As for me, I'm looking for an alternative to the Frame Niagra jeans which are rather expensive and not for sale in Europe.
The Brunello Cucinelli jacket also looks pretty good. Will keep an eye out at Allsaints which often have sales.
Looking for a ROYALE Filmwear Talamone Shawl Collar Cardigan, size medium. Preferably in Europe, but the US would work as well. Feel free to send a PM!
drum007: all excellent suggestions! And some are already on the list. Here's what I have planned
-finish the post on tab collar shirts (almost there!)
-DC personal ties (I'll look at 3 or 4)
-A review of some boots
-Post on the flat caps (still waiting for a couple to come in; I bought ones from 5 different brands to try them out). For this post I want to look at both the BC cap and the Stetson
-Gieves and Hawkes turtleneck sweater
-DC Leather jackets (Dunhill, the black leather blazer from Colbert, brown TF, Belstaff Patterson)
-More TGWTDT stuff
I'm also going to have some more guest posts on topics:
-how to re-wax a Barbour jacket
-How to care for your Bond clothes series (shoes, sweaters, outerwear, shirts, etc.)
Plus the regular posts, updates and a couple of contests I'm getting organized.
I haven't looked for any options for that MA1 he wears, but I can get on that in about April. And can you remind me again which sweater was the Zegna one?
DanielC: try ebay. I was looking for a pair of Frames a while ago and saw some lightly used ones on there for $50 to $60
drum007: all excellent suggestions! And some are already on the list. Here's what I have planned
-finish the post on tab collar shirts (almost there!)
-DC personal ties (I'll look at 3 or 4)
-A review of some boots
-Post on the flat caps (still waiting for a couple to come in; I bought ones from 5 different brands to try them out). For this post I want to look at both the BC cap and the Stetson
-Gieves and Hawkes turtleneck sweater
-DC Leather jackets (Dunhill, the black leather blazer from Colbert, brown TF, Belstaff Patterson)
-More TGWTDT stuff
I'm also going to have some more guest posts on topics:
-how to re-wax a Barbour jacket
-How to care for your Bond clothes series (shoes, sweaters, outerwear, shirts, etc.)
Plus the regular posts, updates and a couple of contests I'm getting organized.
I haven't looked for any options for that MA1 he wears, but I can get on that in about April. And can you remind me again which sweater was the Zegna one?
DanielC: try ebay. I was looking for a pair of Frames a while ago and saw some lightly used ones on there for $50 to $60
Not sure if this is something for Iconic Alternatives, or if we should crowd-source it, or both, but one thing I'd love to see are some more alternatives to some of Bond's ties, esp. from the Craig era. I know Magnoli makes great replicas, and I've bought one from a forum member here, but it is a bit of a distance (i.e. shipping costs) and for me it always means a trip to the custom's office...
So what's the reason we haven't seen many alternatives - is it more that the ties are so unique that people prefer replicas? Or do people have abundant options for similar looking ties, so that they don't feel the need to discuss the matter as much as other clothes? In the latter case I'd also like to hear of some good manufacturers/retailers if anybody has recommendations. I have learned of so many places (mostly from Britain) through this forum that would otherwise been completely unknown to me, stranded here in the fashion desert of Germany :007)
"I'm afraid I'm a complicated woman. "
"- That is something to be afraid of."
I have managed to find some good alternatives for Craig era ties (as well as Magnoli replicas) and have posted some on my instagram back in December (as well as included in the outfit posts) if you want to check them out (/mybudgetbond). Marks and Spencer always do a lot of good alternatives and I have found the Morocco knitted tie, Casino Royale Train tie, Quantum ties there which are really good quality and look very close to the originals.
Also if you search Vicenzo Boretti on Amazon he has many ties which come quite close to the originals (Quantum Bolivia for instance) and are very reasonably priced).
Thanks a lot, angelicbond! Of course I follow your instagram ) Vincenzo Boretti is a brand I have seen (I have two of their cardigan alternatives actually) but the Bolivia tie I could not find / was sold out earlier. Is it the colour listed as "brown"? The Marks and Spencer option for the Vesper tie also looks great, but is only available as 100% polyester? How are you finding the quality?
