Philosophical question

Commandant

Would you rather buy the correct brand and model, but in a different color or an alternative solution in the correct color and look?

welshboy78

I guess it depends on the item.

For example I would prefer the non SA black Dior then current replicas offered.

However I would prefer a Royale QoS Harrington Replica rather then for example Tom Fords 2016 Navy Harrington that was available to the public

GaryD_007

I have the TF Snowdons in black and much prefer the gradient lenses having tried on the SA colour/model.

Bond44

You have to like it -or you will never use it - for example I have the PO 8500 in Black but I actually prefer the T.i version to wear.

If pushed I would probably go look and colour (which I have thinking about it) in the style of rather than actual in wrong colour. Only exception I can think if is Sunspel polos as I have them in several colours and just love the style

Cheers :007)

-_Quantum_-

I'd rather have the correct brand/model, but in a different color rather than an alternative brand.

I think as a collector, you will loathe having an alternative when you know the real item is out there somewhere. That's what I have learned when going through this hobby. However, just do whatever makes you happy.

CRB

I would always go for a preferred colour/size combo over Screen accuracy. Something I'd feel comfortable wearing. Collecting, in this case Daniel Craig's, size in everything makes no sense to me whatsoever. I think it best to look at screennworn items as inspiration rather than something I have to find a perfect match for.

Bond44

Funny bunch are we not you can never get a straight answer. Still ask 10 people the same question and you are going to get 10 different flavours of answer. Maybe should have made it a poll!

Cheers :007)

walther p99

I strive to get the exact item unless its something that's ridiculously expensive and rare like the Dior jacket. Which if I owned I would never wear as I would be terrified to stain it or something. That's a scenario where getting the cheaper lookalike makes more sense because at the end of the day its a piece of clothing and should be worn.

James Brosnan

Color is very important to me because The SA look is usually what I go for. As many know, I like to update the old Bond outfits, so sometimes I change the color slightly then.

That Dior jacket being sold recently was close enough to my size and was a great deal, but ultimately it was the color that made me decide not to try and get it. However, quality is important too; so, if funds allow, I would rather have a quality piece that is similar in color and details rather than a less quality piece that is nearly identical in color and details. I also like to stick with Bond brands as much as possible.

nafets47

I go for what I would wear more and what is realistic to purchase.

Not everyone is able to buy a MTM Tom Ford suit from a boutique to get the exact suit, however getting one second had that is pretty close is good for me.

If this is about the Black Dior, I think you made the correct choice. I would buy the Black Dior for use over the Navy. Only reason I would get the Navy would be to flip it to someone else that wants it. But that is just me.

Hopefully that answers your question -{

Best,
Stefan

Commandant

Thank you all for sharing your opinions.
I would rather go for the original brand in another color.
Most of the time, the price is much lower than SA versions.

The question is what does JB's lifestyle mean for you?
Do you put more emphasis on the brand (design, quality, feel, rarity...) or just the look (style, quality, SA color,...).
I respect all opinions. -{

walther p99

Commandant wrote:

The question is what does JB's lifestyle mean for you?
Do you put more emphasis on the brand (design, quality, feel, rarity...) or just the look (style, quality, SA color,...).
I respect all opinions. -{

The JB lifestyle means to me in a nutshell, at least clothing wise, is wearing high quality brands and products that will last me a long time. I often put more emphasis on the brand then a particular Bond worn item. For example I have a lot of Barbour winter accessories but not the Barbour Skyfall jacket, because I correlate Barbour with quality and rugged cold weather gear but the Skyfall jacket isn't something I think I would wear often.

Bond44

Commandant wrote:

Thank you all for sharing your opinions.
I would rather go for the original brand in another color.
Most of the time, the price is much lower than SA versions.

The question is what does JB's lifestyle mean for you?
Do you put more emphasis on the brand (design, quality, feel, rarity...) or just the look (style, quality, SA color,...).
I respect all opinions. -{

Honestly personally I walk a line between the two. I like many of the brands and so will buy them if affordable. But i also like the look I like so many times its a combo of the look with one or two key brand items (i.e my own Chukkas and Jeans with say Sunspel polo and Omega watch - Royale Harrington) because I also have my own brand favorites as well like Loake for shoes and Levis 501 for Jeans.

