Going to drop by my local Mango store to see whether I can find one or more of this... at 13 EUR it's a steal. If I do find some, I'll be happy to snag what I can for interested members, and also provide advice on sizing (Mango is usually true to size). Drop me a PM.
Incidentally, Reiss currently have the iconic alternative to the Brunello Cucinelly Morocco pants on sale (which happen to combine nicely with the Mango iconic alternative unstructured jacket)... managed to grab the last size 32 yesterday for 60 EUR instead of the regular 135... they still have sizes 28 and 30 left should anybody be interested.
"Enjoy it while it lasts."
"The very words I live by."
I feel very lucky that I happened to be perusing AJB with my morning coffee and saw the Mango post minutes after Canoe shared it. It didn't take long for the US site to sell out of the jackets, glad I secured a medium...fingers crossed it fits well! Cheers
Hi All! Sorry for being a little absent, had some unexpected travel last week. But a new post is up!
This is the first in a new series I'm launching on the site called "Iconic Essentials". Basically the idea is to look at classic pieces of menswear that have some history behind them and would work in almost any guy's wardrobe. So things like trench coats, biker jackets, trucker jackets, tuxedos, cowichan sweaters, cowboy and engineer boots and also some really cool vintage pieces that are still inspiring modern designs. Some of these will be Bond related, some won't. But the goal is to do one a month.
The first post is on the iconic duffel coat, inspired by The Guns of Navarone:
Anybody have any recommendations on an alternative to the Casino Royale Romsey chukka boot?
I've been looking but it's surprisingly hard to find anything close in shape. The roundness and detail on the quarters and stitching at the ankle are hard enough but then the way the back of the ankle attaches to the sole and two eyelet design make them pretty distinct from normal round toe chukkas.
I don't know if they warrant their own article but I'd love anything that ticks enough boxes )
Been meaning to order the Baron Boutique three piece suit and having shoes to go with the outfit would be nice.
Found a great alternative, if not a match, to the train tie in CR today. Made by Armani, which is cool because the Armani leather jacket was in the film. Saks 5th Ave, Off 5th outlet store in Costa Mesa, CA today! I’m sure there are more floating around and the quality is good. $50
Ever since Skyfall came out I have been in pursuit of a pair of trousers that matches the dark chocolate AllSaints Iggy's worn by Bond in Scotland. The trousers were supposedly dyed by Jany from the original color. I purchased a pair of burgundy Iggy's and tried dying them myself (disaster). Then have pursed other dark brown corduroy alternatives over the subsequent years. Yeah, this has been kind of a sick obsession.
But I want to report on what, for me, has been the best alternative so far. I realized I was focusing too much on the corduroy aspect of the equation and not enough on the fit and the unique color: a VERY dark charcoal brown. It's just not a common shade for trousers.
Recently, however, I stumbled on Flint & Tinder's 365 cotton pants in slate and thought it might be a winner. Today the trousers arrived and them seem almost spot-on. I ordered the slim, but there's a straight option too.
Cheverian: Nice! I've heard good things about those Flint and Tinder pants. I have a pair of JBrand dark grey cords I've been meaning to dye. Might have to get on that this weekend.
It's $108 U.S., 100% Merino wool from a well-resepected Canadian company. Not sure about shipping.
I have a big Bond sweater post coming on Thursday and I am going to include it there. But I wanted to share it hear first. And thanks for the heads-up, Sean!
Great deal on a corduroy Matera suit alternative from Lands' End. It's missing some of the details (ticket pocket and it's a wider wale corduroy for example) but it's on sale until tomorrow for only $156!
I purchased this and it's great quality and very well made. I did go up one size though from my usual XL to XXL and it fits as if it's tailored. I highly recommend this as a budget alternative.
As for shipping costs it was free for me, but I live in Canada.
It's $108 U.S., 100% Merino wool from a well-resepected Canadian company. Not sure about shipping.
I have a big Bond sweater post coming on Thursday and I am going to include it there. But I wanted to share it hear first. And thanks for the heads-up, Sean!
Cheers!
Pussy Galore: “My name is Pussy Galore.”
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
Does anyone have any cheaper alternatives to the ‘Thunderball’, black long sleeve polo?
OB put one out for $500+ which is crazy to me. There’s gotta be a black long sleeve polo for around $15 - $30 that’s similar?
Absolutely. Surely Bond's polo in the film wasn't that expensive (in 60s dollars)?
Connery's casual clothes often were not at all expensive. His Slazenger jumper was acrylic! I think the TB polo is likely merino wool like OB's. A few years ago I bought one on sale at Bloomingdales from their store brand for about $30. They probably don't discount them that much any more. The OB polo is a bit nicer, but not 15 times nicer.
Comments
Incidentally, Reiss currently have the iconic alternative to the Brunello Cucinelly Morocco pants on sale (which happen to combine nicely with the Mango iconic alternative unstructured jacket)... managed to grab the last size 32 yesterday for 60 EUR instead of the regular 135... they still have sizes 28 and 30 left should anybody be interested.
"The very words I live by."
Possible alternative for the Corduroy Suit.
https://www.burgia-sauerland.de/artikel/arbeitsjacke-basic-bs-142
IG: @thebondarchives
Check it out, you won’t be disappointed
That's almost spot on. Even the weight of the cloth is on the light side. It looks a little darker than the Massimo Alba, but that's it.
