There are stylish men and then there is James Bond. A fictional character born out of the imagination of writer James Fleming in 1953, Bond epitomises the word sophistication. From his very beginning James Bond has been, and continues to be the envy of men from all over the globe. An endless array of beautiful women, the best motor cars a man could wish for, luxurious getaways and stylish suits; the 007 Bond lifestyle is both dangerous yet thrilling. This ageless British secret service agent is due to celebrate 50 years since his creation and Inhale Fashion wants to take a look inside one of the most sought after wardrobes around.
Shoes
The most important part of a man’s entire getup. A wardrobe without a classic pair of black shoes would be totally incomplete for any stylish gent, let alone the most refined man of the last 50 years. The Bond shoe experience has seen two key brands used in recent years. Church footwear and John Lobb have both had their moment on the silver screen. Many of the formal scenes in Quantum of Solace saw James Bond actor Daniel Craig sport the Church Philip Black Calf, full leather with Oak bark soles. The Church Phillip classic shoe retails at £400 and is both sophisticated and traditional.
Casino Royal saw the introduction of the John Lobb Lufield derby shoe. The Lufield is an immaculate dress shoe that was worn by Flemming’s creation throughout the iconic casino scenes. John Lobb is based in Paris and continues to deliver the highest quality ready-to-wear and bespoke shoes.
Polo shirts/T shirts
The James Bond casual wardrobe often comprises of Polo shirts and lightweight jackets, and while many classic brands of polo shirt would have been acceptable for 007, the Sunspel label has provided the spy with all of his most recent attire. Casino Royale sees Daniel Craig wear numerous Sunspel shirts, with the most notable being his classic blue polo shirt. A selection of the Sunspel shirts are based on a classic 1950s Sunspel design made for the Italian Riviera. They are ultra cool polo’s that come in a unique mesh fabric, cut for a tailored fit. The Sunspel shirts retail at £70.
Evening Shirt & Bow Tie
From as far back as 1962 James Bond has been wearing shirts and ties produced by Turnbull & Asser. Little has changed in the 50 years since the perfect gentleman was created because the famous shirt makers of Jermyn Street still provide our guy with his eye catching evening shirts. Daniel Craig continued a life long companionship when he debuted in Casino Royale wearing shirts and ties by Turnbull & Asser.
Turnbull & Asser describe Bond’s Casino Royal shirt as a limited edition shirt that is constructed from a super fine, two fold, white-on-white cotton.
“Using a classic silhouette, the shirt has been designed with a unique collar, specifically designed by Turnbull & Asser, which is featured in the film. Further subtle details can be found including the mitred double cuffs and concealed front placket that, stylishly, hide the mother of pearl buttons underneath. The bow tie is made from raw shantung silk, giving extra texture and a wonderful handle and tactility when touching the it. The shirt and bow tie will add an air of sophistication to any gentleman’s wardrobe: it is a “must have” item a piece of cinema history. Just like James Bond.”
Suits
Italian bespoke house Brioni has been dressing James Bond in the finest suits for well over a decade. From Goldeneye to Casino Royal, the double-breasted Brit has only been seen in Brioni. The brand is famous for dressing the most famous of men, from Clark Gable, to Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, so it was only fitting that Bond should immortalise himself in this company. Brioni has helped define tailoring, and today represents what one thinks of as “typically Italian”. Its suits aim to transform the man. They deliver a subtle broadening to the shoulders, slightly suppress the waist and make the wearer stand tall, moulding the body according to the jacket – a distinctive attribute of Italian tailoring. The Brioni suit is sheer luxury, unmistakably synonymous with expensiveness.