"I'm afraid I'm a complicated woman. "
"- That is something to be afraid of."
First, the post on caps is coming! It's just been more work than I thought and my wife is in India for a conference, so I've been running the house solo for the last week.
About ties: I have looked for options aside from the ones already mentioned. But there are a few specific challenges.
First, TF used some very distinctive patterns for many of his ties. There are some ties from reputable makers that come close, but that begs the question: when is "close" close enough? Finding the right pattern in the right width made from silk (and not made in China, if that matters to some of you) at the right price is really tough!
Second, most tie makers change their patterns each season. So finding something close to the SF PTS tie for example on a regular basis so posts can be updated isn't easy.
Third, and this may be a cop out, I think Indy's replicas are already as close as we're probably going to get to the SA ties at a reasonable price. But ymmv
When I do find a good match for one of the ties or when someone here recommends an alternative I try to add it to the Best Budget Bond Finds posts each month.
Sorry for the long post! Just wanted to give some insight into the troubles I've had in my search!
I now know Winner caps will be too small for me. My cap size is more 61cm.
I wish I could find warmer weather caps in linen or cotton with the leather adjusting strap on the back.
Thanks! Yeah, if you're a 61cm, that Winner will be too small. As for the caps with the leather strap, I really looked everywhere. Most of the cheaper ones have adjusters on the side. I want one in linen or cotton as well. Considering I live in the tropics a wool or cashmere hat ain't going to do me much good.
Maybe you can find a Barbour Boyd on ebay or somewhere? That has a strap at the back. However, it's an Ivy cap style, so I know now that it won't work for me .
I'm going to be doing one other post on an item I've been personally interested in, then on to the ties and leather jackets plus some sweater updates.
Have a good one!
Happy weekend to you too canoe2!
Great to have you back and clearly firing on all cylinders! Speaking of sweaters, I was wondering if there was ever a frugal alternative found for the Skyfall N Peal Oxford blue wave cashmere sweater? I wonder if that’s one you have ‘tucked up your sleeve’, as it were....?
I'm going to be doing one other post on an item I've been personally interested in, then on to the ties and leather jackets plus some sweater updates.
Have a good one!
Happy weekend to you too canoe2!
Great to have you back and clearly firing on all cylinders! Speaking of sweaters, I was wondering if there was ever a frugal alternative found for the Skyfall N Peal Oxford blue wave cashmere sweater? I wonder if that’s one you have ‘tucked up your sleeve’, as it were....?
Thanks! Yep, I'm updating the posts for all the N.Peal sweaters. Those will be coming early next week.
I'll share 2 Skyfall sweaters alternatives I'm looking at now. The challenge of course is the color. And since in most cases I'm stuck using my computer monitor for comparisons, I may be off in choosing "colors that come close to the original".
Here's the N.PEAL in Blue Wave
And here are 2 from Austin Reed that look to me to come close colorwise:
I'm going to be doing one other post on an item I've been personally interested in, then on to the ties and leather jackets plus some sweater updates.
Have a good one!
Happy weekend to you too canoe2!
Great to have you back and clearly firing on all cylinders! Speaking of sweaters, I was wondering if there was ever a frugal alternative found for the Skyfall N Peal Oxford blue wave cashmere sweater? I wonder if that’s one you have ‘tucked up your sleeve’, as it were....?
Thanks! Yep, I'm updating the posts for all the N.Peal sweaters. Those will be coming early next week.
I'll share 2 Skyfall sweaters alternatives I'm looking at now. The challenge of course is the color. And since in most cases I'm stuck using my computer monitor for comparisons, I may be off in choosing "colors that come close to the original".
Here's the N.PEAL in Blue Wave
And here are 2 from Austin Reed that look to me to come close colorwise:
Hi all! I tried to post this earlier but I was having trouble accessing the site. Kept getting db error messages. Is that happening to anyone else?
