Haute Highlands: Why The Traitors is this season’s most stylish TV show (and how to get the look)
Take your winter style inspiration from everyone’s favourite guilty pleasure
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Reality thriller and TV sensation The Traitors returns to screens this Wednesday (8 October), and this time it’s an all-star celebrity cast being put to the test. But it’s not just the lineup of the gripping BBC series that we’re excited about (although our money is on Stephen Fry’s poker face taking it all the way). It’s also the outfits donned by Claudia Winkleman. Host, icon and possibly the only woman who can make fingerless gloves cool again, Winkleman’s Traitors wardrobe has become a cult obsession, and we can’t wait to see what the new season has in store.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, just north of Inverness, with moody skies, rolling hills, steely lochs, and that 19th-century turretted castle, the show’s aesthetic is mysterious, grand and gothic. No surprise, then, that Winkleman’s style takes cues from its surroundings. Styled by Sinead McKeefy (also behind her Strictly ‘fits), the look is a mix of Highlands chic and gothic glamour. Every outfit is powerful, striking, memorable — and worthy of stealing the spotlight from the Traitors' velvet capes.
Across previous seasons, we’ve seen longline coats take centre stage alongside chunky knitwear and Spanx leggings (yes, you read that right). Polished off with stompy boots, those famous fingerless gloves, and plenty of tartan and tweed, it’s a quintessentially British countryside style elevated with a sense of campy drama. British and Irish brands have featured heavily in Winkleman’s wardrobe, with top picks including Holland Cooper, Brora, Barbour, Dubarry of Ireland and Johnstons of Elgin. And we expect nothing less from this season.
Want a Traitors-inspired winter wardrobe? Whether heading to the rugged landscape of the Highlands yourself or staying put in wintry London, shop our edit below to look the part.
Knitwear
Knitwear dominates Winkleman’s wardrobe throughout the series, from Fair Isle numbers to chunky cable knits and cosy cashmere jumpers. Oversized and dramatic, she typically wears them over Spanx leggings or slim tailored trousers, accompanied by a large coat or cape. Warm and functional with a countryside edge, favourites include Brora’s alpaca-merino blend monochrome Fair Isle jumper and an earthy brown cashmere number with red rose motifs from Barrie (one of Scotland’s oldest cashmere brands).
Outerwear
Coats, capes and blazers are all key components to Winkleman’s Traitors wardrobe, perhaps due to the colder climes up north, perhaps to bring volume, drama and power to her outfits (probably both). Coat-wise, the silhouettes are long and rendered in dark shades and Scottish tartans and tweeds. Capes are typically in gothic tones and extra large for a mysterious, glamorous, slightly witchy edge, while blazers embrace a more masculine style in velvets, cords and floral prints for a sophisticated touch.
Again, Holland Cooper features heavily, providing longline cover-up styles, while Luxury Family Affair’s woollen cape and Saint Laurent statement velvet tuxedo jacket also fit the bill nicely. Whichever appeals to you, go big, bold and daring for cool wintry looks with edgy flair.
Leggings and trousers
Winkleman subscribes to the ‘big on top, small on bottom’ dressing ethos when it comes to her Traitors wardrobe. Balancing dramatic coats and knits with sleek underlayers, she proves leggings are not just for lounging about in and, in fact, offer a simple but sharp, figure-hugging contrast to oversized outerwear. If leggings don’t appeal, skinny jeans do just as well. In fact, we’ve seen her don Holland Cooper’s hunter green sculpting biker jeans several times.
If you prefer something a little more formal, why not opt for a pair of tailored trousers or a skirt instead? Of course, trousers should be tartan or tweed (like Winkleman’s Connolly tartan trews) and skirts (kilts), obviously woollen and pleated (take notes of Le Kilt’s collection). Pair Scottish-inspired pieces with dark jumpers and chunky boots for elevated country grunge style.
Boots
Set in the hilly, chilly Highlands, sturdy boots were an obvious choice for shooting the series. When it comes to recreating the look yourself, the chunkier and grungier the better. Think solid heels, platform silhouettes and durable leather. Black and dark browns are the best shades to replicate her look and will go with most Traitors-inspired ensembles. For an exact copy, try Bottega Veneta’s lug leather ankle boots or Church’s Chelsea boots. Dr Martens should also be considered for reliable punk-inflected boots that are practical and fur-lined for bonus warmth.
Accessories
What would The Traitors be without those fingerless gloves and wrist warmers? Winkleman is often seen sporting options including her famed red leather favourites to a pair of cashmere ones from Brora. Becoming part of her signature Traitors look, take a leaf out of Winkleman’s book with accessories that finesse every part of your look.
Read more: Sweater weather: The best women's jumpers for autumn 2025
