UNCLE’s Morocco Inspired Affair

It’s pretty quiet on here lately and it’s a dull and very wet day here in West Cornwall, so I thought I’d share this…

My Niece is getting married next year in Santorini (Greece, not Morocco. In fact not remotely near Morocco). Anyway, it’ll be warm and sunny and fairly relaxed and full of their friends in their 20s all looking fabulous no doubt. On the other hand, I’m old and retired, so I thought that a formal ‘London’ business type suit would look out of place. No, I thought this requires a new costume, I mean outfit. So I decided that the SPECTRE Morocco outfit would be my inspiration. Living in West Cornwall and retired, I don’t often wear a suit so I wasn’t about to drop my hard earned pension on the real Brunello Cucinelli Jacket or Trousers. I couldn’t justify buying a new MTM Tom Ford Shirt either. I decided to take a more frugal route and my research began.

A strange ‘hobby’ this. I spent a lot of time researching (the luxury of being retired). But, really, why do we put so much effort into a costume from a 10 year old film, in which it features for 3 mins. It doesn’t even top Bond fans most favourite film list. 95% of the people won’t know where the inspiration came from. Oh well, I do.

Anyway, I created a ‘mood board’ with some stills from the film and from the items I’d found. I read what I could on here. (Apologies if I’ve pinched one of your photos but they were very useful) and I watched some YouTube videos, particularly The Bond Experience with David’s excellent review of the costume. Finding the right colour was the hardest issue as the jacket changes dramatically depending on sunlight/indoor lighting/filters etc..

Anyway, having found the colour, I decided to take a gamble and order an online Made to Measure jacket from Studio Suits in India. There are lots of different options from cloth, lining, vents, buttons, pockets etc etc. I chose a cotton, elastane cloth with a full lining, double vent, four button sleeve and I decided I wanted a ticket pocket. This is inspired by, not an exact copy. I wanted a slightly more stylish, formal look. The jacket can be seen in the top right picture of my mood board and I think it’s a pretty good match colour wise.

The link is here for anyone interested. I’m impressed enough to recommend them… https://www.studiosuits.com/products/scabal-brown-cotton-stretch-jacket?_pos=2&_sid=d7ad285b3&_ss=r

I measured a MTM jacket I already had, placed my order and hoped for the best (Price was about £480)

They contacted me quickly and said that as it was my first order, did I want to try a ‘Trial Jacket’ first to make sure the fit was correct. I said yes to this (paid another £30) and shortly after received a MTM basic black jacket. Didn’t have a ticket pocket but the other elements were there and more importantly, I was very happy with the fit. I then waited about 4 weeks for my jacket to arrive and I’m very happy with it! The cotton has an almost light canvas feel to it, there are numerous inside pockets and all the exterior pockets are functional. The sleeve buttons are not. (Not really bothered’.

I already have some very nice Anthony Sinclair shirts and so far… I’ve resisted ordering a cocktail cuff version.

I ordered the Magnoli replica tie. The closest I could find to the screen used Tom Ford. But I also have a very nice brown polka dot Tom Ford tie that goes very well with this and might elevate it a notch.

Also, haven’t decided yet whether to wear my Tom Ford Henry sunglasses or the NTTD Barton Perreria Norton. Both really nice. I’ll dwell on that one over the next year…

I have found some Marks & Spencer stretch cotton chinos in stone which are cheap and an excellent colour match in my opinion. (Picture 4 on the mood board) £49 from M&S

I’ll wear these with a Dents woven leather belt. Another Bond approved brand.

And I have a choice of footwear…

I have some Aldo boots which are almost identical to the screen used J Crew boots.

But I also have some very nice Valasca chukka boots and my Church Ryders. I’ll probably go with one of these as I want to elevate the look a notch. I also got a complement the other day on the Velascas from a young lady. That’s a first.

So, here we are, the different elements have all come together for an outfit based on 180 secs in a film that’s almost 10 years old. Not exactly a frugal version of the Morocco outfit, (don’t think we’ve invented a term for somewhere between frugal and screen accurate). Most importantly though, I like it. It makes me feel good and even if those around me don’t recognise it, I hope they at least think the strange Uncle in the corner at the wedding looks smart.

You’ll have to wait another year for the update photos from the wedding…

My thanks to The Bond Experience, Bond Suits, Bond Lifestyle and all the contributors on AJB. You all create a very valuable and useful research resource.

Thanks for reading.