Anyway, new post on the classic navy roll neck sweater. I was inspired by both the Gieves & Hawkes sweater Craig wore and the McQueen sweater from Bullitt. So 2 for 1!
Banana Rebublic currently has a navy “Performance Pique Polo” in stores but I don’t see it on the website. Navy buttons, pointed collar, mesh pique fabric... Pretty darn close to the Sunspel. Only difference is it’s 3 buttons versus 2. I wanted the black one but the buttons are white. B.R. Currently has 40% off store wide this weekend. Would be interested to hear if anyone here picks up the navy.
Really good tip, @drum007! Probably as frugal a Sunspel alternative can get. Perhaps they are called "Dont Sweat It" online?
I'm not a fan of Sunspel's shades and collar so I tend to stick to Lacoste.
I'm looking for suggestions to some Roger Moore items.
The first one is a shirt worn in Live and Let Die:
Second one is a jacket. Not sure of the movie. Ordinary look, but still appears nice.
Looking for a ROYALE Filmwear Talamone Shawl Collar Cardigan, size medium. Preferably in Europe, but the US would work as well. Feel free to send a PM!
Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed your long weekend/Easter holiday/April Fool's day!
I have new posts and updates coming this week. But if anyone is looking for a pair of Loake Kemptons Massdrop is doing a deal on them for $209.99 (sorry this wasn't in time for you Bond 44). They need to get to 5 pairs sold to get that price, but I don't think that will be a problem.
DanielC, second picture is from Live and Let Die when he switches the black outfit he was wearing for the beige suit when going into Solitaire's house.
Comments
As for me, I'm looking for an alternative to the Frame Niagra jeans which are rather expensive and not for sale in Europe.
The Brunello Cucinelli jacket also looks pretty good. Will keep an eye out at Allsaints which often have sales.
-finish the post on tab collar shirts (almost there!)
-DC personal ties (I'll look at 3 or 4)
-A review of some boots
-Post on the flat caps (still waiting for a couple to come in; I bought ones from 5 different brands to try them out). For this post I want to look at both the BC cap and the Stetson
-Gieves and Hawkes turtleneck sweater
-DC Leather jackets (Dunhill, the black leather blazer from Colbert, brown TF, Belstaff Patterson)
-More TGWTDT stuff
I'm also going to have some more guest posts on topics:
-how to re-wax a Barbour jacket
-How to care for your Bond clothes series (shoes, sweaters, outerwear, shirts, etc.)
Plus the regular posts, updates and a couple of contests I'm getting organized.
I haven't looked for any options for that MA1 he wears, but I can get on that in about April. And can you remind me again which sweater was the Zegna one?
DanielC: try ebay. I was looking for a pair of Frames a while ago and saw some lightly used ones on there for $50 to $60
New post! Finally, alternatives for the Skyfall tab collar shirt
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/2018/02/28/james-bond-tab-collar-shirt/
Good quality Harrington alternative. Ribbed hems and cuffs but you can do a lot worse for € 69.90. I have a few and ordered 2 more today.
Well, you guys wanted a post on DC flatcaps. So I ordered some flatcaps to test them out ...
Enjoy your weekend while I get to work on that ....
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https://www.fatface.com/men/clothing/shirts/formby-print-shirt/932160.html
Limited sizes, but you can find them at House of Fraser and Next
So what's the reason we haven't seen many alternatives - is it more that the ties are so unique that people prefer replicas? Or do people have abundant options for similar looking ties, so that they don't feel the need to discuss the matter as much as other clothes? In the latter case I'd also like to hear of some good manufacturers/retailers if anybody has recommendations. I have learned of so many places (mostly from Britain) through this forum that would otherwise been completely unknown to me, stranded here in the fashion desert of Germany :007)
"- That is something to be afraid of."
Also if you search Vicenzo Boretti on Amazon he has many ties which come quite close to the originals (Quantum Bolivia for instance) and are very reasonably priced).
Twitter: @mybudgetbond1
"- That is something to be afraid of."
First, the post on caps is coming! It's just been more work than I thought and my wife is in India for a conference, so I've been running the house solo for the last week.
