Budget Bond Collectors Resource

194959799100158

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  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Well, this has been a fun week so far! My schedule kind of got a little disrupted thanks to set photos from a certain movie :))

    But here is the update for the Orlebar Brown SPECTRE shirt

    https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2016/01/12/orlebar-brown-blue-linen-shirt-spectre/

    If you don't already have one, there's some really solid options this season.

    Still working on the re-launch but it's been pushed to early next week.

    Cheers!
    John
  • Enjoying DeathEnjoying Death Toronto, ON CANADAPosts: 1,248MI6 Agent
    A pretty good budget option for the TF jeans are another favourite DC brand, Scotch and Soda. I picked up a pair at my local Hudson Bay for only $47.52 CDN! In-store only at HB and low stock, but they are available online here from another retailer and probably elsewhere;

    https://lovethebrands.com/products/scotch-soda/ralston-campfire-regular-slim-fit/BkRSCRXQX

    https://surplustrends.com/products/144836-2161-ralston-campfire-scotch-and-soda

    Scotch & Soda Ralston Regular Slim Fit Irregular Wash, Style 144836, Colour 2161

    IMG-1064.jpg

    IMG-1065.jpg

    The jeans are MUCH lighter than my pictures show and closer in colour to what's shown in the link.
    Pussy Galore: “My name is Pussy Galore.”
    Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    A pretty good budget option for the TF jeans are another favourite DC brand, Scotch and Soda. I picked up a pair at my local Hudson Bay for only $47.52 CDN! In-store only at HB and low stock, but they are available online here from another retailer and probably elsewhere;

    https://lovethebrands.com/products/scotch-soda/ralston-campfire-regular-slim-fit/BkRSCRXQX

    https://surplustrends.com/products/144836-2161-ralston-campfire-scotch-and-soda

    Scotch & Soda Ralston Regular Slim Fit Irregular Wash, Style 144836, Colour 2161

    IMG-1064.jpg

    IMG-1065.jpg

    The jeans are MUCH lighter than my pictures show and closer in colour to what's shown in the link.
    Ive had these, they are great jeans.
    I've already got some light grey levis 501, which also look similar.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • armenianmoviemanarmenianmovieman The 818Posts: 692MI6 Agent
    Thanks for thes houtout, canoe2! Nice to see you again and hope all is well. I hope somebody buys/compares/reviews them as alternatives to the actual Brunello chinos.

    Congrats on the relaunch, and on the new Bond 25 pics! It's gonna be a long, fun summer for all of us. -{

    Sorry to hear about the casa. On the bright side, not only was nobody hurt, but now you have a beautiful chance to start from scratch! Rebuild it bigger and better!



    Noticed this tie on Barney's..... gives some slight Quantum vibes upon first look.

    The second look? I leave to you all, at just $41.

    https://www.barneyswarehouse.com/product/barneys-new-york-checkered-silk-jacquard-necktie-506107327.html

    506107327_1_TableTop?$pdp_flexH$
    Yes. Consssssiderably.
  • SuperintendentSuperintendent Here and there...Posts: 61MI6 Agent
    edited May 2019
    Bought this at Massimo Dutti today.

    https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/men/collection/polos/view-all/limited-edition-plain-cotton-linen-polo-style-sweater-c911160p8570125.html?colorId=401&categoryId=911160

    It has a banded hem, but it's a cotton/linen blend in darker navy, with a smaller V neck. Perhaps not for the hottest days of summer, but suitable for the spring or under the jacket.

    8Hg8xHfm.jpg
  • Fred007Fred007 Posts: 472MI6 Agent
    Bought this at Massimo Dutti today.

    https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/men/collection/polos/view-all/limited-edition-plain-cotton-linen-polo-style-sweater-c911160p8570125.html?colorId=401&categoryId=911160

    It has a banded hem, but it's a cotton/linen blend in darker navy, with a smaller V neck. Perhaps not for the hottest days of summer, but suitable for the spring or under the jacket.

