Category: Casual
Casino Royale: Bond’s Blue Sunspel Polo in Bahamas
Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale (2006).
Vitals
Daniel Craig as James Bond, recently reactivated British secret agent
Bahamas, July 2006
Film: Casino Royale
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Lindy Hemming
Background
After a brief lesson in How Not To Vacation 101 (getting a beautiful bedmate killed, stabbing an international arms dealer in the middle of a museum, being mistakenly arrested as a potential plane bomber, and checking his work e-mail), James Bond is taken back to the Bahamas via helicopter to meet with “M” and discuss his future.
What’d He Wear?
Following his adventure in Miami, Bond returns to the Bahamas via helicopter, dressed far more casually than he was for his initial arrival. Although casual, it is still a classically simple look and provides Bond with his first on-screen polo shirt since the Connery era. The outfit is very fitting for the warm climate and can be easily adapted for any man. Continue reading
Dexter’s Dark Blue Linen Shirt in “See-Through”
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan on Dexter, episode 2.04, “See-Through”.
Vitals
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, Miami Metro Police forensic analyst and serial killer
Miami, March 2007
Background
When he wasn’t sporting his trademark brown henley and cargo pants for a kill, Dexter Morgan dressed very fashionably and practically for his tropical surroundings. The second season of Dexter, lauded by fans as one of the best, finds Dexter confronted by his gruesome habits and branded the “Bay Harbor Butcher”. Since Dexter had killed more than fifty victims by the time the season started, any police department would be way over their heads with such a discovery, let alone the totally incompetent Miami Metro Police Department of the series. The MMPD calls in the FBI, notably eccentric super agent Frank Lundy.
By the fourth episode, “See-Through”, Lundy and his task force – which now includes Dexter’s sister Debra – are ramping up their case against the Butcher. Continue reading
Bruce Willis in Die Hard with a Vengeance
Bruce Willis as NYPD Lt. John McClane in Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995).
I imagine there’s nothing more American to celebrate the 4th of July than the first Die Hard film set in summer with plenty of explosions, car crashes, and gunfights. Happy Independence Day!
(I’m aware that Live Free or Die Hard was actually set on the 4th of July, but that flick is when things started getting a little too ridiculous. McClane was no longer vulnerable, and I just wasn’t feeling it. I might post about it sometime, or I might not.)
Vitals
Bruce Willis as John McClane, increasingly cynical NYPD lieutenant
New York City, Late Summer 1995
Film: Die Hard with a Vengeance
Release Date: May 19, 1995
Director: John McTiernan
Costume Designer: Joseph G. Aulisi
Bruce Willis’ Costumer: Lori Stilson Continue reading
Bond Style – Crab Key Summer Attire in Dr. No
Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No (1962).
Vitals
Sean Connery as James Bond, cunning and sophisticated British government agent
Jamaica, Summer 1962
Film: Dr. No
Release Date: October 5, 1962
Director: Terence Young
Wardrobe Master: John Brady
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair
Background
Last year around this time, I covered the various swimwear sported by Sean Connery in Thunderball. Today, I’ll be looking at James Bond’s first cinematic beach visit, although his intent was more reconnaissance than leisure.
After a thorough investigation in Jamaica—which included a very bad date—Bond decides that his new target is undoubtedly the evil and enigmatic Dr. No, who has holed up on Crab Key with a small army of disposable minions and a standard megalomaniac plan to take over the world. Continue reading
Hank’s Smiley Face T-Shirt on Californication
David Duchovny as Hank Moody on Californication in the episode “La Petite Mort” (Ep. 2.12).
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, alcoholic novelist and dad
Venice Beach, Summer 2008
Series: Californication
Episode: “La Petite Mort” (Episode 2.12)
Air Date: December 14, 2008
Director: Bart Freundlich
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
The penultimate scene of “La Petite Mort”, Californication‘s second season finale, wrapped up the show’s last truly great season as Hank gave up the chance to accompany Karen back to New York, choosing instead to stay behind with their daughter Becca to avoid unfairly transplanting the poor girl yet again. Continue reading
Don Draper’s Hawaiian Vacation
Jon Hamm as Don Draper in “The Doorway”, Episode 6.01 of Mad Men.
