The name’s icon… style icon. OK, that was cheesy, but James Bond really is deserving of a lot of credit for being at the forefront of cinematic men’s fashion for the past six decades. Ever since Sean Connery made his debut in that Anthony Sinclair-tailored shawl-collar midnight blue dinner suit in 1962’s Dr. No, men have been trying to emulate the sharp-dressing superspy’s signature style. And if you count yourself as one of them, then this guide to the style brands James Bond fans should know is for you.
Over the years, the job of learning Bond’s style has gotten significantly easier. The 007 movies have developed a reputation as the most product placement-laden film franchise in the world, with more and more brands seeming to work with the production with every movie. Combine that with a passionate subculture that’s dedicated to tracking down every item that Bond has ever worn, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for learning how to dress exactly like Bond. So take a look below to discover 20 brands that every 007 fan should be familiar with if they want to cop James Bond’s style for themselves.
Albert Thurston
One common theme that you’ll notice among James Bond brands is that many of them are British, very old, and highly specialized in what they do. And perhaps no company exemplifies this trope better than Albert Thurston. Founded in England in 1820 by the man of the same name who’s credited with inventing modern suspenders, Albert Thurston more or less only makes suspenders, or rather, “braces” (remember, they’re British). And since that’s pretty much all they do, they are exceptionally good at it. Their braces have been worn by royalty and movie stars for decades, and Daniel Craig has worn a pair in four of his five stints as Bond.
The Style You See Here: One of the brand’s more formal offerings, the White Moire Braces are the perfect accompaniment to a tuxedo — which is what Bond wore them with in Casino Royale, Skyfall, and Spectre. They’re made from elegant moiré-patterned silk with leather trim and gold-plated fittings.
Barbour
Just as Albert Thurston is synonymous with suspenders, Barbour is the first name in waxed cotton jackets. Founded in England by John Barbour in 1894, Barbour straddles the line between luxury lifestyle brand and legitimate maker of hardwearing heritage outerwear for traditional British country living. You’re just as likely to see a London finance guy wearing a Barbour jacket as you are an elderly sheep farmer in North Yorkshire, so it’s no surprise that Bond has also found some use for the brand’s timeless waxed cotton jackets in two films thus far: Skyfall and No Time To Die.
The Style You See Here: One of the most famous Bond clothing items of the Craig-era is the Barbour X To Ki To Beacon Heritage Sports Jacket that the character wore in Skyfall during the Scotland assault scenes. That jacket is out of production, but Barbour’s Beacon is essentially a remake of the coat, with the same olive-colored waxed cotton construction and blazer-style button-through design.
Barton Perreira
Barton Perreira is a new James Bond brand in every sense of the phrase. The L.A.-based luxury eyewear brand has only been around since 2007, and they made their Bond debut in No Time To Die. But you shouldn’t worry about their lack of heritage, as the brand’s quality more than makes up for it, with Barton Perreira frames taking weeks to handmake in Japan. Known for the unique style of their glasses and sunglasses, Barton Perreira products make numerous appearances in the latest 007 adventure.
The Style You See Here: James Bond alone wears two different pairs of Barton Perreira sunglasses in No Time To Die. The Joe style, a rectangular plastic sunglass in black, and this, the Norton. The glasses feature a chestnut tortoiseshell acetate frame with green lenses and include special 007 branding and packaging.
Billy Reid
Alabama-based Billy Reid is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young menswear brands in America today. Founded by designer Billy Reid in 1998, the brand puts a modern luxury spin on classic southern style, and it saw a surge in popularity once Daniel Craig became a customer of the brand in real life and requested that it become a Bond brand. Over the Craig years, Bond’s style has increasingly merged with the actor’s personal tastes, and Billy Reid is a great example of a non-traditional Bond brand that has gone on to become a fan-favorite with appearances in Skyfall and Spectre.
The Style You See Here: The ironically-named Bond Peacoat (it’s actually named for the brand’s Bond Street boutique in New York) has become Billy Reid’s signature item. This is the jacket that Craig bought for himself and became so enamored with it that he wore it in Skyfall. The contemporary-styled pea coat is made in Italy from melton wool and features luxe details like leather trim and genuine horn buttons.
Church’s
Back to a brand that more resembles what one thinks of when they imagine a Bond brand, Church’s is an English shoemaker and bootmaker that has been around since 1873. Now owned by Prada, Church’s is a high-luxury heritage brand that is steeped in tradition, and they make some of the best-quality footwear in the world. A favorite of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond, who wore Church’s dress shoes in Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough, the brand’s shoes were also worn by Craig in Quantum of Solace.
