RSS Feed

Related Articles

Related Categories

Bond on a budget: £198 is the true cost of 007 secret-agent style

18th October 2012 Print
Bond on a budget

The secret of how to dress just like James Bond – but on a budget – has just been revealed for the first time by high street store Debenhams.

An outfit which looks identical to one worn by the on-screen hero, but at a fraction of the cost, has been identified by its in house fashion experts and is available to buy in stores and on Debenhams.com.

It means that every would-be action man can now look the part for a grand total of just £198 – a saving of £4,682.

Bond is frequently seen in films wearing a wide selection of designer shirts, suits, shoes and watches.

Matching his wardrobe precisely would cost almost £5,000 for just one outfit alone, say Debenhams’ team of personal shoppers, leaving most customers both shaken and stirred.

But the same look can be had for over one twentieth of the price, by choosing garments which look exactly the same by for a lot less cash which is refreshing news for Bond fans who want to replicate the special agents’ designer style.

Said Debenhams spokesman Paul Baldwin: “Dressing to kill shouldn’t mean you die another day when the credit card bill arrives,”

“When a man is doing his best to save the world, no one looks at the name on the label of his suit.

“ Choosing well made, cheaper alternatives will enable our customers to imitate Bond’s dashing style – without the expense account.”

But it seems it’s not enough to look like Bond – men want to smell like him too. The James bond 007 fragrance is tipped to be one of Debenhams’ best selling fragrances of the year, with over 3,000 bottles selling in 1.5 weeks.

Coming to the aid of Bond wannabes all over the UK, Debenhams has launched a new tuxedo consultation service; male customers are now being offered tuxedo style advice for Christmas by trained personal shopping staff.

Debenhams recommendations for a Budget Bond are:

Debenhams Bond on a Budget

Red Herring shirt £18
Red Herring suit £48
Debenhams Black Tie Collection Bow Tie £5
Jeff Banks shoes £64
Jasper Conran socks £8
Mantaray watch £30
007 fragrance 50ml £25

Total: £198

Real Bond (approximate costs)

Designer shirt £200
Designer Suit £2,000
Designer bow tie £200
Designer shoes £290
Designer socks £50
Omega watch £2,090
Designer fragrance £50

Total: £4,880

The tuxedo was first worn amongst the British upper and middle classes in the 1860s and came into fashion as a welcome alternative to formal evening coats with tails which were previously worn.

The first Bond to wear a tuxedo was Sean Connery in ‘Dr.No’ in 1962, and since then the outfit has become synonymous with the international man of mystery.

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

Bond on a budget Bond on a budget Bond on a budget