    8Hg8xHfm.jpg


    Great…...I will see here in France if I can find one in a Dutti shop !!! Thank you.
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,113MI6 Agent

    Cheaper than Tom Ford, but $400 is hardly budget.
  • JTMJTM Posts: 3,027MI6 Agent

    So it's called the Mallory...I think their design team might have had a bit of Bond/TF influence on this one.
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Happy Sunday, all!

    New post: Best Budget Bond Finds for May

    https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2019/05/05/best-budget-bond-finds-may-2019/

    As always, this a mixed bag of odds and ends. But some interesting items are in the mix. And credit has been given for any finds first shared here.

    Cheers!
    John
  • CB0012CB0012 Posts: 110MI6 Agent
    From Budget Spectre....

    20190505-150446.jpg

    .....to Budget 25

    20190505-151607.jpg

    20190505-151340.jpg
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    CB0012 wrote:
    From Budget Spectre....

    20190505-150446.jpg

    .....to Budget 25

    20190505-151607.jpg

    20190505-151340.jpg

    Behold the power of a WATCH BAND!!!
  • drum007drum007 New York, NYPosts: 684MI6 Agent
    CB0012 wrote:
    From Budget Spectre....

    20190505-150446.jpg

    .....to Budget 25

    20190505-151607.jpg

    20190505-151340.jpg

    Fun! Any links to the Bond 25 strap? Color?
  • CB0012CB0012 Posts: 110MI6 Agent
    drum007 wrote:
    CB0012 wrote:
    From Budget Spectre....

    20190505-150446.jpg

    .....to Budget 25

    20190505-151607.jpg

    20190505-151340.jpg

    Fun! Any links to the Bond 25 strap? Color?

    This is what I ordered.....
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ASOGR6I?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

    Doesn't have a deployant clasp but it's the closest I could find for the time being based on what we've seen. That said it's very comfortable and I'm starting to like it more than the NATO.
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Happy Monday, gang!

    New post on alternatives for the CR Venice Polo

    https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2015/12/22/casino-royale-long-sleeve-blue-polo/


    Also working on updates for some other shirts. Just want to share a couple of things I found here first before I release them into the wild.

    Mango has a pretty good option for the CR Madagascar shirt. Of course it goes without saying that Royale Filmwear's is better. But just in case you want another choice:

    43020627_70.jpg?ts=1539955996579&imwidth=512&imdensity=2

    https://shop.mango.com/us/men/shirts-printed/regular-fit-floral-print-shirt_43020627.html?c=70&n=1&s=prendas_he.familia;120.camisas120;Flores

    I've also been hunting everywhere for an enjoying death shirt. So far, this is one from Barbour is the closest I've found.

    173672.jpg

    It's sold out almost everywhere, but Outdoor and Country still has almost all sizes in stock and it's on sale for 60 pounds.

    https://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/mens-barbour-somme-jacquard-shirt.html

    And if anyone wants a Thunderball shirt, H&M has a good option for the blue Revere collar one

    main]

    https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.0683405002.html


    Other news: the relaunch of IA is scheduled for Thursday. But I have a small favor to ask. One of the things I always wonder about is why a reader clicks on a link for a particular alternative.

    I would really appreciate it if anyone who wants to help could rank the following criteria in order of importance (from high to low) when you are looking at alternatives:

    Price
    Clothing brand
    Screen Accuracy
    Online Seller
    It's the "Best Option" in the post

    Just to a give an example: I found a really great alternative for the Enjoying Death shirt (let's say it's a 9/10 for screen accuracy). But the price is $175.00 and it's sold by a cool little (but reputable) website in Japan, which is where it would ship from. Returns would be very difficult.

    I also found pretty good option from Express (7/10 screen accuracy) for $69.

    Which one would you want to know more about?

    My analytics tell me that 9/10 of you only click on the links for alternatives from the big names we all know (Amazon, Express, Mango, J.Crew, Massimo Dutti, Zara, etc.). And almost no one clicks on the links to the lesser-known, small, independent sellers that may have better alternatives but at a higher price or that could be more difficult to get. Much of my time is spent tracking things down on those smaller sellers' websites.