About ties: I have looked for options aside from the ones already mentioned. But there are a few specific challenges.
First, TF used some very distinctive patterns for many of his ties. There are some ties from reputable makers that come close, but that begs the question: when is "close" close enough? Finding the right pattern in the right width made from silk (and not made in China, if that matters to some of you) at the right price is really tough!
Second, most tie makers change their patterns each season. So finding something close to the SF PTS tie for example on a regular basis so posts can be updated isn't easy.
Third, and this may be a cop out, I think Indy's replicas are already as close as we're probably going to get to the SA ties at a reasonable price. But ymmv
When I do find a good match for one of the ties or when someone here recommends an alternative I try to add it to the Best Budget Bond Finds posts each month.
Sorry for the long post! Just wanted to give some insight into the troubles I've had in my search!
"- That is something to be afraid of."
https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/blazer2/linen/ludlow-blazer-in-italian-linensilk/E8199?color_name=stable-brown
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/2018/03/16/daniel-craig-style-flat-caps/
Have a great weekend everyone!
I now know Winner caps will be too small for me. My cap size is more 61cm.
I wish I could find warmer weather caps in linen or cotton with the leather adjusting strap on the back.
Thanks! Yeah, if you're a 61cm, that Winner will be too small. As for the caps with the leather strap, I really looked everywhere. Most of the cheaper ones have adjusters on the side. I want one in linen or cotton as well. Considering I live in the tropics a wool or cashmere hat ain't going to do me much good.
Maybe you can find a Barbour Boyd on ebay or somewhere? That has a strap at the back. However, it's an Ivy cap style, so I know now that it won't work for me .
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/2016/09/30/spectre-sanders-and-sanders-playboy-chukkas/
I'm going to be doing one other post on an item I've been personally interested in, then on to the ties and leather jackets plus some sweater updates.
Have a good one!
Happy weekend to you too canoe2!
Great to have you back and clearly firing on all cylinders! Speaking of sweaters, I was wondering if there was ever a frugal alternative found for the Skyfall N Peal Oxford blue wave cashmere sweater? I wonder if that’s one you have ‘tucked up your sleeve’, as it were....?
Thanks! Yep, I'm updating the posts for all the N.Peal sweaters. Those will be coming early next week.
Here's the N.PEAL in Blue Wave
And here are 2 from Austin Reed that look to me to come close colorwise:
Blue Cotton Cashmere 25 GBP
https://www.austinreed.com/jmpr-rn-cot-cas-aqua-3a917f?___store=ar
Blue Merino Wool 30 GBP
https://www.austinreed.com/jmpr-rn-merino-aqua-ffa421?___store=ar
Obviously, I'll have more in the updated posts
Cheers to you my friend -{
In the opinion of those who own the original N.Peal, which of the above alternatives would you say comes closest in terms of colour?
Anyway, new post on the classic navy roll neck sweater. I was inspired by both the Gieves & Hawkes sweater Craig wore and the McQueen sweater from Bullitt. So 2 for 1!
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/2018/03/19/steve-mcqueen-navy-rollneck-sweater/
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Levis-Sta-Prest-jeans-chinos-waist-30-leg-30/282882094874?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
And I just renewed my Loake Kemptons in suede brown - it’s going to be a cool summer
(Just need the silver birch to complete the set)
Keep you posted on their arrival.
Cheers :007)
https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_category/blazer2/linen/ludlow-blazer-in-italian-linensilk/E8199?color_name=stable-brown
I'm not a fan of Sunspel's shades and collar so I tend to stick to Lacoste.
I'm looking for suggestions to some Roger Moore items.
The first one is a shirt worn in Live and Let Die:
Second one is a jacket. Not sure of the movie. Ordinary look, but still appears nice.
I have new posts and updates coming this week. But if anyone is looking for a pair of Loake Kemptons Massdrop is doing a deal on them for $209.99 (sorry this wasn't in time for you Bond 44). They need to get to 5 pairs sold to get that price, but I don't think that will be a problem.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/loake-1880-kempton-chukka-boots