The Style You See Here: One of the two pairs of Church’s shoes worn by Craig in Quantum of Solace were the Ryder III suede chukka boots. As you can probably tell, these are a big step up from your average desert boots, with Goodyear-welted construction, a lightweight Dainite-style double-sole for superior grip, and an ultra-plush Castoro suede upper.
Crockett & Jones
Speaking of very expensive luxury shoes from a British heritage brand, meet Crocket & Jones. Founded in England in 1879, the family business is currently run by Jonathan Jones, the great-grandson of co-founder Charles Jones. C&J is highly regarded for their Goodyear-welted shoes and their luxurious shell cordovan offerings, and they have emerged as a major Bond brand during the Craig tenure, with 007 wearing at least one pair of the company’s shoes in each of the franchise’s past three films.
The Style You See Here: The Highbury made its debut in No Time To Die as the latest C&J shoe to appear on Bond’s feet. The sharp dress shoes are built on the same legendary 348 last as 007’s previous shoes from the brand, and they blend a black calf leather upper with a capable “City” rubber sole that’s presumably great for chasing down bad guys.
Danner
At first blush, Danner might seem like an odd fit for ol’ JB. After all, the Portland, OR-based brand has been churning out rugged American-made boots since 1932 and certainly isn’t the first label that comes to mind when picturing a martini-drinking, Aston Martin-driving British secret agent. But remember, Bond doesn’t always rock a tuxedo — sometimes he requires some hardwearing outerwear. And that’s where Danner comes in, with the brand’s hiking boots and tactical boots aiding Bond on missions in both Spectre and No Time To Die.
The Style You See Here: For the latest Bond film, Danner took their relationship with the 007 franchise to the next level by crafting a special pair of their Tanicus tactical boot specifically for the film. The blacked-out combat boots feature a lightweight upper made from a combination of suede and ballistic nylon along with a custom Vibram outsole for traction on all surfaces.
Dents
Leave it to the English to have a heritage luxury glovemaker. Dents was founded in England by John Dent just one year after the United States in 1777 (yes, really), and today all of the company’s gloves are made in an eco-friendly custom-built factory in Warminster, England. The company holds an illustrious Royal Warrant that was awarded by Prince Charles of Wales in 2016, and Dents gloves have featured in a number of films, including Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.
The Style You See Here: Is there anything cooler than a quality pair of driving gloves? Presumably named after James Bond creator Ian Fleming, the Dents Fleming gloves were worn by Bond while driving his Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre. The unlined hairsheep leather three-point gloves feature an elasticated palm and perforated fingers.
Globe-Trotter
When you’re James Bond, your sense of style doesn’t end with the clothes on your body. Every accessory must be attractive and luxurious, which is why Bond prefers Globe-Trotter luggage. The London-based brand has been making luxury trunks and suitcases since their founding in 1897 (were any British brands founded post-19th century?). Long the luggage of choice for British royalty and leaders, Globe-Trotter’s iconic and classic designs have recently made their way to Bond, with the brand collaborating with the franchise on special sets of luggage for the last two films.
The Style You See Here: Globe-Trotter created a special collection of luggage inspired by the set used by Bond in No Time To Die. The collection consists of a rolling carry-on and check-in bag, along with this very spy-ready attaché case. The entire collection is executed in the brand’s classic ocean green vulcanized fiberboard with black leather trim.
John Smedley
As we have seen, there is no shortage of long-lasting companies in England. But John Smedley’s longevity is just absurd. Widely regarded as the maker of the finest knitwear in the world, John Smedley was founded way back in 1784. Not only that, but the brand has been manufacturing its garments in the same Derbyshire factory since its founding, making it the longest continually operating manufacturing factory in the world. Given the brand’s impressive history, it’s no wonder that all six cinematic James Bonds have worn a John Smedley sweater on screen.
The Style You See Here: The most recent Bond cameo for John Smedley came in Skyfall when 007 wore a black version of the Bobby v-neck pullover during the memorable Shanghai scene. The sweater, which has since become a fan-favorite, is knit from 100% merino wool and is about as luxurious as a v-neck sweater can be.
Mason & Sons
Finally, proof that young British brands do exist! Mason & Sons as we know it came about in 2015 when Elliot Mason joined his father David Mason’s tailoring business. The mostly-online brand is dedicated to cultivating and preserving classic British style, and they carry a number of the brands on this list. Mason & Sons has also resurrected several defunct British brands as part of their mission, most notably Anthony Sinclair. Sinclair was the tailor behind all of Sean Connery’s suits as James Bond, and his classic ‘60s style lives on today through Mason & Sons.
