New "Bond on a Budget" Mantis-approved Discoveries
django
Posts: 19MI6 Agent
Hello All,
First, I want to officially thank Mantis for providing the Bond on a Budget finds and guide. I have managed to find a good classic Bondian wardrobe by exploring Target, Old Navy, and H&M, and his research has given me a good philosophy on what styles to look for. My updated summer wardrobe is now in fine shape. I've learned that when in doubt, one really can't go wrong in the casual department with plain front fitted khaki pants and a navy blue polo.
In my searching around for his recommendations I found a few things myself, so at Mantis's suggestion here's what I'd like to share:
First, I found a great budget version of the Persol sunglasses with the tortoise shell and grey lenses from Casino Royale. They can be ordered through oc_shades on ebay, item 130159654784: http://cgi.ebay.com/Classic-Movie-Star-Sunglasses-James-Bond-007-2319-TRTBL_W0QQ...
Also, I just recently ordered these cufflinks, item 160257332397, from costumebase on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/007-CASINO-ROYALE-CUFFLINKS-bond-daniel-craig-platinum_W0QQi...
I've gotten quite a few compliments on them, even though they seem to be a bit wider than the authentic ones. But they are substantial and seem to be well made.
Also, since a fly front formal tuxedo shirt is a hard find for less than $100, I dug around and got this 100% Cotton Fly Front Marcella Fold Down Collar one from Clermont Direct: http://www.clermontdirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_71&products_id=160
The Bond NATO watch straps floating around ebay are of uncertain quality, but this NATO strap ala Goldfinger from Wescoastime.com costs the same as most and is made by the reputable Phoenix Strap, UK: http://www.westcoastime.com/bonbanmakinu.html
For a budget alternative to the Rolex Submariner, I recommend keeping an eye out for the Invicta 8926 series 1 on ebay. I got mine for $40 just recently. Here are some links: http://www.timezone.com/library/archives/archives631667691079705901
http://www.pmwf.com/cgi-bin/ForumArchive/webbbs_config.cgi?noframes;read=3387
http://www.pmwf.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=6
As of this week, for $30 H&M still has a white, short sleeve shirt with epaulettes similar to the Bahama one in Casino Royale. This one, however, is linen, but the two front pockets allow one to wear the shirt on its own without showing through. It is a pretty good shirt, I think, and I've enjoyed it.
I found some Nike Air 6c plus sneakers finally. They aren't exactly the same as the Nike Air Articulate, but they are as close as one is likely to get in the US. I got them for something like $40, and they are worth it. I think it was a good design concept by Nike to cover the thick sneaker sole with the leather upper, making the soles appear thin and the shoe appear sleek instead of the common bulky Nike sneaker, all while keeping the great Nike cushion sole.
Finally, if someone wants to buy a great tuxedo at a steal of a price, he ought to go to The Wizard of Aahs store on ebay and look for the M. Valentino one button tuxedo, like item number 110255609866: http://cgi.ebay.com/M-VALENTINO-MENS-1595-1-BUTTON-PEAK-LAPEL-TUXEDO-40S_W0QQite...
This tuxedo is a classic single button peak lapel with a contemporary fit and plain front pants. If one is an Ask Andy Forum member, then the price is $280. I just wore this tux with the Clermont Direct shirt and the above cufflinks with a Jos A. Bank self-tie bowtie and cummerbund, with a white linen pocket square folded tv style (flat across the top). And I managed to search ebay for a pair of white silk suspenders and lucked out on a pair for $10 after searching for a couple of weeks. The occasion was a black tie party in Shreveport, LA. The tux was lightweight enough that I was comfortable in the humid summer of the south. It was a fun night, and the tux, shirt, and accessories came together really well, according to my fiancee.
Well, perhaps this stuff is useful to you, or at least it might be interesting.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my discoveries.
