The dramatic twists and turns of BBC One's smash-hit series The Traitors aren't the only thing keeping viewers hooked. Claudia Winkleman's distinctive tweed capes, fingerless gloves, chunky knits, and boots have become a style phenomenon almost as compelling as the game of deception itself. Behind this iconic look lies a colossal logistical operation that has grown exponentially since the show first aired.
From 12 Outfits to a 36-Look Wardrobe
When Claudia Winkleman first presented The Traitors in 2021, her wardrobe requirements were relatively modest, needing just 12 outfits—one for each episode. Fast forward to the present day, and the scale has changed dramatically. For the current, hugely popular fourth series, which has attracted a peak of 6.9 million viewers, Winkleman now requires a staggering 36 separate outfits.
According to her long-time stylist, Sinead McKeefry, who has worked with the 53-year-old presenter for two decades, preparing this expansive wardrobe is a major undertaking. "We lock everything down in London. It's like prepping for a catwalk show and moving everything from one location to another," McKeefry told the Radio Times. The entire process, which includes backup options and wet-weather gear for the unpredictable Scottish climate, takes a full three months to prepare.
A Logistical Challenge: From London to the Scottish Highlands
The meticulous planning doesn't end in the styling studio. Once each ensemble is finalised, the entire collection is carefully transported north. The outfits are laid flat in the back of a van for the journey to the show's remote filming location in Scotland. This attention to detail ensures Winkleman's looks remain pristine for the high-stakes rounds and dramatic firepit ceremonies.
McKeefry contrasted Winkleman's Traitors style with her looks for other presenting roles. While Strictly Come Dancing was "the most glamorous" and kept "quite chic and pared back," and The Piano reflects her natural, polished off-duty style (think Uniqlo jumpers), The Traitors offers a unique creative outlet. "With The Traitors, we can be a lot more editorial, edgy and creative," the stylist explained.
Fingerless Gloves and Resisting 'Cringe' Red
The show's distinctive aesthetic, however, wasn't fully formed from the start. McKeefry admitted that during the first series, "We didn't really know what we were doing." There were even early suggestions that Winkleman might wear a parrot on her shoulder, an idea the stylist resisted to avoid a pantomime feel.
Instead, the look evolved to incorporate Winkleman's own favourite accessories, like the now-signature fingerless gloves and wrist warmers. "Claudia's always worn wrist warmers," McKeefry said, noting the presenter once gifted them to her team. While she was happy to include fingerless gloves, she initially pushed back against production's request for dramatic red 'murder gloves'. "Red against black is so cringe," she recalled. A compromise was found via Amazon, selecting thinner, less offensive fingerless red options.
As The Traitors continues to dominate ratings, with 22 contestants in the latest series vying for a potential £120,000 prize, Claudia Winkleman's meticulously crafted, weather-ready wardrobe has solidified its status as an integral and beloved part of the show's dark, atmospheric appeal.
