You asked for it, and I love doing it, so here we are for the third instalment of attempting to copy Claudia’s wardrobe from The Traitors. This year I’ve done it slightly differently, so instead of directly recreating the looks, I have focused on seven key pieces that you can easily incorporate into your own wardrobe. Chances are you have many of them already, so look at this as some more ideas on how to wear them. To be honest, I have also recreated a lot of the looks. I couldn’t help myself, it’s fun.
As ever we have to heap praise on Claudia’s stylist, Sinead McKeefry, who comes up with all the fantastic looks. If you want to know the exact items worn on the show then follow her on Instagram as she regularly shares that information.
But let’s dive straight in for our little ‘homage’.
THE LONG LONG COAT
There’s something about an oversized coat that really elevates an outfit. Perfect to wear over your long dresses and skirts but just as good worn over joggers and a hoodie. Also, you don’t have to be particularly tall to pull this look off; you might need slightly shorter coats, though. The trick is to find one that hits around your mid-shin area. They work best without drowning you.
- COS colour block layered wool jumper
- Brora cashmere Fair Isle scarf
- Hush Rose check double breasted wool blend coat
- Cider woven solid tulle layered maxi skirt
- Brora cashmere Fair Isle wrist warmers
- Kurt Geiger Mayfair buckle-embellished chunky leather ankle boots
THE OVERSIZED KNIT
For this one you can simply raid the wardrobe of a close man friend or relative, as most of Claudia’s oversized knits come from the menswear department. Perfect for wearing over leggings or slim-leg trousers. The only thing I find with the fit of men’s jumpers is that the arms tend to be much longer, but you can simply roll up the cuffs a bit.
If you want to wear leggings but are concerned about showing too much bum, someone told me about these things. They’re basically a little skirt that looks like the edge of a shirt that you can wear under your jumpers. I’m yet to try one but it’s a clever idea.
- Jamieson’s of Shetland Fair Isle Crew Knit
- Seasalt feather star cotton checked top
- H&M straight leg corduroy trousers
- Massimo Dutti cotton corduroy jacket
- Ralph Lauren lace-up ankle boots
THE BEST BLACK LEGGINGS
Claudia and Sinead know it. I know it. If you’ve been with me for a while you will also know it. That is that Spanx make the best black leggings around. I have had a pair of their ‘Look at Me Now’ leggings for about five years, I think, and they still look and feel as good as new. No sagging, no pilling, just a VERY good basic you can pull out year after year. I’ve not bought another pair since as I haven’t needed to.
- Treasure Bay double strand pearl necklace
- River Island chiffon lace oversized shirt
- Albaray Tuxedo double breasted jacket
- OPI Cajun Shrimp nail polish
- Spanx ‘Look At Me Now’ seam free leggings
- Dr Martens Flora smooth leather Chelsea boots
- ME + EM black pearl handle bag
THE WRISTWARMERS / FINGERLESS GLOVES
The easiest – and, in my opinion, most useful – item to get the look is a good pair of fingerless gloves or wrist warmers. I prefer these to full gloves as you don’t have to keep taking them off to do things. I often wear my wrist warmers all day, and you’d be surprised what a difference they make to your body heat. My favourites are from Brora for the mire traditional style or Black & Beech for a more left-field feminist feel. Obviously you’re not obliged to pair them with a cape, but I’ve found a few anyway.
- Massimo Dutti knit jacquard sweater
- Black dove grey plaited Italian cashmere beanie
- Mint Velvet navy wool blend cape
- Reiss navy slim fit trousers
- Brora cashmere fingerless gloves
- Hobbs Farrah leather lace-up boots
THE CHECKED TROUSERS
You don’t have to wear them with wellies and they don’t have to be slim leg, but check trousers have definitely been a key look this series. I prefer them to be of the wide-leg variety, so I’m using a bit of artistic licence here. Team with a chic pair of penny loafers and a cashmere knit for country-casual-meets-the-city vibes.
- Uniqlo soufflé yarn crew neck jumper
- Daisy London rope pearl huggie earrings
- Cefinn Bria cream silk shirt
- Cider mid rise wide leg check trousers
- COS Studio leather bowling bag
- H&M double-breasted coat
- Michael Kors Eden burnished leather loafers
THE CHECK BLAZER
If check trousers are a step too far then a check or herringbone blazer is a simpler option. The ideal ones are old men’s tweed blazers, so have a look in charity shops or on resale sites for an authentic country style. Although if your local charity shops are anything like mine, it’s mainly a sea of shit Primark. I have to venture to Chiswick or Richmond to find the good stuff. I used to find the best vintage clothes at jumble sales, but do they even happen anymore?
- COS chunky pure cashmere crew neck jumper
- Orco W pearl Camellia flower brooch
- & Other Stories belted wool blazer
- M&S cord high waisted leggings
- Dragon Diffusion large leather woven Nantucket tote bag
- COS leather riding boots
THE LOOSE FIT TROUSERS
Another take on masculine style, I’m loving the loose-fit trousers this series. A more attainable look to copy if you fear a legging. Everyone deserves a really good pair of tailored trousers in their wardrobe. On the high street, I think that COS, Arket and Theory do the best trousers.
- Jigsaw cotton motif intarsia jumper
- ME + EM fine babycord impossibly soft Forever Shirt
- COS relaxed twill wide leg trousers
- La Redoute oversized buttoned overcoat
- Grenson Caitlin rub off leather ladies brogues
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did putting these looks together. I’m also loving the new series of ‘The Traitors’, it never fails. I will be having a small break next weekend, blog will be back on Feb 2nd.
K x