First, I want to officially thank Mantis for providing the Bond on a Budget finds and guide. I have managed to find a good classic Bondian wardrobe by exploring Target, Old Navy, and H&M, and his research has given me a good philosophy on what styles to look for. My updated summer wardrobe is now in fine shape. I've learned that when in doubt, one really can't go wrong in the casual department with plain front fitted khaki pants and a navy blue polo.
In my searching around for his recommendations I found a few things myself, so at Mantis's suggestion here's what I'd like to share:
First, I found a great budget version of the Persol sunglasses with the tortoise shell and grey lenses from Casino Royale. They can be ordered through oc_shades on ebay, item 130159654784: http://cgi.ebay.com/Classic-Movie-Star-Sunglasses-James-Bond-007-2319-TRTBL_W0QQ...
Also, I just recently ordered these cufflinks, item 160257332397, from costumebase on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/007-CASINO-ROYALE-CUFFLINKS-bond-daniel-craig-platinum_W0QQi...
I've gotten quite a few compliments on them, even though they seem to be a bit wider than the authentic ones. But they are substantial and seem to be well made.
Also, since a fly front formal tuxedo shirt is a hard find for less than $100, I dug around and got this 100% Cotton Fly Front Marcella Fold Down Collar one from Clermont Direct: http://www.clermontdirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_71&products_id=160
The Bond NATO watch straps floating around ebay are of uncertain quality, but this NATO strap ala Goldfinger from Wescoastime.com costs the same as most and is made by the reputable Phoenix Strap, UK: http://www.westcoastime.com/bonbanmakinu.html
For a budget alternative to the Rolex Submariner, I recommend keeping an eye out for the Invicta 8926 series 1 on ebay. I got mine for $40 just recently. Here are some links: http://www.timezone.com/library/archives/archives631667691079705901
http://www.pmwf.com/cgi-bin/ForumArchive/webbbs_config.cgi?noframes;read=3387
http://www.pmwf.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=6
As of this week, for $30 H&M still has a white, short sleeve shirt with epaulettes similar to the Bahama one in Casino Royale. This one, however, is linen, but the two front pockets allow one to wear the shirt on its own without showing through. It is a pretty good shirt, I think, and I've enjoyed it.
I found some Nike Air 6c plus sneakers finally. They aren't exactly the same as the Nike Air Articulate, but they are as close as one is likely to get in the US. I got them for something like $40, and they are worth it. I think it was a good design concept by Nike to cover the thick sneaker sole with the leather upper, making the soles appear thin and the shoe appear sleek instead of the common bulky Nike sneaker, all while keeping the great Nike cushion sole.
Finally, if someone wants to buy a great tuxedo at a steal of a price, he ought to go to The Wizard of Aahs store on ebay and look for the M. Valentino one button tuxedo, like item number 110255609866: http://cgi.ebay.com/M-VALENTINO-MENS-1595-1-BUTTON-PEAK-LAPEL-TUXEDO-40S_W0QQite...
This tuxedo is a classic single button peak lapel with a contemporary fit and plain front pants. If one is an Ask Andy Forum member, then the price is $280. I just wore this tux with the Clermont Direct shirt and the above cufflinks with a Jos A. Bank self-tie bowtie and cummerbund, with a white linen pocket square folded tv style (flat across the top). And I managed to search ebay for a pair of white silk suspenders and lucked out on a pair for $10 after searching for a couple of weeks. The occasion was a black tie party in Shreveport, LA. The tux was lightweight enough that I was comfortable in the humid summer of the south. It was a fun night, and the tux, shirt, and accessories came together really well, according to my fiancee.
Well, perhaps this stuff is useful to you, or at least it might be interesting.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my discoveries.
Comments
In fact, I recommend this strategy for any difficult to find item. This is how I found new white silk braces for $10. Otherwise, I would have had to dig around all day on my own. Just save numerous search keywords and have Ebay do all the work for you.
Hope that helps--good luck in your search for the shoes!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290246191329&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123