The Style You See Here: Over the course of the next year, Anthony Sinclair (via Mason & Sons) will be releasing a 60-piece collection of Bond goods to honor the 60th anniversary of the film franchise. And kicking off the collection is this reissue of the three-piece Glen Plaid suit that Connery wore in Goldfinger. Arguably the most iconic Bond suit of them all, this remake is made from 100% English worsted wool.
N.Peal
Cashmere, the ultra-soft wool of the cashmere goat, is one of the most prized fabrics in the world. And if you want the absolute finest cashmere, then you must get it from N.Peal. Founded in London by Nat Peal in 1936, the brand has had its flagship store in the city’s iconic Burlington Arcade since the beginning. Craig has worn N.Peal clothing in each of the last three Bond films, with the brand’s on-screen presence growing larger each time. N.Peal has also taken their Bond relationship even further with a popular licensed collection of garments inspired by outfits from classic Bond films like Goldfinger, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Live and Let Die, and more.
The Style You See Here: Fictional animated spy Archer may take credit for inventing the tactical turtleneck, or “tactleneck,” but James Bond first wore a turtleneck in a tactical situation in 1973’s Live and Let Die. And the character brought the look back in 2015’s Spectre with help from N.Peal’s 007 Fine Guage Mock Turtle Neck. The 70% cashmere/30%silk sweater appears both on-screen and in the film’s poster.
Omega
Omega’s relationship with 007 is undoubtedly one of the greatest examples of product placement in the history of film. Bond has worn only Omega watches since 1995’s Goldeneye, with various Seamasters adorning the wrists of both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in each of their respective outings as the superspy. The 1848-founded Swiss watchmaker, which already had a sterling reputation, has only seen its popularity increase over the course of the relationship, and Omega now ranks as the number two-selling Swiss watch brand in the world.
The Style You See Here: While Brosnan wore basically the same watch for each of his four Bond films, a blue Seamster 300M Diver (quartz-powered in Goldeneye and automatic thereafter), Craig’s Bond has had much more room to play. He’s worn watches from Omega’s Aqua Terra and Planet Ocean lines, and for No Time To Die, he wears this specially-made titanium Seamaster Diver 300M that was designed with input from the actor himself.
Orlebar Brown
One of the youngest brands on this list, London-based OB was founded in 2007 with the intention of making tailored luxury swim trunks. They’ve since expanded their portfolio to include all manner of men’s luxury apparel, but with a focus on resort wear. The brand’s Bond trajectory closely mimics N.Peal’s: Bond wears a pair of OB swim shorts in Skyfall and goes on to wear the brand’s shirts in the next two films. Also, like N.Peal, OB has a licensed 007 Heritage Collection where they have recreated classic garments from past films. But unlike N.Peal’s sweater-heavy collection, OB’s capsule features mostly summer clothing, with polos, linen camp-collar shirts, and even the notorious baby blue toweling onesie from Goldfinger.
The Style You See Here: Despite their current robust catalog, Orlebar Brown remains known mainly for their tailored swim shorts — often cited as the best in the world. Craig wore the Setter model during the swimming pool scene in Skyfall, and they’re certainly a suave choice with their adjustable side tabs, mid-thigh length, and zipper fly.
Persol
If you’re into luxury sunglasses at all, then you’re probably already familiar with Persol. One of the oldest and most recognized optical brands in the world, Persol has been handmaking their frames in Italy since the company’s 1917 founding. Known for their trademark silver arrow logo, Persol has long been a favorite of movie stars, and that includes James Bond, with Pierce Brosnan wearing a pair in Die Another Day and Daniel Craig donning two pairs in Casino Royale.
The Style You See Here: Unfortunately, Persol no longer produces any of the sunglasses that appeared in James Bond movies. But that’s all right, as the brand has plenty of other icons to choose from. Chief among them is the 714, a classic silhouette in a convenient folding design that is widely associated with the late actor/men’s style god Steve McQueen. Craig himself is a known fan and emulator of McQueen’s style, and for what it’s worth, the actor wore this pair of 714s during a Spectre photocall while making the film.
Rolex
Bond has strictly been an Omega man for more than 25 years now, but prior to 1995, the character was mainly associated with Rolex watches. The world’s most famous Swiss watch brand, Rolex actually got its start in London in 1905. Their ubiquitous dive watch, the Submariner, was worn on-screen by every Bond prior to Brosnan after debuting on the wrist of Sean Connery in the franchise’s first film, Dr. No. Ian Fleming was also a Rolex fan, as he wore an Explorer and referenced the brand as Bond’s watch in his novels.
