Everyday Bond in real life

blackhawks1229

Evening everyone, this quarantine boredom has taken to me, and I’ve been curious. Lately I’ve been adding new Bond tips and clothing items to Arsenal, and have always been curious. It’s 70* F and it’s raining, what would Bond wear? Anyone every think the same about something else?

Cajun

That's an easy one.

Imagine him in one of Arktis' Combat Smocks in black, charcoal or navy; take your pick of brand alternatives.

https://www.arktisoutdoor.co.uk/collections/smocks-jackets-coats/products/b110-combat-smock-black?_pos=3&_sid=6b4c19109&_ss=r

0073

I'd say a Barbour jacket, possibly a Beacon X To Ki To, with a nice henley under it...

That Arktis is too warm for 70°F which is +20°C

The Domino Effect

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

Cajun

0073 wrote:

I'd say a Barbour jacket, possibly a Beacon X To Ki To, with a nice henley under it...

That Arktis is too warm for 70°F which is +20°C

*chuckles* There's always one.

I try not to over-articulate my replies, but I guess I should know better.

I was trying to inject something new and plausible into the DC wardrobe. The combat smock is a nod to Bond's SBS days, not unlike a navy blue commando sweater.

Artkis has an unlined version for more temperate climates. Why I left it open to "one of" Arktis' Combat Smocks. No warmer or heavier than a waxed parka I can assure you.

All that said, the waterproof parka pitch is based on real-world experience. It's a staple for operational personnel. Just ask Arktis', Helly Hansen's and North Face's government sales reps.

Asp9mm

SBS days Cajun. No way would Bond be in the SAS. He’s far too cool B-)

Matt S

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

The literary Bond was not conservative in his attire, since knitted ties, short-sleeve shirts and casuals/sandals with suits are not conservative ways to wear a suit. He wore his suits in quite a sporty way. But he was conservative in the simple colours and patterns he wore. His style was simple but not necessarily conservative.

Cajun

Asp9mm wrote:

SBS days Cajun. No way would Bond be in the SAS. He’s far too cool B-)

Fixed it! -{

Fred007

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

) ) )

The Domino Effect

Quite right, Matt. While knitted ties and short-sleeve shirts were indeed quite jaunty for the time, I was thinking conservative as compared to Austin Powers or Quentin Crisp, for example! I could not imagine Fleming's Bond ever wearing anything particularly flashy or over-the-top. However, I think simple is probably a more accurate term than conservative.

Matt S wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

The literary Bond was not conservative in his attire, since knitted ties, short-sleeve shirts and casuals/sandals with suits are not conservative ways to wear a suit. He wore his suits in quite a sporty way. But he was conservative in the simple colours and patterns he wore. His style was simple but not necessarily conservative.

The Domino Effect

There's an outstanding outfitter just down the road from SBS HQ in Poole, founded by ex UKSF guys, particularly SBS. I could see today's Bond popping into ThruDark to pick-up some great kit before he heads out whether on assignment or just for some challenging R&R.

Asp9mm wrote:

SBS days Cajun. No way would Bond be in the SAS. He’s far too cool B-)

0073

Matt S wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

The literary Bond was not conservative in his attire, since knitted ties, short-sleeve shirts and casuals/sandals with suits are not conservative ways to wear a suit. He wore his suits in quite a sporty way. But he was conservative in the simple colours and patterns he wore. His style was simple but not necessarily conservative.

So, for literary Bond my first instinct was to go trench coat -way, but then I remembered: in From Russia With Love " But they certainly wouldn't take the risk of revealing themselves to someone with a trench-coat and a cavalry moustache and a beta minus mind."
My question is this: Does this reveal Bonds bias against trench-coats, in the same way he is biased against Windsor knots? Or is his bias against dressing too much like some one with military background? If so, then literary Bond would lean towards something unconventional for some one of his background and status as a civil servant, maybe really a Barbour, or perhaps a MacIntosh in a not so flashy colour as yellow...

0073

Cajun wrote:

*chuckles* There's always one.

I try not to over-articulate my replies, but I guess I should know better.

I was trying to inject something new and plausible into the DC wardrobe. The combat smock is a nod to Bond's SBS days, not unlike a navy blue commando sweater.

Artkis has an unlined version for more temperate climates. Why I left it open to "one of" Arktis' Combat Smocks. No warmer or heavier than a waxed parka I can assure you.

All that said, the waterproof parka pitch is based on real-world experience. It's a staple for operational personnel. Just ask Arktis', Helly Hansen's and North Face's government sales reps.

