The Celebrity Traitors: Why Claudia’s Wardrobe Works for Men

The Celebrity Traitors series two is underway, bringing Maya Jama, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Joe Lycett into the game — and giving Claudia Winkleman another opportunity to make the host’s wardrobe a talking point. The early episodes feature plum knitwear, a black wool bomber and substantial ankle boots: clothes with plenty to offer beyond the programme’s theatrical setting.

For men watching with half an eye on their autumn wardrobe, the interesting development is how readily some of these outfits translate. Working with stylist Sinead McKeefry, Winkleman is putting familiar menswear ingredients into less predictable combinations. Our pick isn’t the most extravagant piece. It’s a knitted vest over a white shirt: straightforward, adaptable and a welcome alternative to another anonymous sweatshirt.

What happened

Episode two provides the clearest starting point. In the breakfast room, Winkleman wears Genevieve Sweeney’s plum Soar merino knitted vest over a white lace-placket shirt from Purdey. Black Nili Lotan Lorimer cotton trousers and Bottega Veneta lug-soled ankle boots complete the main outfit, with a Simone Rocha pearl accessory worn as a trouser chain.

What makes that combination useful is its balance. The dark trousers and boots provide a restrained foundation; the plum knit supplies colour without taking over. A white shirt breaks up the darker pieces and gives the neckline definition. You could remove the lace and pearls and still have an outfit with considerably more character than a plain jumper and jeans.

Our version would keep the sleeveless knit, use a simple cotton shirt and choose straight-leg trousers. That is an adaptation, not a claim that these are the exact garments on screen. The distinction matters: borrowing a styling idea should leave room for your own proportions, budget and tolerance for decorative cuffs.

Episode three offers a different route. Winkleman pairs an Alexander McQueen tartan mini skirt with Paul Smith’s black hopsack wool bomber and the Bottega boots. For a conventional menswear interpretation, keep the short wool jacket and put the check into trousers or a scarf. We would choose one patterned element, rather than attempting to reproduce every detail.

This is a separate pleasure from trying to work out who can survive the game. Our earlier look at Myha’la’s Celebrity Traitors prospects tackles the contestant question; here, the useful evidence is in the clothes rather than anyone’s poker face.

The background

Winkleman’s wider Traitors wardrobe already draws from menswear directly, including blazers sourced from the men’s department. It also combines Alexander McQueen and Burberry with COS and Holland Cooper. That range is worth noting because the visual identity does not depend on a single designer dressing her from head to toe.

Knitwear provides another thread. Brora, Johnstons of Elgin and Hambro and Miller feature among the cashmere names in her wardrobe, while Mr Mittens and Genevieve Sweeney bring other distinctive knits into the mix. These are not interchangeable fabrics or constructions: the appeal lies partly in giving soft, textured clothing a prominent role alongside sharper outerwear.

That is also why dark outfits need not look flat. A smooth shirt, textured knit and leather boot can be close in colour yet remain visually distinct. If your wardrobe is mostly black, charcoal and navy, changing the surface of one piece can be more useful than introducing a colour you never feel comfortable wearing.

The recurring Bottega ankle boots have elasticated side panels, pull tabs and lug soles. Their substantial shape gives the outfits weight at ground level. When translating that effect, judge the boot against the trouser opening: a bulky sole beneath an extremely narrow hem can look disconnected, while a straighter leg gives it some breathing room.

There is a practical caveat. A heavy-looking boot is not automatically waterproof, and a wool jacket is not a substitute for a raincoat. For British autumn dressing, separate the appearance you like from the weather protection you actually need. Our guide to which autumn/winter 2026 menswear ideas are worth wearing takes that same wardrobe-first approach.