The Style You See Here: Rolex has gone considerably upscale since it first appeared on James Bond’s wrist in the early 1960s, and today’s Sub is far more of a luxury product than a tool watch. But it’s still a rugged and capable diver with its ceramic bezel, 300m water resistance, and Oystersteel construction.
Sunspel
A British heritage brand founded in 1860, Sunspel has long been renowned for their boxer shorts and iconic white T-shirts (the brand helped popularize the style). In more recent years, they’ve also become known for their polo shirts after outfitting Daniel Craig with one in Casino Royale. That film is the only one where Sunspel products have appeared on-screen (Bond also wears Sunspel tees in the movie), but that hasn’t stopped Sunspel from becoming a core Bond brand. Their Riviera Polo is arguably the most recognizable single garment from the Craig era, and the brand recently launched the Ian Fleming collection of sea island cotton clothing. The luxe fabric is a specialty of the brand, and it was Fleming’s favorite material. The author even outfitted Bond with the stuff on the page.
The Style You See Here: The Riviera Polo, with its lightweight cotton mesh construction, was originally created by Sunspel in the 1950s to keep wearers cool during summers on the Côte d’Azur. But the brand retailored the shirt specifically for Daniel Craig in his debut Bond film, giving the polo a modern, trimmer update and creating an icon in the process.
Turnbull & Asser
London’s Jermyn Street is famed for its collection of world-class shirtmakers, and one that stands out from the crowd is Turnbull & Asser. Quite possibly the maker of the finest men’s shirts in the world, the heritage brand was founded in 1885, and they made their James Bond debut in 007’s very first film. Connery wore Turnbull & Asser shirts throughout his run as the character, and the brand invented the turnback “cocktail cuff” style that was favored by Connery and came to be associated with Bond. While less involved with the franchise today, Turnbull & Asser did outfit Craig with a tuxedo shirt in Casino Royale.
The Style You See Here: One benefit of heritage brands is that they sometimes still offer the same iconic products from decades ago. Like this Dr. No Blue Cotton Shirt. The same shirt worn by Connery in the very first Bond film, this handmade-in-England dress shirt features the trademark cocktail cuffs and ethically sourced mother-of-pearl buttons.
TOM FORD
It’s hard to believe that TOM FORD has only been a member of the Bond family since 2008’s Quantum of Solace, as the brand’s output over the past four films has been absurdly prolific. No company is more associated with Craig’s Bond than the celebrity American designer’s eponymous label, which was just founded in 2005. TOM FORD is about as high-end as luxury designer brands get, and Bond has worn just about every kind of item from the brand you can imagine. From formal wear like suits, ties, and tuxedos, to casual fare like polos, jeans, sweaters, and jackets, and even to accessories such as sunglasses and cufflinks, TOM FORD is more responsible than any other brand for crafting Bond’s modern look.
The Style You See Here: While he more often wears a suit or casual wear, the most enduring image of James Bond style is the character in a tuxedo. And while this TOM FORD dinner suit may not be exactly the same as the one Bond wears in Skyfall, it’s awfully close thanks to its midnight blue mohair-blend makeup, its black silk shawl collar, and its slim “O’Connor” fit — the most frequent suit style of Craig’s Bond.
Vuarnet
A newcomer to the Bond scene, French luxury sunglasses maker Vuarnet isn’t exactly a novice when it comes to their industry. The brand has been churning out high-end athletic-minded shades since 1961, and they have a long association with Olympic skiers. Bond first donned a pair for some wintry exploits in 2015’s Spectre, and the character apparently liked them so much that he wore two more pairs in No Time To Die.
The Style You See Here: Even before Bond wore the aptly-named Legend 06 sunglasses in No Time To Die, the model was already an icon for Vuarnet. The fashion-forward frames were favored by French actor and style icon Alain Delon in the 1970s, and the glasses’ mineral glass lenses are engineered to reduce glare and enhance colors.
The 15 Best Affordable Alternatives To Omega Watches
James Bond has an excellent sense of style, which is aided in part by his very expensive tastes. From $300 swim trunks to $800 chukka boots to a $9,000 watch, 007 isn’t afraid of throwing a lot of money around to get the quality items he desires. But what if you’re not living off the Queen’s dime? In that case, you can still find more budget-conscious ways to show off your Bond style by consulting our guide to affordable alternatives to Omega watches.
