The James Bond Suit: A Storied History

Every iteration of 007 has become a menswear icon thanks in part to exquisite tailoring. Let’s dive into what makes James Bond suits so special.

I remember first seeing Casino Royale and feeling a sense of worry in the pit of my stomach. It’s not that it wasn’t good. In fact, I believe it to be one of the top five best James Bond films of all time. 

Still, why was he driving a Ford? And how’d we get so far into the movie without seeing a proper James Bond suit? Why does he suddenly not “give a damn” if his martini is stirred? Was the “eat the rich” movement forcing Hollywood to ground his aspirationalism down to earth?

As the film progresses, we learn that it’s an origin story. He eventually becomes that fantasy archetype, thank goodness. He’ll drive Aston Martins. He’ll jump off buildings and get into violent fistfights without ripping a seam on his restrictively tailored suit.

Who cares that the Daniel Craig era of tailoring gets trimmer with each film, and yet his gun holster doesn’t print on his Tom Ford jacket? I certainly don’t.

From being a visual shorthand to symbols of character evolution, James Bond suits are the most narratively important part of his wardrobe.

James Bond Suit Style

Thanks to his suit and the impeccable way Sean Connery carries himself, you have an exact idea of who James Bond is as soon as he’s introduced.

Photo by sainaniritu / Depositphotos.com

So, we’ll start with Sir Connery’s suits and make our way through from there.

Sean Connery: The Immortal Introduction and Sartorial Consistency

Sean Connery’s Bond famously wore suits made by Anthony Sinclair, a tailor on London’s Conduit Street. The inaugural 007 wore shirts from Turnbull & Asser, Lanvin, and Frank Foster.

Bond Tailoring Makes its Debut

The iconic introduction scene in Dr. No is one of the most effectively curated scenes in cinema. Everything, from the glitzy background to the fact Bond negs Sylvia Trench by prioritizing lighting his cigarette before telling her his name (without eye contact), speaks volumes.

And the element that brings it all together is his midnight blue dinner jacket with a shawl collar. He’s also wearing a thin, pointed bowtie and silk gauntlet cuffs. It’s a classic but distinct look, then and now.