6 replies to this topic

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Ok, so prom is coming up in over a month, and my goal is to look like the man himself. I know that throughout the decades, the classic Bond tux has changed with the styles, but could one of you experts help me out with the kind of black tie formal wear 007 has worn throught the years?

For example, I would like to know what kind/style of jacket, shirt and pants Bond wears in the following films:

Sean Connery in Dr. No
Sean Connery in Goldfinger
George Lazenby in OHMSS (I am REALLY curious about this tux and shirt. Sure it's retro, but I like it alot.)
Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me
Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye
Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day
Daniel Craig in Casino Royale

Brand names would be cool too (though probably way out of my league. I do know the original was made by Turnbull and Asser, and the last few, possibly by Brioni.)

[JimmyBond]

You might try scanning the credits of the films for help. The Internet is an asset too, someone somewhere probably has a web page dedicated to the particular tux's (or dinner jackets, if you prefer) that Bond has worn over the years.

[JLaidlaw]

This is going to sound different from how I'm intending it I'm sure, but I assure you I mean it in the best possible way. Lots of young guys don't look good in suits because they don't go for the style that suits them, they go for the slightly cheaper suit, or they don't spend enough time looking; they tend to just pick one of the hanger. Your problem definitely isn't going to be that if you're looking this far in advance, but you may encounter a similar problem in trying to dress to someone elses style, unless of course you have a George Lazenby look about you. So what I'd say is try those tuxedo's, and if they work for you great, but if they don't, you might end up looking more like the man himself if you were to buy a suit he'd never worn. It's better to buy a cheap suit that looks good on you rather than a branded suit that doesn't look quite as sharp; and by the same token it's better to buy an expensive suit that looks great on you than to buy a cheap suit that looks awful. Sorry if I sound preachy, but my flatmate has just bought two suits now regrets, because he only spent about two minutes in the changing room. I'm also bitter because I know I could never buy a white suit without people asking me why I look so ill.

[darkpath]

My recommendation, is pay attention to the details. I'd look for a dinner jacket with a shawl collar, rather than a notch collar to start with. This was shown on Connery's early dinner jackets, it's the more traditional design, and it's what I have on my own.

If you're looking to buy, look for wool fabric. If it's a rental, your options will be more limited.

Unless you have considerable financial means available to you, you can probably rule out Brioni. I believe Daniel Craig's Brioni dinner jacket from Casino Royale, which I do take issue with because it has a notch collar, cost four times the price I paid for my first car. On the other hand, the cut and fit are outstanding. My own is by Pierre Cardin, and it's sufficient for my needs at the moment.

Make sure that the fit is a good one. You might be lucky and if you happen to have a model's body, then you can pretty much disregard concerns about fit; but if you're like the rest of us, then make sure that the style and fit work with and for you.

If you do decide to buy, the most economical way to do so, in my opinion, is from a firm that does large numbers of rentals as well. Since they buy in volume, they can pass some of those savings on to the customer, and such firms frequently sell on eBay.

My last suggestion is stick with black.

Cheers!

[Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

If you're lucky you may actually find one from the henger that looks good on you. But from my experience most of the clothes should be tailored to make you look like (00)7 milion dollars
You can always try buing one not-perfect-enough and find a good tailor to remake it to suit your needs, but it's tricky, since what's done often can't be reversed...
Another thing - wool's fine, but it's also risky, because it tends to crumple. And then it certainly doesn't look good :]

Ah, one more If youre going with a partner make sure she looks as good (at least!) as you. There is a saying that a beautiful woman is the best adornment for a elegant man (dear ladies: it was ment as a compliment, and not as a chauvinistic remark )

Edited by Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 13 April 2007 - 03:01 PM.

[Bond#9-GeorgeKemp]

In my own tux buying antics I've gone with the recent Bond tradition of a single button winged lapel number in the jacket. I've also invested in the Casino Royale shirt and tie from Turnbull and Asser which I would reccomend to anyone who can afford it!

[Pam Bouvier]

Dr. M. you said this was for your prom? If so, I'm guessing you won't be buying the tux.

Although I've not had occasion to wear a tux, I have had occasion to act as an "adornment" (KKBB's words... God knows, not mine ) a time or two.

It seems to me the image you want to project (007) is in great part a mixture of confidence, attitude, & style. I think Daniel Craig has proven you certainly don't have to BE Connery, Moore, etc. to be accepted as Bond.

You just have to know how to put YOUR unique mark on the man.

Bryce could probably speak better to the specifics of this than I can.

Never the less, relax. Maybe bring some pictures with you when you go to the tux shop, to give the saleperson an idea of what your looking for. Go with the look YOU think you'd be most comfortable in (the tux, maybe the white dinner jacket ala Connery in DAF). Maybe accessorize like Bond did (the red carnation with the white dinner jacket).

Just rememeber, it's not the clothes that make the man, it's the man that makes the clothes.

Treat your date with the same polish Bond would (FYI, since this is prom, I'm sure the young lady is someone you care about. Treat her the way Bond treats Vesper or Tracy, with respect. She is a worthwhile pursuit, NOT as a disposable pleasure ).

Please remember, young ladies DO ususally, enjoy flowers prom night!

Obviously, once agian I've gotten way too long winded. Good luck! I have no doubt you'll have a great time! Of course, I hope you brief us on the outcome of your mission!