James bond cardigan casino royale
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die (2021)
It’s here: the 25th James Bond film and Daniel Craig’s final outing as the world’s least secret agent. And there’s little doubt that Craig’s James Bond has had a huge impact on men’s style. From his initial brooding foray in Casino Royale to the immense Skyfall and finally to No Time to Die (yes, we’re skipping the crap ones), 007 has consistently shown off impeccable taste, whether suited and booted or in a more off-duty look. Here then are three of Craig’s most iconic and stylish 007 looks, and how you too can emulate Bond. James Bond.
Casino Royale (2006)
Craig’s first clandestine outing in 2006 was a new era for 007, a grittier, more thoughtful era, and one reflected in his clothes. Sure, there was still the occasional poker-ready tuxedo, but combined with a few more casual outfits tailored specifically to show off this new, more brutal Bond – such as this all-season ensemble on the canals of Venice.
The T-Shirt: Sunspel Riviera V Neck T-shirt
After reinventing their iconic polo for the film, Sunspel also decided to tailor their v-neck to Daniel Craig’s imposing physique, giving us the Riviera T-shirt. The two-fold, long-staple cotton is incredibly soft and perfect for transitioning between seasons, the kind of wardrobe staple that no man should be without. Here it makes the perfect underlayer for Craig’s canal louche look.
£75, available at Sunspel.
The Cardigan: John Smedley ‘Cullen’ Cardigan
The Cullen cardigan is a dye-in-the-wool classic of British knitwear. Said wool is in fact a combination of cashmere and merino wool for comfort and breathability so that, even though it’s geared towards winter layering, it works to keep the chill Venetian wind off despite the warm weather. Add in a shawl neck for some old school flair, unbutton for a more casual drape and there you have it.
£335, available at John Smedley.
The Chinos: Ralph Lauren Buckled Stretch Chino Trouser
Another classic, albeit venturing slightly further away from his usual British sensibilities, is a pair of light-coloured Ralph Lauren chinos. You should never board a boat without them. Contrasting with the black cardigan, they’re the perfect smart casual trouser for any season. The latest version would be a vintage-inspired buckled stretch chinos in khaki stone.
£125, available at Ralph Lauren.
The Watch: Omega Diver 300m Co‑Axial Master Chronometer
‘Rolex?’, ‘Omega.’ The call and response that hammered home that the new Bond watch had arrived. The 300m Professional was already a well thought of timepiece before then but afterwards its signature wavy blue dial became a must-have for divers and collectors alike. It’s had an aesthetic update since 2006, particularly around the bezel, but it’s still instantly recognisable as the Bond watch.
£4,450, available at Omega.
Skyfall (2012)
What many consider the best Bond film ever made (they’ve obviously never seen Octopussy), Skyfall not only delved into the oft-ignored backstory of James Bond but offered up everything from Komodo dragons to Home Alone with guns. This brooding shot of Craig heading towards his family home in Scotland encapsulates what the whole film is about.
The Suit: Tom Ford Shelton Wool-Fresco Suit
Tom Ford is the de facto James Bond tailor and is behind pretty much every two-piece, three-piece and tuxedo that the spy has worn in the Craig era. Of course, Bond suits are bespoke, so don’t expect to find them off the rack any time soon. Tom Ford’s Shelton Suit however is in a similar style and, while blue rather than green (at time of writing there isn’t a like-to-like comparison in the designer’s collection) it’ll keep you looking just as sharp, for far less money.
£2,980, available at MATCHESFASHION.
The Watch: Omega Aqua Terra 150m Co‑Axial Master Chronometer
Bond actually wore two Omegas throughout the course of Skyfall, the first being a big, bulky, Planet Ocean 600m. For a more restrained look however, he opted for the dressier Aqua Terra 150m. It’s a less intense bit of kit but goes far better with tailoring, able to slip under the cuff without catching. The specific version in question has a blue dial with the collection’s signature teak decking-esque engraving. It’s the most pared back of Omega’s Seamaster collection but still a decently solid timepiece – which is probably a good thing when your country estate is about to be blown up.
£4,910, available at Omega.
The Car: Aston Martin DB5
No Bond film is complete without an Aston Martin these days and no Bond film is over until that Aston Martin has been blown up at least once. The car this time however isn’t a modern Aston, but the classic that put one in every film fan’s dream garage: the legendary DB5.
According to director Sam Mendes, Skyfall’s last scenes were meant to look as if they could have been filmed in 1962, going back to Bonds roots figuratively and, in the movie, literally. This Aston Martin is the perfect example of that. Needless to say, they don’t come cheap and will set you back upwards of £500,000. If you’re looking for a serious example, keep an eye on British Aston Martin specialist Nicholas Mee, who often have some flawless DB5s on offer.
More details at Nicholas Mee.
No Time to Die (2021)
Delays are never good but in the case of No Time to Die at least they weren’t due to production. Besides, there are a fair few things to be excited about, not least of which will be Rami Malek’s villainous Safin. Whoever takes over from Craig will have some seriously stylish boots to fill. Speaking of…
The Coat: Massimo Alba Duster & Trousers
Deviating from his usual penchant for Barbour, the RAIN2 duster is made by Milanese brand Massimo Alba from cotton needlecord (corduroy by any other name) and is distinctly non-fitted for a cool, flowing look that drapes nicely when open. The mossy green couldn’t fit better with the natural environment – just don’t expect the rain coat to keep off a serious storm. For a chill forest though? It couldn’t be better, especially if you like a good swoosh. The trousers, incidentally, are from Massimo Alba too, namely the Mauko in a washed black of the same needlecord material.
RAIN2 Duster, €837, available at Massimo Alba, Mauko Trousers, €290, available at Massimo Alba.
The Shirt: Rag & Bone Classic Cotton Henley Shirt
A classic, long-sleeved Henley shirt, this is actually worn by Craig a few times throughout No Time to Die. And it’s not hard to see why. The classic fit, the soft cotton, the everyday need for a white underlayer, it’s the shirt that keeps on giving. Complete with a Henley collar and the New York brand’s typically exceptional quality. Looking for a year-round layering staple? Then this is it.
£130, available at Rag & Bone.
The Boots: Crockett & Jones Molton Chukka Boot
Northampton shoemaker Crockett & Jones have been working with the franchise since Skyfall and for this particular jaunt the pair in question is the Molton Chukka boots in rough-out suede in a dark, chocolate brown. While they’re certainly elegant and would serve well enough in the city, the Dainite rubber sole adds the practicality you’d want when guns could be drawn at any point. I mean come on, who isn’t expecting a tree to explode at any second?
£395, available at Crockett & Jones.
The Watch: Omega Diver 300m Co‑Axial Master Chronometer 007 Edition
A militaristic take on the Seamaster 300m, it still has all the diving credentials but has dropped the collection’s signature wavy dial in favour of a piece of matte anodized aluminium designed to fade over time, complete with tan indices that glow blue in low light. It even has the broad arrow of the Ministry of Defence at six o’clock, an allusion to the mil-spec pieces of yore. With sand-blasted finishing rather than polished, it has the utilitarian, function over form look that Bond’s watch collection has always been missing.
£7,390, available at Omega.