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Recreate Claudia Winkleman’s iconic Traitors wardrobe with our top pattern picks and handy fabric guides
Are you as excited about the return of BBC One’s Celebrity Traitors as we are? We’re guessing the answer’s yes and that, like us, the excitement is as much about seeing Claudia Winkleman’s fabulous outfits, as we’ve all fallen under the spell of her perfectly curated “castle-core” wardrobe.
Her country-manor-meets-dark-drama aesthetic, crafted by stylist Sinead McKeefry, is as integral to the show as the whispered alliances, secret turret meetings, and dramatic banishments. As sewists, we applaud how the hugely popular show has propelled Scottish heritage fabrics back into the spotlight. These fabrics bring timeless style, while proving they still have a place in a modern wardrobe.
From sweeping capes for dramatic entrances to striking blazers for serious business at banishments, Claudia’s wardrobe is full of standout moments. Here’s four of her wardrobe staples and tips on how to style your own versions without a prize pot budget.
1. The Velvet Blazer
When it comes to sharp tailoring with a dramatic twist, Claudia Winkleman’s velvet blazers are the ultimate power move on The Traitors. A firm fixture in her look, they strike the perfect balance between structure and softness. From the black Saint Laurent velvet blazer worn in series four, to the more affordable rich jewel-toned alternatives from Reiss, Claudia proves that velvet always brings a nod to luxury and drama. Whether worn to command a round table or bring a touch of luxury to our own wardrobes, they are a masterclass in statement dressing.
A tailored velvet blazer is by no means a quick project, but it’s one you’ll wear for years and is a rewarding way to build your tailoring skills. For a single-breasted version, Closet Core’s Jasika Blazer is a classic, semi-fitted tailored jacket. Fully lined, it features a notched collar, single-button closure, back vent, welt pockets and two-piece sleeves, with optional details including pocket flaps, cuff buttons, and elbow patches. Those elbow patches would be a great addition to a tweed version to recreate another Claudia classic! If you’d prefer a double- breasted option, we can also picture Claudia in a Vogue 1927.
Sewing with Velvet
Velvet’s soft pile gives it a luxurious look, but it also makes it more likely to shift or mark. With a little extra care and a few simple techniques there’s nothing to fear.
• Buy 0.5–1 metre extra fabric so you can cut every piece with the nap running in the same direction.
• Use a walking foot or even-feed foot if you have one.
• Select a small zig-zag stitch (eg. 0.75mm width, 2.5mm length).
• Avoid unpicking stitches where possible, as needle marks will show.
• Press from the wrong side on a thick towel or needle board to avoid crushing the pile.
• Tack key seams before machine sewing for the most accurate results.
2. The Pussy Bow Blouse
Claudia’s pussy bow blouses are a key part of her signature look. Paired with blazers, knit vests, tailored trousers, and chunky boots for a mix of luxe staples and country chic, the blouses often have dramatic details like ruffles or pearl embellishments to provide a touch of vintage elegance. Viewers fell hard for the soft powder pink LK Bennet pussy bow blouse in the opening episode of series four, which brought a contrasting fluidity to her velvet plum Reiss blazer.
Staying faithful to this style in this series, Claudia met the players at breakfast in episode three in a burgundy and orange printed blouse from Zara, and led the round table in episode five in a purple silk blouse from Holland Cooper. When teamed with leggings and chunky boots, the pussy bow loses any connotations of prim and proper that we might otherwise associate it with. Sew your own classic vintage inspired version with the Pussy Bow Blouse from Sew Over It, or our very own Bea Blouse sewing pattern, available to download in sizes 6-20 at gatheredshop.com. If you’re looking for more drama, Fibre Mood’s Electra Dress pattern, with its giant statement bow and the low-set sleeves with fitted cuffs that Claudia favours, can be shortened to make a dramatic blouse worthy of any banishment scene.
3. Tartan trousers & skirts
Claudia Winkleman has proven that tartan isn’t just a heritage fabric but rather a full-blown style statement. Whether she’s wrapped in a sharply tailored pair of high-waisted tartan trousers or swishing across the screen in a pleated skirt that nods to classic Highland dress, her wardrobe choices celebrate the textile’s rich history while keeping things unmistakably modern.
Want to make your own Traitors-inspired outfit? Make this FREE self-draft maxi skirt in a lush tartan fabric for your very own take on turret style!
With design house Alexander McQueen’s iconic use of tartan, due in part to the founder’s Scottish ancestry, it was no surprise to see Claudia in Alexander McQueen red cigarette cut trousers to set a mission. Sew your own more budget friendly pair with Named Clothing’s pattern, the Tyni Cigarette Trousers or the Attitude Trousers from Atelier Scammit.
She’s also worn British brand Burberry’s checks in the form of both narrow trousers and ‘kilt skirts’. Although traditional kilts can be traced back to the 16th century, a “kilt skirt” is a modern fashion invention, used to describe a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic garment. It draws on the original kilt’s signature pleats, hardware, and heritage-inspired look, but is distinguished by its circular cut and fully closed fastening. They’ve featured heavily in Claudia’s Traitor’s wardrobe, including two from Brora and Le Kilt. Let them inspire you to sew a pleated skirt such as McCalls 7022 (view B) or New Look 6755. For a more dramatic look, try The Fausta Skirt from Fibre Mood.
Tartan tips
Matching tartan takes a little planning, but it’s well worth the effort. By choosing the right pattern, planning your layout and focusing on key seamlines, you can achieve a professional-looking finish.
• Choose simple patterns with fewer seams to reduce pattern matching.
• Avoid patterns labelled “not suitable for plaids and stripes”.
• Steer clear of princess seams and horizontal darts where possible.
• Consider designs that showcase the tartan, such as bias-cut panels or centre seams that create a chevron effect.
• Focus on matching key areas like centre seams, sleeve notches, and horizontal stripes at side seams – don’t try to match every seam.
• Use bias-cut pieces on sleeves or side panels to avoid difficult matching and add visual interest.
4. Tweed coats & waistcoats
From oversized herringbone coats to fitted waistcoats layered over the afore-mentioned pussy bow blouse, these structured pieces strike the perfect balance between traditional country clothing and contemporary tailoring.
A chic mixture of earthy tones echoes the stunning Highland’s landscape, and wool is
just what’s needed to stay warm and stylish during the challenges. Staying ever-faithful
to British brands, Claudia wore a smart Cordings of Piccadilly tweed tailored waistcoat in series three, and saved her full-length Bella Freud grey micro-tweed coat for the final.
The green Harris Tweed green coat she wore in series four is from British brand Brora, whose Fair Isle knits she regularly wears in the show.
To sew your own striking full-length tweed coat, the ME2103 Coat sewing pattern from Know Me would be a challenging but rewarding make. Or for a more relaxed structure, opt for a single-breasted version such as the Fibre Mood Dila Coat. Don some big boots and a tulle skirt and you’re ready to take on Claudia in the style stakes. For a fitted waistcoat like Claudia’s, we think the Bella Loves Patterns Bennie Vest or the Puff & Pencil Waistcoat Vest would both be great options
for the office or round table alike.
Featured in issue 152 ofSimply Sewing, The Harper Top (below) is a versatile waistcoat that’s perfect for any wardrobe. Get your hands on a physical copy of the magazine from the Our Media Shop or purchase a digital copy from the Gathered Shop.
Image credits: BC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem, BBC/Studio Lambert/ Euan Cherry, BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge,
