For the most recent Strictly Come Dancing results show, Claudia Winkleman opted for a stunning 2-in-1 knitted midi dress, and it’s the perfect easy-to-wear outfit for winter events
When it comes to winter events and occasions, trying to find an outfit that’s elegant and chic whilst still keeping you warm can be a struggle. A jumper or cardigan can ruin the look of your dress, but the temperatures are far too low to be sans knitwear for the night.
Which is why Claudia Winkleman’s most recent outfit is a sartorial sensation, that combines warmth and cosiness with tailoring and elegance that would fit right in at a formal event. She wore Self Portrait’s Navy Knit Taffeta Midi Dress during the Strictly Come Dancing results show on Sunday night, and we immediately added it to our party season outfit inspo.
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It features a cosy knit bodice that’s tailored to show off your figure and has a waist belt to help define your waist. However the bottom half of the dress has a dropped waistline and a dramatic taffeta midi skirt that flares out to make it perfect for more formal events.
Sadly Claudia’s exact £400 dress is currently unavailable everywhere, although you can pre-order it now through the Self Portrait website. But don’t despair, because there are plenty of other great options that you can shop instead.
At Hobbs, the Trina Satin Knitted Dress is on sale down from £149 to £99, and comes in a similar elegant shade of navy to Claudia’s dress. It has a slightly more minimalist, streamlined fit that lets you wear it to the office too, with a ribbed knit bodice with three quarter sleeves and a high neck, and attached satin skirt that flows to midi length.
For a similar silhouette, you could also pick up the Thea High-Neck Mockable Maxi Jumper Dress from Anthropologie for £158, which comes in four different colours. Alternatively, at ASOS the Arrange Knit Drop Waist Midi Dress with Satin Skirt is also on sale for £112 down from £140, which comes in a pastel buttermilk colour and features a satin midi skirt with a sleeveless knit top that you can wear all year round.
For something that won’t break the bank, Albaray’s Satin and Jersey Asymmetric Dress is down from £99 to £60 and comes in a stunning deep burgundy colour that’s perfect for autumn and winter. However rather than a cosy knit on top, it has a soft stretch jersey instead which is ultra comfortable, but not as warm.
The beauty of these other options is that they’re slightly less formal and dressy than Claudia’s Self Portrait dress, which makes them much more wearable. Whilst Claudia’s dress is very obviously suitable for occasionwear, the other options have a more streamlined silhouette which you can get away with wearing anywhere, any time.
You can pair them with loafers or knee high boots and a wool coat for the office, whilst a pair of heels and a statement clutch means they’d fit right in at a formal event whilst still keeping you warm. You could even throw them on with a pair of colourful trainers and a bomber jacket for something a little more casual for brunch or a dinner date.
The 2-in-1 design also means there’s almost zero effort required to look put together; the knit matches the satin skirt beautifully, and you don’t need to worry about whether the jumper’s hemline suits the skirt or not. Just throw it on, add you accessories, and go.