Bond Style: Christmas Cardigan at Piz Gloria
George Lazenby as James Bond on Christmas Eve in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Vitals
George Lazenby as James Bond, British secret agent posing as a heraldry expert
Swiss Alps, Christmas Eve, 1969
Film: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Release Date: December 18, 1969
Director: Peter R. Hunt
Costume Designer: Marjory Cornelius
Background
BAMF Style’s 5 Days of Christmas
While most of us will be choosing to spend Christmas Eve with family, James Bond instead settles on an alpine resort filled with gun-toting henchmen and undersexed European beauties. Unfortunately for him, his penchant for the latter gets him in deep water with the former.
Merry Christmas Eve from James Bond and BAMF Style.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of the more controversial Bond films. As the world’s first Bond after Sean Connery, George Lazenby turned in a suitable performance for a 30-year-old who had previously been an underwear model in Australia. Not all were crazy about him, but the film is good enough on its own merits that, despite an initially harsh reaction—but a big box office!—it has stood the test of time and now ranks among many Bond fans’ favorite of the franchise.
Made in 1969, it bridged the awkward gap between 1960s cool and 1970s tacky. Lazenby’s suits look just as good as Connery’s while effectively mixing conservative (dark navy three-piece suits for the office) and modern (a cream suit and pink shirt for vacation). Unfortunately, casual-wear and formalwear suffered the influence of current fads, including his frilly-shirted tuxedo, the orange golf jump suit, and—of course—his infamous Highland kilt and cravat at Piz Gloria.
However, one casual ensemble from the film stands out as an example of comfort and timelessness.
What’d He Wear?
Christmas Eve at Piz Gloria. Mega-villain Blofeld is plotting his final moves before threatening the rest of the world. A bevy of international beauties are receiving their last round of Blofeld’s “therapy” and anxiously awaiting their late night rendezvouses with Sir Hilary Bray. Sir Hilary himself, James Bond in disguise, is roaming around armed with only a metal ruler to break into the electronic doors and into the “hearts” of Blofeld’s young patients.
Much to his horror, Bond woke up laying down and the first person he saw was Telly Savalas in a tight turtleneck(!)
For his casual and comfortable romp around Piz Gloria, Bond takes it easy in a relaxed cardigan and trousers. The beige raglan-sleeve cardigan has five dark brown buttons and patch pockets on the hips.
Bond, about to meet with an unpleasant surprise. Merry Christmas though.
Underneath his sweater, Bond wears an ecru tattersall shirt in brushed cotton twill with buttoned barrel cuffs. The collar is a standard turndown spread collar and the front features white buttons on a plain front. The tattersall pattern is dark green and gold.
You’ll notice, since you’re sharp like that, that Bond is not wearing any sort of Santa or Frosty the Snowman tie that plays a song when you press it. Please follow this example.
Bond’s trousers are from his brown tweed suit worn during his arrival the previous day. The pattern consists of cream mini checks with a rust red windowpane overcheck. They have double forward-facing pleats like most of Bond’s suits across the ’60s. The bottoms are cuffed and the waist is fitted with button-tab side adjusters. The side pockets are slanted and have a useful ecru lining that Bond finds a fun new use for. There are no back pockets.
Bond’s shoes, part of his disguise as Sir Hilary, are brown leather wingtip derbies, worn with black socks.
Bond’s watch, used in the novel as a knuckle duster, is a stainless steel Rolex Chronograph 6238 with a steel bracelet and silver dial. On December 16, 2003—two days before the 34th anniversary of the film’s release—the watch was sold at a Christie’s of London auction for £23,400 (about $41,000 in real money). The actual watch’s serial number is #1206613, for record’s sake.
The book On Her Majesty’s Secret Service features a rare mention by Ian Fleming of Bond’s watch brand, described as a Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Go Big or Go Home
Unfortunately for Bond, his libido got him into a fair amount of trouble here. As Blofeld tells him when Bond tries to re-assume his identity of meek heraldry expert Sir Hilary Bray…
Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Bond… Respectable baronets from colleges do not seduce female patients in clinics.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is actually an allegory for being trapped by family during the holidays.
If you can manage to survive the holidays without being chased by goons with SIG Sauer assault rifles down a mountain slope, you’ve outdone James Bond. Well done.
What to Imbibe
Bond later asks for some Hennessy Five Star, which is probably his usual Christmas beverage but he was too busy being shot at by Blofeld’s thugs to get his hands on a good snifter.
Bond, evidently suffering withdrawal after going more than 24 hours without a drink.
How to Get the Look
Forgot gloves? George Lazenby’s James Bond doesn’t let that stop him.
This is actually pretty easy, as only the details set it apart. For example, you don’t need to rip the pockets out of your pants just to have Lazenby-style gloves. In fact, please don’t.
- Deep beige ribbed cardigan with five brown buttons, low patch pockets, and raglan sleeves
- Ecru (with gold and dark green tattersall pattern) casual shirt with spread collar, plain front, and buttoned barrel cuffs
- Brown cream-mini-check tweed double forward-pleated suit trousers with 2-button side-tab waist adjusters, extended front closure tab, slanted side pockets, no rear pockets, and turn-ups/cuffs
- Brown leather wingtip derby shoes
- Black dress socks
- Rolex Chronograph 6238 stainless watch with a white dial and steel link bracelet
Iconic Alternatives has a great rundown of affordable options to channel elements of this, such as his Rolex watch, and many other 007 outfits. More information about Bond’s watch can be found at the brilliant James Bond Lifestyle site.
Do Yourself a Favor and…
Check out the movie.
The Quote
After his escape from Piz Gloria, Blofeld naturally sends his disposable thugs down on skis to chase him. After Bond runs into Tracy at the foot of the mountain, she is curious about his new acquaintances.
Tracy: Why are they looking for you?
Bond: I suspect they’re trying to kill me.
Something you don’t hear too often on Christmas. Happy Holidays.
Reblogged this on Autobiography of a Cad.
Actually, zooming on one of the pics, Bond’s cardigan looks to be a waffle weave, or perhaps a cellulock knit. Probably a light merino wool, perhaps cashmere. Sunspel regularly sells jumpers in old-fashioned weaves like this, and I highly recommend them. If they don’t match a film, then you’ll set your own BAMF trend.
Anyone else think Lazenby was an underrated Bond? He’s no Connery but he still does a good job and he does emotional scenes really well.
As for the outfit, I think this could still be worn today and not look outdated. I would probably wear loafers with this but otherwise it’s a nice casual fall/winter outfit