Ever since first the word \u201ctraitor\u201d became significant in the collective consciousness, the undisputed style star synonymous with the show has been Claudia Winkleman<\/a>. But now that a cast of 19 celebrities has entered Ardross Castle in Scotland, our host\u2019s crown might well be stolen \u2013 or at least shared around.<\/p>\n Last night, the opening episode of Celebrity Traitors<\/a> brought a feast of new fashion codes to dissect. Among the sea of statement suits, virginal white dresses, bizarre \u201cI love me\u201d ensembles and more than a smattering of tartan, the key takeaway was this: first impressions matter. This is a game in which every move and comment is ripe for interpretation, but what is \u201csaid with the chest\u201d is just as significant.<\/p>\n The Traitors\u2019 host Claudia Winkleman has developed a distinctive \u2018Highland goth\u2019 aesthetic throughout series past – Cody Burridge<\/p>\n Winkleman, of course, needn\u2019t worry about making an impression. Together with longtime stylist Sinead McKeefry<\/a>, The Traitors\u2019 host has developed a distinctive \u201cHighland goth\u201d aesthetic<\/a> throughout series past, wrought in statement Brora knits, chic Le Kilt skirts, sharp Bella Freud tailoring and a never-ending array of wrist warmers. For many viewers, her ensembles have become just as engaging as the Machiavellian tactics on show.<\/p>\n Is she toning it down to make way for the big names in the castle this year? McKeefry has said that this time around, they will riff on the memorable \u201cfuneral look\u201d (a Saint Laurent velvet blazer and signature Spanx leggings) Winkleman wore in the last series. Executive producer of The Traitors Sarah Fay, meanwhile, has hinted that the contestants\u2019 outfits will shine. \u201cThe celebrities bring it with the fashion a bit this year,\u201d she told Mail Online. \u201cThey raised the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Contestants were tasked with digging through \u2018graves\u2019 to win a shield protecting them from elimination – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say Winkleman doesn\u2019t look as brilliant as ever, nor that interest in her will wane (Google searches are up 622 per cent in the last 24 hours). Last night, her Givenchy boots were a highlight, their triple buckle detail and bold fold-over silhouette appearing gloriously ill-suited to stomping around the Scottish Highlands.<\/p>\n The cashmere fingerless wristwarmers were back, as well as a statement cape that read \u201cCelebrities\u201d on the reverse in Bella Freud-esque font (though it\u2019s actually from Luxury Family Affair brand). But what messages were stitched into the celebrities\u2019 outfits?<\/p>\n Jonathan Ross styled a pink check blazer worn over a black turtleneck – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n A similarly bold \u2013 though rather more stylish \u2013 pink choice was Jonathan Ross<\/a>\u2019s check blazer, worn over a black turtleneck that felt equal parts Andy Warhol and Pierce Brosnan\u2019s Bond (fitting that Winkleman swiftly granted him a licence to kill). \u201cThe turtleneck grounds the look and communicates intellect, sophistication and introspection,\u201d Mair explains. \u201cHis overall appearance portrays his high self-esteem and social ease.\u201d<\/p>\n Charlotte Church exuded an air of pastoral innocence in a white dress with a ruched waist – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n Charlotte Church seemed to be exuding an air of pastoral innocence in a white dress with a ruched waist and broderie anglaise detailing. This proved to be a mistake when the contestants were tasked with digging through \u201cgraves\u201d on their hands and knees. It might have been effective in other ways, however. \u201cThe celestial motifs and gentle craftsmanship hint at intuition and individuality,\u201d says Mair. \u201cThis projects an image of someone who is both reflective and confident in their natural presence, elegant without artifice, expressive without excess.\u201d<\/p>\n Singer-songwriter Cat Burns opted to arrive in a quintessential Highlands print wearing a check bomber – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n Statement dressing might have been intended as a diversionary tactic, but fans of the programme will know that drawing too much attention to one\u2019s self early on never ends well. This was likely on the minds of those contestants who opted to arrive in a quintessential Highlands classic: tartan. There was 25-year-old singer-songwriter Cat Burns in a check bomber, actress Ruth Codd in a red blazer and, most stylishly of all, Kate Garraway in a teal and chocolate brown scarf coat. Commendable efforts to fit into their surroundings? Perhaps.<\/p>\n Stephen Fry sent a smart-casual message opting for a royal blue blazer worn over a yellow cardigan – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n Others turned to tailoring to send a smart-casual message, notably Tom Daley in chinos, a tie and a herringbone blazer (Winkleman also turned to the classic weave in a Chloe jacket during the episode). Stephen Fry struck a similar note in a royal blue blazer worn over a yellow cardigan. \u201cMuted tones and textured fabrics project quiet confidence,\u201d says Mair. \u201cBoth present a polished yet relaxed intellectual style.\u201d<\/p>\n Paloma Faith made a loud statement wearing an \u2018I love me\u2019 vest – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n The loudest statement of all came from Paloma Faith, whose matching \u201cI love me\u201d vest and baseball cap were impossible to miss. \u201cThis is a playful, self-referential statement piece,\u201d says fashion psychologist Dr Carolyn Mair. \u201cShe is aware of how she\u2019s perceived and enjoys subverting expectations. Pink symbolises warmth, charm, creativity and an affectionate nature, but here it\u2019s likely used with irony and humour, turning a colour often coded as \u2018sweet\u2019 into something bold and cheeky.\u201d Only time will tell whether this gamble pays off.<\/p>\n Alan Carr arrived in a chic tonal look comprising a russet shirt, check trousers and a fawn-toned double-breasted blazer – Euan Cherry<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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In the pink<\/h2>\n
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The Church of Charlotte<\/h2>\n
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Keep it in check<\/h2>\n
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Tailored to a tee<\/h2>\n
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Faith\u2019s self-affirmation<\/h2>\n
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Do we have a style winner already?<\/h2>\n
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