Vitals
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, vacationing Madison Avenue ad man
Hawaii, December 1967
Series: Mad Men
Episode: “The Doorway” (Episode 6.01)
Air Date: April 7, 2013
Director: Scott Hornbacher
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant
Background
As June progresses, I hope many of you are starting to think about summer vacations.
Season six of Mad Men premiered in April 2013 with “The Doorway”, a two-hour episode (technically two episodes aired consecutively, but whatever) set just after Christmas 1967.
When we first catch up with Don Draper again after the ten-month inter-season hiatus, he is in Hawaii on a business vacation, sticking his feet in the sand with his bikini-clad wife Megan. Continue reading
The American: Jack’s E. Zegna Field Jacket
George Clooney as Jack (or “Edward”), the hitman in The American (2010).
Vitals
George Clooney as Jack (aka “Edward”), weary hitman and gunsmith
Castel del Monte, Abruzzo, Italy, April 2010
Film: The American
Release Date: September 1, 2010
Director: Anton Corbijn
Costume Designer: Suttirat Anne Larlarb Continue reading
The Sopranos: Christopher’s Black-on-Black in “D-Girl”
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisani in “D-Girl”, Episode 2.07 of The Sopranos (2000).
Vitals
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, New Jersey Mafia associate and aspiring screenwriter
New York City, Fall 2000
Series: The Sopranos
Episode: “D-Girl” (Episode 2.07)
Air Date: February 27, 2000
Director: Allen Coulter
Creator: David Chase
Costume Designer: Juliet Polcsa
Background
“D-Girl” is a turning point episode for Christopher Moltisanti. We had seen previous mentions of his screenwriting aspirations, including a poorly-written script on his Mac in “The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti”, but “D-Girl” provides his Bugsy moment. Continue reading
Californication – Hank’s Dinner Party in Season 2
David Duchovny as Hank Moody in “The Raw and the Cooked”, Episode 2.04 of Californication.
Vitals
David Duchovny as Hank Moody, recently engaged novelist
Venice Beach, Spring 2008
Series: Californication
Episode: “The Raw and the Cooked” (Episode 2.04)
Air Date: October 19, 2008
Director: David Von Ancken
Costume Designer: Peggy A. Schnitzer
Background
This Sunday is Mother’s Day, Hallmark’s kind way of reminding everyone that your mothers deserve the $4.99 that goes along with sending a greeting card. You might spend hundreds of dollars on a gift, but if you didn’t spring for that card, you may as well have never been born.
In part due to the feminine focus of the day and partly due to the springtime setting, bright colors like pink and purple are often associated with the “holiday”. If Mother’s Day is a dressy occasion for your family, check out the masculine ways that Steve McQueen (as Thomas Crown) and Boardwalk Empire‘s “Nucky” Thompson incorporated pink and purple into their three-piece suits. If your Mother’s Day celebration is a more casual affair, you can turn your attention to Mr. Casual himself, Hank Moody. Continue reading
Lethal Weapon: Riggs’ Blue Shirt and Jeans
Mel Gibson as LAPD Det. Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon (1987).
Vitals
Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs, gradually less-crazy LAPD detective
Los Angeles, Christmas 1987
Film: Lethal Weapon
Release Date: March 6, 1987
Director: Richard Donner
Costume Designer: Mary Malin
Background
After spending a few days with the suicidal Martin Riggs, we begin to see a less crazy side of him as he warms to his partnership with the older and more stoic Danny Glover Roger Murtaugh. No longer does Riggs need to be classified as the titular “lethal weapon”, as he concerns himself more with solving the case and getting revenge on L.A.’s murderers than with putting himself out of his misery. Continue reading
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