Like everyone else, I’m currently glued to series 3 of The Traitors from Wednesday to Friday. In between, I spend my time Googling fan theories about which contestants are secretly related/dating/estranged, deciding which of my colleagues would make the best Traitor, and sending endless Linda memes to my mum (she doesn’t reply).
I’m as obsessed with Claudia’s wardrobe as I am those table-pounding, chair-toppling roundtable reveals. So, when I realised I was inadvertently wearing plaid for the third day in a row, I decided to go the whole Highlands fling and see if my favourite Traitors-core looks could be transplanted from the Scottish moors to the Monday morning meeting.
Does a wardrobe inspired by Princess Anne, Ronnie Corbett and classical singer Sarah Brightman (coincidentally, also my favourite style trio) make any sense in an office environment? Or, indeed, any sense at all? I slipped into some Spanx to find out.
Look 1: Machiavellian librarian Claudia
The show's wardrobe budget seems to have spiralled this year, with Claudia casually popping down to the breakfast in episode three wearing a £1,000 pair of Miu Miu x Church's brogues, a £650 pair of tartan trousers and a £1,500 cashmere knit from luxury British brand, Connolly.
Apparently, I'm not allowed to spend the entire GH editorial budget on my ‘obsession with capes and fingerless gloves’, so I donned my plaid skirt and loafers from Sézane instead, pairing them with a cosy, bum-skimming grey knit from Hush and adding some (old Jigsaw) silver boots for outside – my Central London version of Hunter wellies. This all combined to create a comfy, office-appropriate look.
Sezane Martin Crop Trousers
Sezane Jessie Loafers
It was a great start. Worn with lashings of eyeliner and a cheeky glint, it's giving lady-of-the-manor-run-mad. In a good way. I love the clash of traditional tartan with the modern, unisex slouchy knit.
I spend the day doing slow laps around the boardroom table and eyeing my colleagues suspiciously. 10/10 would recommend.
Look 2: Classic Claudia
Tweed. Knit. A skinny trouser. It's the holy trinity of Traitors-core. It's also easy to recreate – start with some leggings (I wore Claud's favourite Spanx) and chunky boots, then layer up with statement knits, blazers, overcoats and accessories. Sadly, I can't afford the actual blazer from Bella Freud because I have to pay my mortgage, so I wear an old, double-breasted jacket from French brand, Maje, instead.
I start my day with a Teams call and take the opportunity to study myself on the screen – the polo neck/blazer combo is making me look a bit Bond villain. Which is fine when you're rattling around a Scottish castle inciting murder and banishment, but feels a little sinister for the weekly performance update.
COS Merino Wool Turtleneck Top
Hush Western Leather Chelsea Boots
That said, I'm reminded that a great, tailored blazer is an effortless way to add instant structure and style to your basics. In reality, though, I'd swap the leggings for some dressy track pants and the boots for trainers. Just add fingerless gloves.
Look 3: Full yeti
Claudia promised a yeti moment this series and she didn't disappoint. Having sourced a pair of long, furry yeti boots on Amazon (available next day for all your yeti emergencies), I couldn't wait to wear this look. The freezing cold January weather definitely helped.
Sadly, my request to have two men carry me around the office for the day fell on deaf ears, so I was forced to travel under my own steam. Did I love this look? Absolutely. I've finally found a way to wear my dressing gown and slippers in the office without someone calling HR. I feel a bit like a Game of Thrones extra. In a great way.
Was it practical? Absolutely not. The coat weighed the same as a small toddler and, just in case you were wondering, the boots were definitely not waterproof. Now I know why you have to be carried...
Halfway through the day, I had to take the coat off to rest, and it's impossible to walk at speed in giant furry boots, which doesn't feel that practical for office wear. I make a note to up my protein intake.
Religion Long Hair Faux Fur Coat
Cheuling Women's Faux Fur Boots
Look 4: Glam goth
This outfit from episode eight is made for Scottish moors, moody skies and Gothic castles. Admittedly, the lace train was perhaps a little outré for my Wednesday morning 1-2-1, but I do love the drama. This was, in fact, my favourite outfit of the whole experiment, bringing a dose of glamour to the work week. It's the desk-to-drinks combination I've been looking for all my work life.
Claudia's cashmere jumper is from Brora and still available, but it's a serious investment even in the sale. Mine's from Hush and slightly more affordable, while my 'skirt' is actually an old Very dress. With a lot more lace to play with, Claudia's designer version is from Costarellos, a label known for its romantic, flowing fabrics.
If you want to dress this look down a little, I'd consider a slinky midi skirt with your cashmere polo neck and chunky boots.
Other Stories Cashmere-Blend Fingerless Gloves
Next Black Mesh Tulle Midi Skirt
Look 5: Casual goth
After the previous two days, it was a bit of a relief to get back into skinny jeans (not something I ever thought I'd say). And this final look featured my favourite individual piece from the whole series so far: the bone jumper by Kapital. Okay, not the actual Fair Isle version, which was sold out before the episode aired and costs £455. Instead, I found a jersey option with the same skeleton design, which was only £240.
If you're wondering if I've lost touch with reality, let me remind you that I wore a yeti coat and furry boots to my place of work.
This jumper does all the heavy lifting for you. Pair with tailored grey trousers and loafers for a more dressed up office look or your cosy leggings, sports socks and Dr. Martens boots on more relaxed days.
Kapital Grandrelle Fleece Knit BIG Sweatshirt
Hush Chunky Leather Chelsea Boots
The verdict: Does The Traitors look translate to the office?
I’ll admit, yeti boots in the rain was a low point but, otherwise, I'm a big fan of method dressing for the office. Channelling your favourite style icons when you're getting ready on a miserable January morning definitely makes things more fun, and I've rediscovered some pieces in my wardrobe that had gone out of regular rotation. It's like rifling through the dressing up box.
Overall, once again, Claudia – and shout out to her stylist Sinead McKeefry for making the outfits as much of a talking point as the roundtable showdowns – has proven that the combination of wearable and whimsical is the ultimate wardrobe hack. It's all about elevating those failsafe, everyday basics with your favourite feelgood buys, whether it's the emotional support knit, the fairytale skirt, the deliciously tailored blazer or, indeed, the so-cosy-I-want-to-marry-it yeti coat.
Same time next year?
