Killer Looks

FASHION Killer Looks

Agent 007’s role as a menswear icon

Written by Tarun Vedula, Contributing Writer | Graphic by Lily Dawson, Staff Illustrator and Designer

The character James Bond fi rst appeared in 1962. Over the next 50 years, Bond would become a household name, starring in 27 fi lms. With seven diff erent actors having played the secret agent, almost every generation of the last half century has had their own James Bond. Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig and many more have all brought their unique skills and styles to the more have all brought their unique skills and styles to the table. Despite their diff erent takes on the agent, each has table. Despite their diff erent takes on the agent, each has maintained the spy’s title as one of the best dressed men in maintained the spy’s title as one of the best dressed men in cinema. From the classic tuxedo to more undercover cinema. From the classic tuxedo to more undercover attire, Bond’s looks have made him a classic attire, Bond’s looks have made him a classic menswear icon for the ages. menswear icon for the ages. What better place to start than What better place to start than the inception of the legendthe inception of the legendary spy’s fi lm career? Bond, ary spy’s fi lm career? Bond, played by Sean Connery, played by Sean Connery, is revealed for the fi rst is revealed for the fi rst time in “Dr. No” (1962). time in “Dr. No” (1962). As the camera pans As the camera pans out from his cigaout from his cigarette holder, Bond’s rette holder, Bond’s tuxedo comes into tuxedo comes into view. The tuxedo view. The tuxedo suit is primarily suit is primarily characterized by characterized by the presence of the presence of satin on the jacksatin on the jacket lapels, which et lapels, which creates a simple creates a simple base and allows base and allows for subtle, yet for subtle, yet noticeable varianoticeable variations in styling. In tions in styling. In Connery’s case, a Connery’s case, a pleated dress shirt pleated dress shirt and a slim bow tie and a slim bow tie elevated his look. elevated his look. We can’t talk about We can’t talk about iconic James Bond looks iconic James Bond looks without mentioning Conwithout mentioning Connery’s show-stopping terry nery’s show-stopping terry cloth romper in “Goldfi nger” cloth romper in “Goldfi nger” (1965). Adorned with a gold belt (1965). Adorned with a gold belt buckle, Connery’s romper, or playsuit, buckle, Connery’s romper, or playsuit, has a hidden front zip and is made of baby has a hidden front zip and is made of baby blue, thick terry cloth material similar to most blue, thick terry cloth material similar to most bathrobes1. Although Bond’s role is a traditionally masculine one, Connery still manages to pull off softer, more feminine pieces like the romper. Coupling it with blue slip-on shoes and slate blue spandex swimming trunks, Connery cemented this monochromatic look in the James Bond universe. tons. boots to fi nish the look, Bond maintains the fi ne line between simplicity and class that he has always embodied. No Bond look is complete without a timepiece. Every Bond fi lm has featured a unique watch, most of which are either from the Rolex or Omega families, with the occasional Seiko. Just like each actor brings unique skills to the role, each seemed to have their about who will be the next James Bond, it’s undeniable that the role not only comes with immense pressure for on-screen performance but also for fashion. For the latter half of the last century, James Bond has been the epitome of classic menswear

More recent iconic Bond fashion moments come from “Skyfall” (2012). As Bond, played by Daniel Craig, prepares his Scottish childhood home for an oncoming invasion, he forgoes his traditional tuxedo for a more western look. The outfi t’s statement piece is a simplifi ed brown Barbour wax sporting jacket without the typical hood and attaching buttons.2 With a tucked-in brown scarf and wing-tipped derby boots to fi nish the look, Bond maintains the fi ne line between simplicity and class that he has always embodied. No Bond look is complete without a timepiece. Every Bond fi lm has featured a unique watch, most of which are either from the Rolex or Omega families, with the occasional Seiko. Just like each actor brings unique skills to the role, each seemed to have their own preference for model and brand. Sean Connery almost exclusively wore Rolex Submariners, specifi cally the 6538 reference. Meanwhile, Daniel Craig stayed true to his word to his primary love interest, Vesper Lynd, in “Casino Royale” (2008), opting for a variety of Omega Seamasters.3 As rumors circulate about who will be the next James Bond, it’s undeniable that the role not only comes with immense pressure for on-screen performance but also for fashion. For the latter half of the last century, James Bond has been the epitome of classic menswear — whoever holds the Bond name next will continue a 50year streak of class and memorable looks. ■

2 Cam Wolf, “This might be the most infl uential menswear outfi t in movie history,” GQ, April 7, 2018. 3 “James Bond’s watches: The complete movie timeline,” WatchTime, March 4, 2022.