands that are classics over the years and also newer brands and independents.”
Although many of Winkleman's looks are on the pricier end, McKeefry says that viewers can emulate her style on a budget, too. “I would look in vintage shops there are loads of those types of coats that you can buy that are a much more affordable price,” she recommends. “Also, everywhere is doing great woollen clothes. There's loads of tartan out there and loads of Fair Isle – it's kind of like the highs street has gone full Traitors, so you will be looking in Zara and be able to find it all.”
Another trick: shop in the men's section. “The men’s brogues section in M&S I use a lot as they start at size 6 and they are really great quality,” she says. “For men’s jumpers, Uniqlo are amazing – they have Merino wool and cashmere. I also shop at Cos for knitwear and I would also go to Zara for really good military coats and big lovely luxurious woollen coats.”
Expect the unexpected this season, including a war between Traitors.
Here's where to shop each of Claudia's looks so far.
Season 4, Episode 1
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The season kicked off with Winkleman rocking an outdoorsy look. McKeefry paired a utilitarian plaid shirt with a boxy Saint Laurent peacoat and classic Doc Martens.
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Later in the episode, Winkleman was styled in a mix of velvet and wool, with a little feminine touch. She paired a deep purple velvet blazer from Jigsaw with a retro pale pink blouse from LK Bennett. Winkleman also sported her black fingerless Brora gloves, which appear a few times this season.
Season 4, Episode 2
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This is one of McKeefry's favourite looks of the series so far, which saw Winkleman wearing a midi kilt paired with a knit vest over a black turtleneck.
“I absolutely champion a label called Le Kilt,” McKeefry tells us. “They really are my favourite Kilts. They make quite traditional kilts, but with the beautiful detail. Then they also do a kind of punk take on the kilt, which is where they use a mohair brushed and mini kilt and when we are doing anything we want to look a bit goth or punky they are my absolute go-to and I have such a good response when I use those pieces.”
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Another frilly collar – this one, on a white blouse from Comme Des Garcons, sourced at Dover Street Market. McKeefry paired it with a black Saint Laurent blazer and chunky Bottega boots.
Season 4, Episode 3
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A classic Traitors look, this one is all about warm tones and texture. McKeefry paired a knit vest from Le Kilt with pale tan leather knee-high boots from Paris Texas. She added some playful feminine touches with mismatched patterned culottes and a blouse from Zara.
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This long Brora coat is the star of the show. McKeefry paired it with the classic Brora wrist warmers and shoes from English heritage brand Grenson.
Season 4, Episode 4
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A bold silhouette in the form of a grey wool suit from Essential Antwerp, paired with McQueen boots.
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Talk about playing with textures. McKeefry paired a cosy olive green knit jumper from Hambro and Miller with dark green Hunter wellies and an unexpected flowy off-white boho skirt for an ethereal-meets-Highland utilitarian look.
Season 4, Episode 5
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This look is another of McKeefry's favourites. “I love the breakfast look, which was the plaid shirt with Mia Mia boots – I loved how cool and casual that was,” she says.
Winkleman added a dramatic shearling and suede coat from Connolly for the mission.
“Then we went into the big dramatic moment of the coat, which was from Connolly," she says. "I loved seeing that in the mission and I loved seeing when it got drenched and Claudia’s hair got drenched and I thought that was the perfect way it should look. Everyone kept messaging me saying oh no the coat is wet but I actually thought it was fantastic and perfect for the scene as it made it even more dramatic so that was my favourite look of the season so far.”
Season 4, Episode 6
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In episode 6, Winkleman embraced a deep burgundy hue with Cos' striped mohair jumper, which she paired with black tuxedo-style trousers. The real star of the show, however, was her pair of customised Duke + Dexter penny loafers, with the words “Faithful” and “Traitor” printed on each foot. Chef's kiss.
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Winkleman donned a checked Burberry bomber jacket for the mission and kept warm with a pair of cosy black cashmere wrist warmers from Scottish brand Johnstons of Elgin.
Season 4, episode 7
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Burberry head-to-toe. A hooded cream coat, a playful duck jumper, and mismatched plaid trousers.
Season 4, episode 8
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