Talking trousers - James Bond fashion
The air is once again filled with the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire and the pinging of bra straps. On Friday, James Bond is back for his 22nd cinematic outing in Quantum of Solace (still canât get used to that dud title). In the countless column inches devoted to Daniel Craig and those trunks in his first go as 007 two years ago, much was made of the dawn of Man as Sex Object. What commentators failed to see is that plenty of men cling to a different era â best defined by one of Craigâs antecedents, Sean Connery. So, which Bond are you? Do you want to hide your body or show it off? Do you fell your opponent with a stagy punch or get him on the floor so you can really kick him in the ribs? Do you dispense with your lovers like chewing gum or prefer them to hug you in the shower while you cry? The formers mean youâre a slick Sean; the latters a deadly Daniel - reports
The Times.
These days, Bond is laboriously merchandised (he âofficiallyâ wears Tom Ford suits and Omega watches), so itâs pretty easy to procure either look if you have a lot of cash. Yet Britainâs most dangerous weapon now faces a spectre more terrifying than the usual camp villain â recession. Below are six ways to achieve Bondness on a budget, along with a rundown of the best (and some less worthy) 007 products on the market. Just donât skimp on the martinis. Cheap liquor is the pits.
Slick Sean
Dinner jacket If you lose all your cash playing vingt-et-un, youâll still look the biz in this credit-crunch-friendly tux from Burton (jacket, £90, shirt, £25, and bow tie, £6). Connery, the thrifty Scot, would be proud.
Cuff links Complement your DJ with a natty pair from Marks & Spencer (£29.50). Great value, even if they donât shoot poison darts.
Shoes Flemingâs original Bond wore dress shoes, but some classics need updating. Compromise with a pair of patent Oxfords from Office (£60).
Deadly Daniel
Body tee If youâre in good nick, there is nothing as debonair as a well-cut T-shirt (£6, from Topman). Itâs more practical than a tweed three-piece if youâre planning to duff up some terrorists.
Watch Itâs fiction that Bond canât get a good watch for less than £500. The Toy Watch is cool, quirky and cost-effective (£135, from Browns).
Weights Itâs not just clothes that maketh the man: you need minimal gut and maximum chest, too. Chrome dumbbells (and several hundred hours) will give you guns like Craigâs (£43, from Argos).
The girls
Bond Girls Are Forever is still the definitive tome on Jamesâs ladies, not least because itâs co-written by one â Maryam dâAbo (The Living Daylights). Perfect posh porn for your coffee table (Boxtree £25).
The Looks
I went along to The Refinery to try one of its new 007-themed packages. After hours of scrubs, pedicures and eyebrow shaping, I felt more Roger Moore than licensed to kill. Then two ladies massaged me in stereo. Ouch! Yet strangely satisfying. From £175; 020 7409 2001
The Mood
Tocca is peddling a Bond-themed scented candle. Does anybody feel a pressing need to make their sitting room smell like 007âs? Didnât think so. £30, from Harrods
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