Tagged: Plaid Suit

John Shelby’s Glen Plaid Suit for Peaky Blinders’ Gypsy Wedding

Joe Cole as John Shelby on Peaky Blinders (Ep. 1.04, 2013).

Joe Cole as John Shelby on Peaky Blinders (Ep. 1.04, 2013).

Vitals

Joe Cole as John Shelby, impulsive Peaky Blinder gang member

Birmingham, England, September 1919

Series: Peaky Blinders
Episode: Episodes 1.04
Air Date: October 3, 2013
Director: Tom Harper
Creator: Steven Knight
Costume Designer: Stephanie Collie

Background

Week of Weddings continues with a look from BBC Two’s Peaky Blinders. In the fourth episode, the Shelby brothers gather the Peaky Blinders for what ostensibly seems like an attack on the rival gypsy Lee family. John, the hotheaded younger brother of gang leaders Tommy and Arthur, has recently come to his family requesting their blessing to marry the neighborhood’s most prolific prostitute. The Lees, on the other side of town, have a girl that’s “gone a bit wild”. Tommy sees the opportunity here to end things without blood. (Not including the blood symbolically drawn from each new spouse’s hand.)

On the morning of the big showdown, John shows up especially itching for a fight… until Tommy pins a boutonniere on John’s left lapel and directs him to his new wife Esme. Continue reading

Sidney Reilly’s Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit

Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly on Reilly: Ace of Spies, Episode 10: "The Trust".

Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly on Reilly: Ace of Spies, Episode 10: “The Trust”.

Vitals

Sam Neill as Sidney Reilly, Russian-born British Secret Service agent and anti-Bolshevik

New York City to Berlin, Fall 1924

Series: Reilly: Ace of Spies
Episode: “The Trust” (Episode 10)
Air Date: November 2, 1983
Director: Martin Campbell
Costume Designer: Elizabeth Waller

Background

Ninety years ago today, Sidney Reilly was executed in a forest outside Moscow by a Soviet firing squad overseen by OGPU officer Grigory Feduleev. Reilly had been earlier tried to death in absentia after a failed coup of the Bolshevik government in 1918. Seven years later, he was lured back into the Soviet Union by undercover OGPU agents who had formed The Trust, ostensibly a secret organization raising funds to remove the Bolsheviks from power. Reilly was arrested as soon as he had crossed the Finnish border in late September 1925. Although he would be questioned for more than a month before his execution on November 5, the Soviets almost immediately issued a statement that he had been killed during a border skirmish. Continue reading

The Wolf of Wall Street: Glen Plaid Suit in London

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).

Vitals

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, swaggering stockbroker

London, Summer 1995*

* In reality, this was August 1993. All you really need to know is that it’s the summer.

Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Tailor: Leonard Logsdail

Background

You all heard (or read) me bitching about how poorly pink was incorporated into Sean Connery’s cream linen suit in Diamonds are Forever, so now let’s see a more subtle way that a gent can wear that most tender of colors.

After illegally making $22 million in three hours thanks to the Steve Madden IPO, boastful stock magnate Jordan Belfort heads for Europe to hide his ill-gotten gains in a Swiss bank account. An unexpected hiccup pops up when Jordy needs a European citizen’s name for the account. Luckily for our protagonist, his wife has a classy English aunt (played by the super awesome Joanna Lumley) that’s willing to help out. Continue reading

From Russia With Love – Bond’s Istanbul Suits, Pt. 4: Glen Plaid

Sean Connery behind the scenes during his second outing as James Bond, From Russia With Love, in 1963.

Sean Connery behind the scenes in Turkey during his second outing as James Bond, From Russia With Love, in 1963.

Vitals

Sean Connery as James Bond, British government agent and legendary super spy

Turkey, Spring 1963

Film: From Russia With Love
Release Date: October 10, 1963
Director: Terence Young
Costume Designer: Jocelyn Rickards
Tailor: Anthony Sinclair

Background

For the 007th of the 7th month of the year, BAMF Style is focusing on James Bond’s 7th suit worn in From Russia With Love, a black and gray Glen plaid check suit. Bond had worn a different Glen Urquhart suit earlier in the film when visiting Kerim Bey in his office, but this suit can be differentiated by details in the tailoring.

At this point in the story, Bond has finally “met” Tatiana Romanova, the enigmatic bait in SPECTRE’s plan to ruin him and smear the British Secret Service. Bond is quite certain that he has Tania right where he wants her, but his charismatic MI6 contact Kerim Bey seems sure of the opposite… Continue reading

Chalky White’s Cream Plaid Suit on Boardwalk Empire

Michael K. Williams as

Michael K. Williams as “Chalky” White on Boardwalk Empire (“Two Imposters”, Episode 3.11).

