HOW TO DRESS LIKE BOND, JAMES BOND

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

The most stylish spy on the planet, James Bond has been a style icon since the early 1960s. Here’s the intel on the Daniel Craig suits and James Bond outfits we can look forward to.

In an uncertain world, we need our heroes more than ever … and we prefer ours shaken, not stirred, and always impeccably dressed. However the franchise develops into the future, we can be sure that he’ll always be wearing a selection of to-die-for suits and other swoon-worthy wardrobe pieces.

James Bond has always been about style. From the very first Bond, Sean Connery (in 1962’s Dr No), through Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and now, man of the moment Daniel Craig, 007 is and has been the epitome of sartorial elegance, internationally recognised and admired but with a very British twist.

A sharp-dressed man whose sleek suits, faultless accessorising and impeccable grooming elicit attention wherever he goes (much like the Scarlet Pimpernel), James Bond is a secret agent who hides in full view, but – and this is important – permanently on duty and dressed to be ready for action. These are the key looks and traits of our favourite international man of mystery, with tips on how to acquire a touch of James Bond style. 

JAMES BOND SUITS / THE SHARP SUIT

For almost 60 years, the James Bond suit has been a sartorial object of desire for men the world over, yet in the books, Ian Fleming gives 007 an understated wardrobe based around just two dark navy suits, one a lightweight worsted wool serge suitable for tropical climes, the other of a heavier weight, described as well-worn and old, so presumably classic, durable and British – the very tailoring qualities that Cordings epitomises so well.

black and white photo of Sean Connery wearing a dark suit, alongside a colour photo of a man in a blue shirt & dark suit
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED – BRITISH FLANNEL SUITING IN OUR CLASSIC SINGLE BREASTED STYLE

On screen, however, image is everything and Sean Connery set the template for Bond suits and style. Rather than follow the trends of the day, Dr No director Terence Young took the handsome Scot to Savile Row and suggested he sleep in his suits to make them look and feel comfortable. Classic British tailoring with a personal trademark twist has been the way forward ever since. Connery’s suit jacket was cut to give a full chest and a slightly nipped-in waist to team with single front pleat trousers with side-adjusters. Cordings Single Breasted Suits have the same sleek lines and quality performance detailing required for all missions. It’s the perfect choice for those seeking this pared-back English tailored look, recently revived for the modern day by Daniel Craig’s Bond, albeit cut a little tighter and shorter.

Daniel Craig wearing a grey suit and blue tie stood in front of a car. Alongside a man in a grey suit & pink shirt with red tie
TO DIE FOR TAILORING – CORDINGS TWO BUTTON BRITISH SUITS ARE READY FOR ACTION

Craig’s suits are the work of American designer Tom Ford but they are still unmistakably English leaning in cut and detail (those handy side-adjusters on the trousers once again). In fact, he was spotted filming No Time To Die wearing a similar natty two-piece two-button suit with a white poplin shirt, a neat go-anywhere navy tie, and (also emulating Connery’s look) a white square-folded pocket hank.

Daniel Craig wearing a light brown jacket, blue shirt, & red tie, alongside a brown suit jacket on a mannequin

JAMES BOND SUITS / THE SUMMER SUIT

Photos of filming of No Time To Die also show Daniel Craig roughed up and dusty in a light but sturdy linen suit. In a heavy but supple Italian linen, Cordings Sand Linen Jacket and matching trousers and sand linen waistcoat will keep aspiring Bonds cool, calm and unruffled in a crisis.

For an extra-sturdy alternative, try Cordings Livingstone Jacket, the perfect weight for the hotter months, whether at home or on missions in far-flung corners of the globe. To get the perfect James Bond style, wear with the Cordings Cornflower Blue Vintage Linen Shirt, timeless and comfortable with a traditional generous cut for ease of movement. Add the Cordings Blue Boxcloth Braces to finish your sleek look.

Sean Connery as James Bond stood on a mountain road in a brown suit, alongside an image of a man in a tweed suit and red shirt
MUTED TWEEDS TEAMED WITH TONAL ACCESSORIES – SUBTLE AND TIMELESS

THE JAMES BOND TWEED JACKET

Blazers and tweed sports jackets appear in many Bond scenes, often accessorised with a 12 bore or thoroughbred. Barleycorn and Herringbone semi plain cloths were worn with panache by both Connery and Moore, paired with flannel trousers and the ubiquitous plain knitted or Shetland tie. Our seasonal tweed jackets are all up to the job; team with either a moleskin or matching tweed trouser in pared down colours for a muted yet stylish town to country via high speed chase look.

Roger Moore wearing a light jacket with the sleeves rolled up, alongside a dark brown shirt & light brown jacket on a mannequin
MOORE MADE THIS SUMMER CLASSIC HIS OWN – OUR KALAHARI JACKET IS PERFECT TEAMED WITH A LINEN SHIRT

THE JAMES BOND SAFARI JACKET

Roger Moore made this style his own, carrying off this summer classic with élan in Live and Let Die and The Man With The Golden Gun. Safari jackets are on trend; wear sleeves rolled up with an open neck linen shirt and twill jeans for a rugged explorer look, perfect for pursuing villains across the desert on a motorbike. Our Kalahari Jacket, in two colours fits the bill, made in a sturdy Lancastrian cotton, it will age beautifully with wear and possibly the odd tear.

Sean Connery wearing a blue shirt and a blue knitted tie alongside a rolled up knitted tie on a white background
UNIQUELY TIMELESS NECKWEAR – THE PLAIN KNITTED TIE. CHOOSE FROM EITHER SILK OR WOOL VERSIONS

THE JAMES BOND TIE

Ian Fleming specified for his hero knitted silk ties in a solid colour, and all the screen Bonds have worn dark simple solid ties with their suits. The style emulated in No Time To Die revealed that the dark tie is still very much part of 007’s sartorial mission. With its narrow width and subtle luxe feel with a workmanlike edge, the Cordings Merino Knitted Tie fits the bill.

And finally, Cordings itself played a starring role within the James Bond franchise when Albert Finney, as doughy Scottish gamekeeper Kincade in 2012’s Skyfall, wore the brand’s trousers for a characterful heritage look, tough, smart and understated, much like Bond himself.

So, if you’re looking at how to dress like James Bond, keep it simple, with rich and elegant British tailoring, dark colours and simple ties.

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