It may be famous for the ballroom gowns and sparkly leotards worn by the dancers – but it seems Strictly viewers are more impressed with the outfits of the show’s hosts, Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
In fact, fashion magazines and followers alike have ‘gone crazy’ for the sequined dresses and chic ensembles worn by the pair, many of which sell out within hours of a TV outing.
In last week’s Christmas special, won by EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and dancer Nancy Xu, Claudia wore a £1,077 Needle and Thread sequined maxi dress, which received high praise from Grazia magazine.
It wrote: ‘Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly wardrobe has become our TV obsession and we’re not alone. Almost every high street item she wears sells out instantly.’
During the 2023 series, Tess and Claudia both wore outfits by womenswear brand Mint Velvet: Tess wore the brand’s £99 faux-leather trousers, while Claudia wore its £99 black sheer lace shirt.
Glitter Girl: Fans loved Claudia’s Needle and Thread dress worn at Christmas along with Tess in Karen Millen
Liz Houghton, co-founder of Mint Velvet, said: ‘It is always so exciting to see Claudia and Tess on Strictly in our pieces. They always look fab. When they wear Mint Velvet we see an immediate uplift in sales, often selling out within 24 hours. The leather trousers Tess wore and the sheer black shirt Claudia wore in the early part of the show – people went crazy for those pieces.’
Though often opting for high street options, the pair also don designer garments, which sell out despite the hefty price tag. Claudia has worn four Nadine Merabi jumpsuits on the latest series including the £395 velvet ‘Luna’ jumpsuit which she wore on the launch show and the £395 ‘Katarina’ in black and gold sequins.
‘We absolutely love it when Claudia wears our pieces on Strictly,’ said Ms Merabi, who is creative director and founder of the brand. ‘Her style is so effortless and cool, she is the ultimate Merabi muse. The response is always so incredible. Our Luna and Katarina jumpsuits sold out in a matter of hours after the shows – even I’m on the waiting list for them!’
Trendsetters: The Strictly pair pictured both wearing Mint Velvet during the show
And Han Chong, founder and creative director, of Self-Portrait, whose dresses usually cost upwards of £400, said dressing Claudia was ‘a real joy’.
Strictly fans hailed Tess’s £109 Karen Millen silver sequin dress she wore on the Christmas special. She also wore four other Karen Millen outfits during the latest series including a £409 gold jumpsuit and a £259 lime-green, crystal-embellished mini dress. Natasha Hackett, brand director at Karen Millen, said: ‘Seeing the pieces on Tess brings the detail to life – and then it’s always a firm favourite with customers.’
Both Tess, 54, and Claudia, 51, employ stylists to source their clothes. James Yardley, who also dresses Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, has amassed a wardrobe worth more than £20,000 for Tess, while Sinead McKeefry, who also styles Holly Willoughby, has racked up a £16,000 collection for Claudia.
