Style vs Costume
johnmhemp
Posts: 2MI6 Agent
Hello- I am new to the board…and certainly to posting. I have been thinking about something lately that I don’t know the answer to so I thought that I would ask those that are in the same situation and see how they felt about it. Since NTTD I have been picking up pieces of clothing that I have liked from all of the Craig 007 films. Royale Film wear and some pieces like the RT jacket, TB shirt, A Sunspel Polo…the usual suspects. I think a person could wear those things all day long and just look nice and fashionable…..but it’s things like the N Peal Sweater with the drawstring….or the Solden Jacket that have got me thinking. Does it look like a costume? My wife said that if I like the sweater or jacket only aim to please myself. In one of his videos David Z suggests that you can wear the sweater with jeans or different slacks to avoid looking like cosplay. I am going skiing next month and I have the Danner Boots/RF Solden Jacket, and Navy Snow pants….and when I tried it on…I got nervous because I looked like I was about to sneak into a Villains lair. My wife says 98% of the population is not attune to what James Bond wore in a particular film…..I mean except for 007 I could not tell you what Jack Reacher wears or a specific outfit Tom Cruise had in a scene in the Mission Impossible series. Or should I not worry about it and just hum the James Bond theme as I coming down the slope?
Comments
there is ongoing debate on cosplay- but as I age I have come to the conclusion that in my opinion-everyone else's opinion, with maybe the exception of your wife, doesn't matter. Wear what you like. These were all items that were for sale individually. Just because they were put together by a costume designer in a movie, doesn't mean that you have to dismiss that look altogether. If you like the way it looks on you- go for it.
Just my two cents .
Don’t overthink it: if you like an outfit, wear it. If you want to mix and match, then do that. Of some stranger comes up and says you look like James Bond, smile and tell her sorry but you’re married ;)
Be confident amigo! If it worked for Bond, it will work for you! There is a reason millions look to Bond for style, he looks great in almost every single look. If you really like the Solden outfit, wear it proudly, and know that it will look effortlessly cool
If you wear the clothes in a way that is practical for your environment, it won't be costume. The NTTD sweater may be distinctive, but if it's a cold day and you need to dress casually, the sweater is stylish. Bond is just as legitimate style inspiration as anything else, and that's part of the costume designer's intent. Bond's clothes are not just for Bond, they're aspirational for everyone. That's been the case since Dr. No.