But here's the thing; No matter how suave Bond is on the screen, let's face it he acts more like a youtube celebrity in some of the scenes than a secret agent, he is still a clandestine operative and he is trying to be the "grey man". I once took a course where one of the things that was addressed was "avoid outdoor brands with military styling, avoid hiking shoes and boots and for gods sake, if you have to wear something military, make it look punk!"
I'd say, that current screen Bond would wear something like this: https://www.harrods.com/en-am/shopping/tom-ford-quilted-lining-raincoat-14951729

danjaq_0ff

Asp9mm wrote:

SBS days Cajun. No way would Bond be in the SAS. He’s far too cool B-)

And that is where you can have no doubt that when being touched by SILVA wasn't his first time, Ducky :v

Matt S

0073 wrote:

Matt S wrote:

The Domino Effect wrote:

I think this depends whether it's the literary Bond or the screen Bond. Literary Bond was very conservative in his attire so whether we set literary Bond in the 1950s/60s or today, it would be conservative. Screen Bond is generally more sporty but it would depend on whether he's heading to the office or taking the Aston Martin out to have the oil changed.

The literary Bond was not conservative in his attire, since knitted ties, short-sleeve shirts and casuals/sandals with suits are not conservative ways to wear a suit. He wore his suits in quite a sporty way. But he was conservative in the simple colours and patterns he wore. His style was simple but not necessarily conservative.

So, for literary Bond my first instinct was to go trench coat -way, but then I remembered: in From Russia With Love " But they certainly wouldn't take the risk of revealing themselves to someone with a trench-coat and a cavalry moustache and a beta minus mind."
My question is this: Does this reveal Bonds bias against trench-coats, in the same way he is biased against Windsor knots? Or is his bias against dressing too much like some one with military background? If so, then literary Bond would lean towards something unconventional for some one of his background and status as a civil servant, maybe really a Barbour, or perhaps a MacIntosh in a not so flashy colour as yellow...

A man stands out in a trench coat. Fleming's Bond preferred a more subtle dark blue raincoat. He rarely dressed like a military man, preferring more relaxed styles, but nothing conspicuously relaxed.

Miles Messervy

Matt S wrote:

0073 wrote:

Matt S wrote:

The literary Bond was not conservative in his attire, since knitted ties, short-sleeve shirts and casuals/sandals with suits are not conservative ways to wear a suit. He wore his suits in quite a sporty way. But he was conservative in the simple colours and patterns he wore. His style was simple but not necessarily conservative.

So, for literary Bond my first instinct was to go trench coat -way, but then I remembered: in From Russia With Love " But they certainly wouldn't take the risk of revealing themselves to someone with a trench-coat and a cavalry moustache and a beta minus mind."
My question is this: Does this reveal Bonds bias against trench-coats, in the same way he is biased against Windsor knots? Or is his bias against dressing too much like some one with military background? If so, then literary Bond would lean towards something unconventional for some one of his background and status as a civil servant, maybe really a Barbour, or perhaps a MacIntosh in a not so flashy colour as yellow...

A man stands out in a trench coat. Fleming's Bond preferred a more subtle dark blue raincoat. He rarely dressed like a military man, preferring more relaxed styles, but nothing conspicuously relaxed.

At the beginning of TMWTGG Bond is wearing a blue rain coat from “Burberry’s.” This was the ancestor to the modern fashion label that we know today. The company got its start making water resistant gaberdine jackets and coats favored by explorers and the military. While the modern Burberry would not at all appeal to Bond, the choice made sense in Fleming’s time. Fleming’s Bond would probably look to a company like Grenfell today.

Cajun

0073 wrote:

But here's the thing; No matter how suave Bond is on the screen, let's face it he acts more like a youtube celebrity in some of the scenes than a secret agent, he is still a clandestine operative and he is trying to be the "grey man". I once took a course where one of the things that was addressed was "avoid outdoor brands with military styling, avoid hiking shoes and boots and for gods sake, if you have to wear something military, make it look punk!"
I'd say, that current screen Bond would wear something like this: https://www.harrods.com/en-am/shopping/tom-ford-quilted-lining-raincoat-14951729

Striving for grey man status, AKA blending, in the operational world is legitimate.

I don't think anyone expects Bond to dress like a military contractor. As Iconic Alternatives advises, anything more than one piece of military-style clothing at a time can become too much like cosplay.

On the flip side, pigeonholing Bond into the same old predictable ensembles gets tiring.

Cajun

danjaq_0ff wrote:

Asp9mm wrote:

SBS days Cajun. No way would Bond be in the SAS. He’s far too cool B-)

And that is where you can have no doubt that when being touched by SILVA wasn't his first time, Ducky :v

BWAHAHA! Shots fired. {:)