Vitals

Michael Kenneth Williams as Albert “Chalky” White, notorious bootlegger

Atlantic City, Spring 1923

Series: Boardwalk Empire
Episodes:
 “The Milkmaid’s Lot” (Episode 3.09, aired November 11, 2012, dir. Ed Bianchi)
“Two Imposters” (Episode 3.11, aired November 25, 2012, dir. Allen Coulter)
“Margate Sands” (Episode 3.12, aired December 2, 2012, dir. Tim Van Patten)
Creator: Terence Winter
Costume Designer: John A. Dunn
Tailor: Martin Greenfield

Background

Most people – myself included – don’t approach summer with the attitude of, “Oh, good, it’s three-piece suit season!” However, most people are not badass gangsters community leaders like “Chalky” White on Boardwalk Empire. Continue reading

Nucky Thompson’s Glen Plaid Easter Suit

Steve Buscemi as Enoch

Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson in “Sunday Best”, Episode 3.07 of Boardwalk Empire.

Vitals

Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, political boss and bootlegger

Atlantic City, April 1923

Series: Boardwalk Empire
Episodes:
– “Sunday Best” (Episode 3.07, aired October 28, 2012, dir. Allen Coulter)
– “The Milkmaid’s Lot” (Episode 3.09, aired November 11, 2012, dir. Ed Bianchi)
Creator: Terence Winter
Costume Designer: John A. Dunn
Tailor: Martin Greenfield

Background

Many modern men view Easter as a lesser version of Thanksgiving (not as much food) or Christmas (no presents) that requires a colorful button-down and slacks for a few begrudging hours with family. Since 65% of the world celebrates Easter, it’s safe to assume that many of you will be trudging between in-laws houses and watching the kids hunt for eggs or shovel chocolate into their mouths… you’ll probably be eating your share of chocolate also.

While he looks forward to the holiday with as little enthusiasm as most non-religious adult males do, Boardwalk Empire‘s sharply dressed lead uses the day to inject some spring color into his wardrobe. Continue reading

Skyfall – Bond’s Glen Plaid Suit in London

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall (2012).

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Skyfall (2012).

Vitals

Daniel Craig as James Bond, recently re-instated British secret agent

London, Spring 2012

Film: Skyfall
Release Date: November 9, 2012
Director: Sam Mendes
Costume Designer: Jany Temime

Background

For the last 007th of the month, I broke down the first Glen check suit worn by Sean Connery in From Russia With Love. Almost fifty years later, Skyfall‘s costume designer Jany Temime worked with clothier Tom Ford to create an updated look for Daniel Craig’s James Bond. Continue reading

Sonny Corleone’s Tollbooth Lincoln

James Caan being fitted for his death suit as "Sonny" Corleone in The Godfather.

James Caan being fitted for his death suit as “Sonny” Corleone in The Godfather (1972)

Vitals

James Caan as Santino “Sonny” Corleone, hot-headed Mafia boss (well… acting boss)

Long Island, NY, Fall 1948

Film: The Godfather
Release Date: March 15, 1972
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Costume Designer: Anna Hill Johnstone

WARNING! Spoilers ahead… (and to the right!)

Background

Yesterday, we examined an Aston Martin that was totally demolished by its use in the film. Here, we’re seeing another car put out of commission. Unfortunately, its owner meets the same fate. Continue reading

From Russia With Love – Bond’s Istanbul Suits, Pt. 2: Glen Urquhart

Sean Connery as James Bond in From Russia With Love.

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

By this point in the film, Bond has spent one relatively non-eventful day and night in Istanbul. After a long day of traveling, he upgraded his room to the bridal suite (bad move, as we’ll eventually find out) and ostensibly got a fulfilling night of rest, even without a woman beside him.

The next morning, he wakes up and dons the second of the five excellent gray-tone suits he packed for Istanbul. When I first saw the film, likely on a low-quality VHS tape, I thought he wore two gray suits in Turkey – a light gray and a dark gray. Eventually, as I noticed the differing details and finally picked up the Blu-Ray (which you people have to thank for some of the more hi-res screencaps here), I noticed that these “two gray suits” were actually five very different suits. He even wears two different Glen Urquhart check suits!

The first of his Glen Urquhart check suits is worn here in a very minimalist fashion. A few days later, he pulls out his second one, which he outfits with several accessories. Continue reading

Steve McQueen’s Gray Plaid Suit as Thomas Crown

Steve McQueen as Thomas Crown in 1968's The Thomas Crown Affair

Steve McQueen as Thomas Crown in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

Last Friday would have been Steve McQueen’s 83rd birthday. To celebrate Steve and honor an early request from a BAMF Style follower…

Vitals

Steve McQueen as Thomas Crown, millionaire criminal mastermind

Boston, June 1968

Film: The Thomas Crown Affair
Release Date: June 19, 1968
Director: Norman Jewison
Costume Designer: Alan Levine
Tailor: Douglas Hayward

Background

Steve McQueen was racking up several iconic tough guy looks by 1968, with both The Great Escape and Bullitt under his belt. Now, as millionaire playboy Thomas Crown, he would be playing more of a romantic lead and would need the wardrobe to match. Continue reading