    I hope you guys know I try to be totally transparent about the site. And we all know there are 1000s of online sellers out there and any one of them could, just possibly, have the perfect alternative. This isn't about commissions from affiliate links. Most of the small, independent sites I link to don't have affiliate programs. So if you buy something from them I don't earn anything. Which is absolutely fine with me if I can share the best possible option that people actually want. Otherwise, I feel like I'm wasting time that could be used to create other types of content.

    Anyway, I would appreciate any insights you feel comfortable sharing!

    Cheers!
    John
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Hi John,
    I look at various criteria, availibilty and location, price plays a role depending on the item, if its something like a blue polo shirt or pair of jeans I'll happily spend big money as I'll get the wear, I bought an enjoying death style shirt from Ted Baker that was expensive and I've worn it twice, where as I bought the sa sunspel polo and I've replaced it twice as I've worn them to death.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • CheverianCheverian Posts: 1,455MI6 Agent
    Realistically, I would rank them this way for myself.

    Online Seller
    Screen Accuracy
    It's the "Best Option" in the post
    Price
    Clothing brand

    Like a lot of people who go hunting for these items, I think, it's availability that matters most. Right now I'm finding it frustrating but also amusing that we're all chasing items from Bond 25 that were, until two months ago, widely available and on sale. If we had only known....

    Then for me, it's a matter of what comes closest to the screen version. In some cases I am willing to spend an amount of money almost equal to what the SA item cost because it's close enough.

    Best option, I guess, is subjective. But I usually agree with your choices. I bought a pair of Massimo Dutti puppytooth trousers on your recommendation and was very happy with them.

    Brand doesn't matter unless it's unfamiliar to you and others here. Too obscure begins to raise questions about the retailer.

    Price matters, of course, but up to a point. And I would bet it differs from item to item. I'd be willing to pay more for a near-perfect alternative to the Thunderball butcher stripe shirt, for example, because I've done some searching and (oddly) not found anything close enough. For others here it might be the Enjoying Death shirt or whatever.

    Hope this helps!
  • clublosclublos Jacksonville, FLPosts: 193MI6 Agent
    Price
    Price
    Price
    Price
    It's the "Best Option" in the post

    The reason your site exists, in my eyes, is for budget alternatives to the clothes Bond wears, not high-priced alternatives. A $5 screen accurate polo from Walmart isn't going to get my click either because I know the kind of quality that store offers. As far as I'm concerned, if it's on your website, you've done the due diligence and won't recommend an Instagram seller or some other sketchy site. That is why I look at price and your best recommendation.
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,113MI6 Agent
    John, for me it really depends on the item. Screen accuracy would be a driving factor on which link I will check first. Buying would of course depend on availability, sizing, price, etc.

    I'd be interested in both options for the Enjoying Death shirt. A 9 out of 10 is intriguing.

    I, for one, greatly appreciate all the work you are putting into the site. I also love the links to more obscure brands.
  • lotusguy2001lotusguy2001 Posts: 132MI6 Agent
    For me, it depends but I like price, available to myself, brand is important I’m not adverse to small companies but I want to be able to buy easily and return if needed.

    Screen accuracy is important but not super necessary for me.

    I love the site for budget alternatives that why I visit.

    I also love when the pieces are mixed in a variety of ways, giving one outfit inspiration and showing how the item can be used in ones wardrobe not just as it was featured in the films.

    I love the site and it has inspired me quite a bit.
  • OrnithologistOrnithologist BerlinPosts: 585MI6 Agent
    Availability (which for me means decent shipping options to Germany)
    Screen Accuracy (this can be subjective, depending on how unique the SA item is)
    "Best Option" in the post (usually agree but not always)
    Price (used to be more important, but still somewhat; I'd rather save or wait for the real deal than spend upwards of, say, 100€ for an alternative)
    Clothing brand (matters hardly at all; having the right one from the movie is nice, but otherwise what matters is look and quality)

    Thanks for bringing IA back - it's great!
    "I'm afraid I'm a complicated woman. "
    "- That is something to be afraid of."
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Thanks for the feedback so far! I really appreciate it!
  • HalfMonk HalfHitmanHalfMonk HalfHitman USAPosts: 2,351MI6 Agent
    To me it's a gut feeling if the piece looks "correct" - you can say screen accuracy, but I think that's still a bit subjective. I'm also more likely to give a click if it's a seller I'm either familiar with or have heard of and want to know more about. Certain prejudices about certain brands cause me to write them off without clicking.
  • CB0012CB0012 Posts: 110MI6 Agent
    I tend to use the site as window shopping. I like screen accuracy but I focus more on how the on screen style would incorporate with my own style. What was made for Bond and/or the actors or a specific scene might not necessarily work for me. Plus some items I would have no reason to ever wear no matter how cool it would be to own.