And Proper Cloth will fit the suit to your body measurements.
This is the first in a new series I'm launching on the site called "Iconic Essentials". Basically the idea is to look at classic pieces of menswear that have some history behind them and would work in almost any guy's wardrobe. So things like trench coats, biker jackets, trucker jackets, tuxedos, cowichan sweaters, cowboy and engineer boots and also some really cool vintage pieces that are still inspiring modern designs. Some of these will be Bond related, some won't. But the goal is to do one a month.
The first post is on the iconic duffel coat, inspired by The Guns of Navarone:
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/09/29/the-duffel-coat/
I worked on this one with my friend Nick from BAMF Style and his companion article should be going live on his site today as well.
DJ007: That Proper Cloth suit is great! I'll add it to the post on the suit with credit to you for the find.
And I'm glad you folks are happy (so far) with the Matera jacket suggestions.
Have a great Sunday!
John
I've been looking but it's surprisingly hard to find anything close in shape. The roundness and detail on the quarters and stitching at the ankle are hard enough but then the way the back of the ankle attaches to the sole and two eyelet design make them pretty distinct from normal round toe chukkas.
I don't know if they warrant their own article but I'd love anything that ticks enough boxes
Been meaning to order the Baron Boutique three piece suit and having shoes to go with the outfit would be nice.
New post: I asked N.Peal to help us with an article on Cashmere Care. It's pretty straight forward but still a nice resource to have.
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/10/03/how-to-care-for-your-cashmere-sweater/
Lots more to come this month! And I'm on the hunt for alternatives for some of the best Bond leather jackets if anyone has some suggestions.
Cheers!
But I want to report on what, for me, has been the best alternative so far. I realized I was focusing too much on the corduroy aspect of the equation and not enough on the fit and the unique color: a VERY dark charcoal brown. It's just not a common shade for trousers.
Recently, however, I stumbled on Flint & Tinder's 365 cotton pants in slate and thought it might be a winner. Today the trousers arrived and them seem almost spot-on. I ordered the slim, but there's a straight option too.
https://huckberry.com/store/flint-and-tinder/category/p/58180-365-pant-slim
Here is how they look with the ToKiTo and the C&J Islays with minor photo editing to compensate for the crappy light.
I get that some people will stumble over the weave not be corduroy, but honestly, watching Skyfall could you tell Bond's trousers have wales?
Ahh great timing! I was just looking to grab one of the N.Peal Oxford's so this is perfect—thanks again for the great posts {[]
New post: Best Budget Style Finds for October. Lots of jackets in this one!
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/10/05/best-budget-style-finds-october/
I hope you all enjoy a martini soaked day! -{ -{
New post: James from the Instagram accounts MyBudgetBond and DonDraperStyle takes a look at some Mad Men style
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/10/06/don-draper-mad-men-style/
Enjoy your Sunday, gang!
John
Quick edit: James is angelicbond here on AJB!
https://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/knitwear/light-grey-turtleneck/SW1019.html?cgid=Knitwear
Nice!! I have a sweater post coming this week so that will get included with credit to you! {[]
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
https://www.spierandmackay.com/light-gray-cable-knit-turtleneck.html
It's $108 U.S., 100% Merino wool from a well-resepected Canadian company. Not sure about shipping.
I have a big Bond sweater post coming on Thursday and I am going to include it there. But I wanted to share it hear first. And thanks for the heads-up, Sean!
Cheers!
I've updated the post on Daniel Craig style flat caps:
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2018/03/16/daniel-craig-style-flat-caps/
Cheers!
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
Here is the link to the jacket:
https://www.landsend.com/products/mens-tailored-fit-10-wale-stretch-corduroy-sport-coat/id_339029?sku_0=::612
And the trousers:
https://www.landsend.com/products/mens-tailored-fit-comfort-first-10-wale-corduroy-dress-pants/id_326735
I also update the post on the suit with more details about it:
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/09/10/no-time-to-die-matera-suit/
Cheers!
https://www.johnsmedley.com/uk/aw19-malcolm-british-alpaca-wool-pullover-in-natural-grey?om_campaign=omme_aca109a1-db4_13622_53373&om_send=b0f747c33acd4fc9b09502762e8a2d4a&utm_campaign=omme_aca109a1-db4_the_legacy_collection&utm_content=uk_all&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ometria
Cheers :007)
As for shipping costs it was free for me, but I live in Canada.
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
New post is live: Part 1 of the Essential Bond Sweaters
https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/10/10/essential-james-bond-sweaters/
I tried to make sure everyone was credited correctly for any finds I listed. But if I missed anyone, let me know!
Part 2 should be coming on Saturday.
Cheers!
OB put one out for $500+ which is crazy to me. There’s gotta be a black long sleeve polo for around $15 - $30 that’s similar?
Coming in Part 2 on Saturday! Got some good ones!
181871692936
Absolutely. Surely Bond's polo in the film wasn't that expensive (in 60s dollars)?
Connery's casual clothes often were not at all expensive. His Slazenger jumper was acrylic! I think the TB polo is likely merino wool like OB's. A few years ago I bought one on sale at Bloomingdales from their store brand for about $30. They probably don't discount them that much any more. The OB polo is a bit nicer, but not 15 times nicer.