Tagged: Charcoal Suit
Bond in Brioni – The GoldenEye Charcoal Windowpane 3-Piece Suit
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in GoldenEye (1995).
Vitals
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, sophisticated British secret agent
London, England to St. Petersburg, Russia, April 1995
Film: GoldenEye
Release Date: November 13, 1995
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Lindy Hemming
Background
Obviously, I’ve been watching GoldenEye lately. For what many Bond fans – including myself – consider the finest of the Pierce Brosnan era, GoldenEye marked a re-emphasis on style after the grittier Dalton films. Continue reading
Sidney Reilly’s Edwardian Charcoal Striped Suit
Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly in the first episode of Reilly: Ace of Spies.
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Sam Neill as Sigmund Rosenblum, later renamed “Sidney Reilly” upon his entry into the British Secret Service
London, Spring 1901
Series: Reilly: Ace of Spies
Episode: “An Affair with a Married Woman” (Episode 1)
Air Date: September 5, 1983
Director: Jim Goddard
Costume Designer: Elizabeth Waller
Background
The first episode of Reilly: Ace of Spies, “An Affair With A Married Woman”, is a crash course on the early life and origins of the legend of Sidney Reilly. I say “legend” because he was a notorious embellisher (liar) and the details of his life are murky at best. We slowly learn more throughout the episodes, but this extra-length opening episode establishes the series’ world where Reilly – née Rosenblum – was a trusted agent of the British Secret Service in 1901, eight years before it was actually founded! While on a mission in Baku, he met the young wife of an elderly and uptight minister and seduced her to escape captivity. Thus, “An Affair With A Married Woman”. Continue reading
Patrick Bateman’s Charcoal Pinstripe Double-Breasted Suit
Christian Bale as Huey Lewis fan Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000).
Vitals
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, bored investment banker and possible serial killer
New York City, December 1987
Film: American Psycho
Release Date: April 14, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Costume Designer: Isis Mussenden
Background
“Aw man, I loved this blog until you called a serial killer a BAMF!”
Sorry, guys, but…
- It’s Halloween.
- There’s no denying that Bateman had style.
- Some people think his killings were all just in his mind anyway. Continue reading
From Russia With Love – Bond’s Istanbul Suits, Pt. 1: Dupioni Silk
Happy 007th of October. If any of you plan on being 007 for Halloween, start scanning the blog and getting ideas for your tailor! (Or get lucky at the local Goodwill…)
Sean Connery as James Bond in From Russia With Love (1963).
Vitals
Sean Connery as James Bond, British government agent and legendary super spy
Istanbul, Turkey, Spring 1963
Film: From Russia With Love
Release Date: October 10, 1963
Director: Terence Young
Costume Designer: Jocelyn Rickards
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair
Background
Shortly after he began his term in the Oval Office, JFK named Ian Fleming’s spy novel From Russia, With Love among his ten favorite books of all time. Looking for their follow up to the incredibly successful Dr. No, Bond producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman saw this opportunity and quickly green-lit From Russia With Love (no comma this time) as the next on-screen adaptation of Bond’s adventures and what might have been a successful, if relatively forgotten, spy film of the early 1960s turned into one of the most long-running franchises of all time. Continue reading
Valentine’s Day, Mad Men Style
Jon Hamm as Don Draper during the second season premiere of Mad Men.
Vitals
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Madison Avenue ad man
New York City, February 1962
Series: Mad Men
Episode: “For Those Who Think Young” (Episode 2.01)
Air Date: July 27, 2008
Director: Tim Hunter
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant
Background
In “For Those Who Think Young”, the second season premiere of Mad Men, Don Draper teaches us that Valentine’s Day plans don’t have to be elaborate to be romantic. Of course, you kinda need to follow through. Continue reading
Suiting Up for Sinatra’s Birthday (Ocean’s 11)
Today in 1915, the world welcomed the birth of Francis Albert Sinatra. To commemorate what would have been Frank’s 97th birthday, here is another focus on the original Ocean’s Eleven.
Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean in Ocean’s Eleven (1960)
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Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean, smooth-talking con man and casino heister
Las Vegas, New Year’s 1960
Film: Ocean’s Eleven
Release Date: August 10, 1960
Director: Lewis Milestone
Costume Designer: Howard Shoup
Tailor: Sy Devore
Background
Although not as technologically savvy (and sometimes quite cornier) than its 2001 remake, the original Ocean’s Eleven is a classic piece of nostalgia that transports viewers back to the good old days of guys in good suits drunkenly enjoying themselves in Vegas while blowing through countless broads, dames, and cigarettes.
The plot is basic: a team of eleven guys will rob five casinos on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. We already covered Sinatra’s gray specked sport coat during the planning phase. During the actual execution, Sinatra dresses a little sleeker, with a sharp dark suit and silk tie. Continue reading