Cheers :007)

James Brosnan

Oh, Comandant, are you the one that grabbed the black Dior? That was a sweet deal. If I had had more funds on hand at the time, I would have thrown my hat in the ring regardless of color, as the black looked great too. The color sacrifice Is totally worth the quality, SA details and Brand association. If you grabbe that, you definitely made the right choice as far as I'm concerned. Still sort of kicking myself for not trying, as I don't know if an opportunity like that will ever come again.

Commandant

I did jump on the opportunity to buy the black Dior jacket.
I regret it is not the SA color... Thus my thread
For your info, Nafets47 knows where to find a size 48 in green color...

Like some of you, I like to buy the brand and would also select other models.

Asp9mm

For collecting purposes, I'd personally rather have something that was screen used, that way, you know it's 100% accurate. If I was going for something I like that is seen in the film and that would be something I would wear constantly, it would have to be absolutely accurate, and the same quality. And that usually only means the original manufacturer. If someone made an accurate/same quality product then I'd buy that if the original was impossible to buy. But if the original manufacturer made the same product in a different colour, I wouldn't be interested-from a collecting POV, unless I liked it.

Arbogast 777

I also have the TF Snowdens in black, only because I had other brown colored glasses and thought it would be better to mix it up a little...

MFisher

For me this is a balance between budget and what is "reasonable".. (clearly a relative term).. Take for instance the SKyfall coats... The BR, the Menlo, and the Barbour.. Those were "expensive" for my budget.. but attainable.. I was able to pick them up because I did not feel overly guilty for dropping the money on them.. The Spectre jackets however ...The Dior.. The Matchless.. The TF Solden.. nope.. just wouldn't be a reasonable purchase for me and what I could justify.. I'm completely content with my Royale jackets from Dan.. (as well as his Harrington).. And in all honesty.. Even had I been able to drop the money on those.. There comes a point I think where you really have a personal threshold of cost/enjoyment.. "Law of diminishing returns" if I remember correctly from my school days.. And that of course will vary from one person to the next..

So to answer exactly.. If possible, yes I prefer the screen accurate pieces.. Their use on screen is the impetus for our collective interest.. But if cost is personally prohibitive I'm good with a nice "close enough".. I'm not specifically stuck on the brand name.. I'm most interested in the look/feel of the character.

Commandant

I find it very informative to share your views and see what orientates your choices and your collection.
Well appreciated -{

Bond Collectors' Weekends

Cost is key and I find myself making cosplay items far more than buying authentic.

Matt S

I'd much rather get what works for me and take inspiration from Bond. For instance, I'm a big fan of pea coats and considered the Billy Reid pea coat after Skyfall to replace the one I had. It wasn't heavy enough for my New York winters, so I had to find something that worked better for me. Connery's suits are some of my favourites of the series, but I don't think his full cuts would work as well for my body as something closer-fitting like Lazenby's or Moore's suits would, so I mix and match things from different Bond suits to work for what I need. Wearing clothes that James Bond wears that don't work for us won't make us any more like James Bond. James Bond is comfortable and usually looks good in his clothes, and we need to be equally comfortable and look equally good in our clothes.

Commandant

I remember The Mantis said that sometimes it is better to chase an original than to look for alternatives that in the long run won't satisfy you.
This happened to me with the TF cardigan. I bought several alternatives, which all together costed more than the original cardigan.

Miles Messervy

As someone who has no interest in collecting, I'm more inclined to take inspiration from Bond's wardrobe and accessories. Occasionally I will truly covet an exact version of something Bond has worn because it is (1) unique and (2) is something that I would naturally wear, but most of the time it's more about the style than the actual item for me.

PoorMansJB

Miles Messervy wrote:

As someone who has no interest in collecting, I'm more inclined to take inspiration from Bond's wardrobe and accessories. Occasionally I will truly covet an exact version of something Bond has worn because it is (1) unique and (2) is something that I would naturally wear, but most of the time it's more about the style than the actual item for me.

And THAT is the essence of dressing like Bond.

GaryD_007

Matt S wrote:

Wearing clothes that James Bond wears that don't work for us won't make us any more like James Bond. James Bond is comfortable and usually looks good in his clothes, and we need to be equally comfortable and look equally good in our clothes.