    So if I see something I like on the screen, it's good to have the site as a resource to see what's out there. Plus the variety of options helps prioritize things like price and availability. Also I'm not much of an online clothes shopper so the details about each item help with making a sound decision when I cant go to a store and physically see certain things for myself.

    Cheers for all the work you do!
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    Well I wont be buying the tommy bahama, or TF grey jeans or the sperrys, I've already got the outfit in my wardrobe. Levi 501s in light grey, my shirt is linen not silk but has the right look and my dubarry boat shoes I've had for years and only ever wore them on my boat, I've sperrys and musto boat shoes before and find the dubarry much better for me. I'd add my persol film noir Detective sunglasses and I could wear my vintage sm300 but will probably go with my panerai submersible tbh.
    20190507-175833.jpg
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Well I wont be buying the tommy bahama, or TF grey jeans or the sperrys, I've already got the outfit in my wardrobe. Levi 501s in light grey, my shirt is linen not silk but has the right look and my dubarry boat shoes I've had for years and only ever wore them on my boat, I've sperrys and musto boat shoes before and find the dubarry much better for me. I'd add my persol film noir Detective sunglasses and I could wear my vintage sm300 but will probably go with my panerai submersible tbh.
    20190507-175833.jpg

    That'll get the job done!

    Like many here, I already have a couple of pairs of deck shoes. I keep telling myself that having the exact brand and model isn't important; it's how beaten up they are that counts! :D
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,458MI6 Agent
    canoe2 wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Well I wont be buying the tommy bahama, or TF grey jeans or the sperrys, I've already got the outfit in my wardrobe. Levi 501s in light grey, my shirt is linen not silk but has the right look and my dubarry boat shoes I've had for years and only ever wore them on my boat, I've sperrys and musto boat shoes before and find the dubarry much better for me. I'd add my persol film noir Detective sunglasses and I could wear my vintage sm300 but will probably go with my panerai submersible tbh.
    20190507-175833.jpg

    That'll get the job done!

    Like many here, I already have a couple of pairs of deck shoes. I keep telling myself that having the exact brand and model isn't important; it's how beaten up they are that counts! :D

    Totally, comfort and history. There must be plenty of members who can throw that outfit together completely or just needing one item. So far I'm doing OK, I've also already got a holey grey t-shirt too!
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • crt007crt007 Posts: 86MI6 Agent
    Target’s Goodfellow and Co. brand has a decent alternative to the Tom Ford denim. Not sure if this has already been posted.


    484-E409-B-F01-F-4-ACF-9273-55271-AE06-B30.jpg
  • drum007drum007 New York, NYPosts: 684MI6 Agent
    Just picked up these Caribbean brand swim trunks. Needed something quick so these will do for now. I sized down to get more the DC look. They’re good enough!

    https://www.dillards.com/p/caribbean-solid-6-inseam-swim-trunks/509074261



    C3529341-A80-B-4-A85-BB30-0-CFA2-A43-B0-E5.jpg


    CC46-FB5-A-DDFD-4-CF1-8-EF8-D17028-CFF4-E7.jpg
  • canoe2canoe2 Posts: 2,007MI6 Agent
    Thanks again to everyone who gave me feedback on how they are using the site. Seems like a small thing, but it really does help!

    New alternatives for the Enjoying Death shirt!

    https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2016/04/22/skyfall-zara-enjoying-death-shirt/

    And the DAD Cuba Shirt

    https://www.iconicalternatives.com/2016/07/12/die-another-day-blue-cuba-shirt/

    Going to be busy the next 24 hrs with the site changes. Wish me luck!
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