There are certain things you can rely on when it comes to The Celebrity Traitors: the round tables, the inevitable murders each night and at least one contestant who's absolutely convinced they've identified a traitor, only to discover they've been wrong the entire time (Joanne McNally's insistence that Julie Hesmondhalgh was a traitor 'with a capital T' springs to mind). Other things, however, are proving rather less predictable this season. From selecting traitors who appear to have little appetite for the role to missions soundtracked by celebrities singing Ring, Ring, Ring, season two of The Celebrity Traitors is shaping up to be a somewhat hard-to-guess season.
Then there's Claudia Winkleman's The Traitors wardrobe. Usually, I can count on Winkleman to be wearing her signature Spanx Scuba Leggings, except this season she's only reached for it just once. Can you believe it! Instead, it seems as if Winkleman (with the help of celebrity stylist Sinead McKeefry) has been diversifying her trouser repertoire with a pair of Comme Des Garçon's Wool Balloon Wide-Leg Trousers.
Shop: Claudia Winkleman's Balloon Trousers
The switch from her usual fitted Spanx leggings to a more voluminous silhouette feels like one worth noting. Where leggings offer a streamlined, second-skin finish, balloon trousers bring a sense of proportion to an outfit with its curved legs and tapered hems. And, Winkleman can more often than not be found pairing her trousers on The Traitors with blazers, frill-collar shirts, cosy knitwear and lug-sole boots, which, then, is even more surprising to see her pairing balloon trousers with a buckled black shirt, also from Comme Des Garçons.
Shop: Claudia Winkleman's Exact Spanx Leggings
Although the jury is officially out on whether Claudia Winkleman decides to swap back to her Spanx leggings at the next round table, Winkleman's latest look is the nudge I needed to reconsider my own trouser rotation. My own trusty leggings have seen me through countless WFH days, weekend brunches and (one) gym session, but it feels like time to upgrade it for something more, well, balloon.
Shop: Alternatives To Claudia Winkleman's Balloon Trousers
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram.