Claudia Winkleman has really cemented herself as a style icon thanks to her iconic Traitors wardrobe. Even if you’re not watching the show, it’s likely that you’ve seen a few of Claudia’s country chic looks. We can’t get enough from her Bella Freud grey wool coat to her cosy kits and ‘magic support’ leggings. And one of our favourite pieces from one of last week’s episodes was her black velvet sailor mini dress. Claudia’s stylist, Sinead McKeefry, shared that this piece was from the now-discontinued brand The Vampire’s Wife. The brand was loved by many celebrities and royals, including Claudia, Princess Kate, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
However, it was sadly announced last year that the brand would be closing down, meaning Claudia’s mini dress is now unavailable to buy. Although some pieces are still stocked on certain websites, the sailor mini dress is completely sold out.
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Instead, we have found a couple of alternatives we think give off the same look…
This sailor bow mini dress from Rixo is slightly different in terms of fabric and colour. However, the cut, shape, and sailor bow detail are the closest we’ve found to Claudia’s The Vampire’s Wife mini. If you find black too harsh on your features, opting for a deep navy or brown is a great alternative, and this navy shade is universally flattering.
If you want to go full-on Traitors, team this mini with black tights and chunky biker boots. We’ve found the best £32 alternative to Claudia’s £1k Bottega pair. Equally, due to its versatility, this dress works as a great transitional piece for when we head into the warmer months.
A closer alternative in terms of the velvet fabric and black colour comes from Miss Selfridge. The positive of this one compared to the original is the affordable price tag of under £50. This mini does not feature the statement sailor bow, however, the lace collar detail helps to add that bit of interest and plays into the gothic chic aesthetic Claudia does so well.
Lastly, the least similar but still fabulous alternative we’ve found comes from Sandro. Taking on a more Wednesday Addams look, this velvet mini dress features some stunning design details. Our favourite feature is the pearl embellishments on the scalloped satin collar. This detail completely elevates the dress and gives it a luxe, classy feel.
Team with some simple black loafers and an oversized wool coat for a chic ‘heading to the office’ look, or dress the mini up with a pair of platform heels and a matching pearl clutch bag.
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