Does Craig's Bond recycle his clothing?
Mattia De Varti
ItalyPosts: 488MI6 Agent
Reading a very interesting article in the blog The Suits of James Bond (https://www.bondsuits.com/how-does-james-bond-dress-after-leaving-the-service), I came to an interesting question: is it possible that Bond recycles his clothes from previous movies in NTTD?
Here’s my thoughts about that. We know that after the Matera chase Bond is supposedly to be retired in his Jamaican villa. So, having left active service he probably has no more the "privileges" he had while working for MI6 (i.e. or his salary is very high – as Fleming too stated in some novels – or the Secret Service gives his employees a budget for clothing). Also, think about the Titanium Omega, issued by the government to agents - as specified on the case-back.
For these reasons, we can think that Bond uses some of the garment he previously purchased. Let’s think about the Tommy Bahama "Catalina" shirt (forgive me Matt, I’ve already read your opinion about that in the blog): we know, as eagle-eyed people, that is not the same Alfani black shirt he wore at the Only & Only in Casino Royale, but for a non-attentive viewer who has a vague reminiscence of the film, it will look the same (patch pocket, straight hem…).
The same thing for the grey shirt he wears with the swimming trunks: isn’t it very similar to the Sunspel "Riviera" for the Venetian romance with Vesper? The only difference are the holes, but after an intensive use…
Another singular detail I noticed in the commentary from Cary Fukunaga is that when Craig unveils the V8 Vantage in the garage we see some suits well stored and covered to protect them from dust. As we have not seen the movie yet, this is only speculation, but, from the angle, it seems part of the scenography just like I illustrated in the photo.
Is it possible that he had them made previously? (let’s also consider a little bit of movie magic and that some suits are ready for him when required). If the detailed was confirmed, it could also lead us to believe the scene is set in London; he suits up and then goes to report to M at MI6.
Furthermore, looking at the clothes hang in his bedroom while talking with Nomi, some garments caught my eyes. The photo is a little grainy, but it is possible to distinguish a light blue linen shirt and what seems to be a navy polo shirt: a nod to Spectre?
Anyway, as I mentioned before, these are just speculations. Let me know your opinion.
Here’s my thoughts about that. We know that after the Matera chase Bond is supposedly to be retired in his Jamaican villa. So, having left active service he probably has no more the "privileges" he had while working for MI6 (i.e. or his salary is very high – as Fleming too stated in some novels – or the Secret Service gives his employees a budget for clothing). Also, think about the Titanium Omega, issued by the government to agents - as specified on the case-back.
For these reasons, we can think that Bond uses some of the garment he previously purchased. Let’s think about the Tommy Bahama "Catalina" shirt (forgive me Matt, I’ve already read your opinion about that in the blog): we know, as eagle-eyed people, that is not the same Alfani black shirt he wore at the Only & Only in Casino Royale, but for a non-attentive viewer who has a vague reminiscence of the film, it will look the same (patch pocket, straight hem…).
The same thing for the grey shirt he wears with the swimming trunks: isn’t it very similar to the Sunspel "Riviera" for the Venetian romance with Vesper? The only difference are the holes, but after an intensive use…
Another singular detail I noticed in the commentary from Cary Fukunaga is that when Craig unveils the V8 Vantage in the garage we see some suits well stored and covered to protect them from dust. As we have not seen the movie yet, this is only speculation, but, from the angle, it seems part of the scenography just like I illustrated in the photo.
Is it possible that he had them made previously? (let’s also consider a little bit of movie magic and that some suits are ready for him when required). If the detailed was confirmed, it could also lead us to believe the scene is set in London; he suits up and then goes to report to M at MI6.
Furthermore, looking at the clothes hang in his bedroom while talking with Nomi, some garments caught my eyes. The photo is a little grainy, but it is possible to distinguish a light blue linen shirt and what seems to be a navy polo shirt: a nod to Spectre?
Anyway, as I mentioned before, these are just speculations. Let me know your opinion.
Comments
I do wonder if the costume designers are even paying as much attention as we are to the clothing continuity, but I suppose anything is possible.
I've always thought the Tom Ford polo shirt in QoS was meant to be the Riviera polo from Casino Royale.
Good spot with the suits in the garage scene and the linen shirt in the Jamaica villa.
https://www.bondsuits.com/sean-connerys-suits-in-woman-of-straw-vs-goldfinger/
Let's do it! I'd also have to go with the OB Morton for the middle. I agree with you on the one on the right, it appears to be short-sleeved shirt and perhaps could be a dark navy polo (Sunspel). The one on the left and the ones covered behind the curtain (convenient enough) look to be identical/same color and design to the TB one. Would love to hear others' opinions!
Intentional or not, the theory adds more realism and relatability to the hero as far as I'm concerned. B-)
My perception is the movie settings' timelines don't necessarily correspond with the actual movie release date timelines.