Excellent point. This is an interesting thread!

As DZ has said time again, it's the experience. Watching Bond on screen he looks cool and comfortable and it genuinely is exciting when we discover new items and styles; it makes this hobby what it is!

In recent times DC himself pictured out and about wearing various garments and accessories are a great inspiration also however, as you so eloquently put it, one needs to feel comfortable and I, for one, much prefer to wear/actively use my collection.

This hobby (although at times v expensive) has heavily influenced my wardrobe and preferred style, particularly since 2006, although I recently bought the Dr No blue 'cocktail' cuff shirt from T&A having watched the earlier films again. An excellent piece fitted for me at Jermyn Street (17.5" neck, 44" chest, 34" waist).

Commandant

How do you wear your Bond related items ?
Do you combine and mix them or do you simply wear a specific sceen outfit?

welshboy78

Mix em up

Bond44

I tend to go mainly screen outfit maybe once a week or so, after all it was why you liked them in the first place. Mix them up occasionally usually on business trips usually where you want maximum utility from minimum outfits. Really works with the later films because the love of Black, Blue and Grey items really mix and match well.

Cheers :007)

minigeff

Asp9mm wrote:

For collecting purposes, I'd personally rather have something that was screen used, that way, you know it's 100% accurate. If I was going for something I like that is seen in the film and that would be something I would wear constantly, it would have to be absolutely accurate, and the same quality. And that usually only means the original manufacturer. If someone made an accurate/same quality product then I'd buy that if the original was impossible to buy. But if the original manufacturer made the same product in a different colour, I wouldn't be interested-from a collecting POV, unless I liked it.

Never could understand people going for stuff that isn't right.

Whether it's clothing, accessories, watches or even god forbid props, I don't see the reason people settle for less. This might seem odd coming from someone who makes his own replicas, but the reason for that is I make what I can't obtain. The onus is on designing and making pretty much everything myself, and achieving screen accuracy.

So when I see terrible prop replicas selling for quite high prices on eBay it does make me scratch my head a bit. If it's not what you see on screen, what's the point?

I guess when you boil it down the only reasons I can figure out is that you either can't get the real deal (cost or availability) or you've simply decided to take influence from the wardrobe dept's choices and chosen something you like.

I agree with Mantis and ASP in that going for an alternative when you really wanted something different is just fooling yourself and you'd be better off without anything.

As for dressing up in a bond costume, I think I'll pass. The Menlo jacket is nice but way out of my price range but going for the full outfit? Don't think my svelte physique suits the bond style. Think I'll go my own way.

James Brosnan

It's cosplay all the way for me, that's where the old Bond outfits come in handy. I wear the outfits, for the most part, exactly as they appear on the screen (sometimes frugal, sometimes the real deal). I do tend to update the older Bond outfits, but one or more of color/details/vibe is usually maintained. I also do promotional outfits and behind the senense stuff like Craig in the cream Harrington/cardigan etc.

Broz and Craig outfits I usually do Spot on, but Spectre was a little different. Didn't fully like the Mr white outfit or the Clinic outfit, the bottom half of both I wasn't too fond of. I don't have those outfits yet because I live in Florida and wouldn't get much use out of them, but I do plan on updating the bottom portions with my own style. The BC and Matchless outfits are amazing though and I wear those head to toe.

Charmed & Dangerous

I'll buy what I can afford, but it has to be (a) something I really like, and (b) something I will wear. I wear the 'lodge outfit' - Barbour, All Saints Iggy cords (hand dyed the right shade) but teamed with a Moss teal jumper, Superdry Henley and generic brown brogue boots similar to the C&J. It's so cold and wet in Essex/London that I get a lot of wear out if it. But some things I can't afford, so I have replicas where I like the original, eg Hart008's excellent Enjoying Death shirt which I wear with the Topman chinos; the Royale Mr White/Altausee jacket, plus things like the Massimo Dutti version of the Solden.

I also have just about every original Brosnan tie from T&A, but then I wear a suit at work every day and wore those ties to death while they were fashionable.

James Brosnan - agree with you there {[] - as Jany Tamime said, all Bond's outfits have an element of costume to them so it's cosplay all the way for me too )