Up Periscope: Check This Out
Sean Connery and Honor Blackman. 'Goldfinger' (1964)
During the latter part of 2021, Anthony Sinclair introduced a Special Order version of the three-piece Glen Plaid suit, famously worn by Sean Connery in the 1964 James Bond film, 'Goldfinger'. It was the first of a 60-piece collection, planned to be released item-by-item throughout 2022, designed to celebrate six decades of Bond style.
This particular ensemble is the most popular of all the designs created by Anthony Sinclair, and remains one of the most iconic suits in movie history. Connery's Bond was no stranger to Glen Plaid cloth, having worn the pattern in the previous two outings as 007; 'Dr No' (1962) and 'From Russia With Love' (1963). Two of the suits from these films have been selected to complete the 60-piece collection.
Sean Connery wearing tropical-weight Glen Plaid. 'Dr No' (1962)
In the first 007 movie, 'Dr No' (1962), Bond arrives for his assignment in Jamaica wearing a heavy, flannel suit, but quickly adapts his wardrobe to match the local climate, changing into a tropical-weight Glen Plaid for his meeting with the Chief Secretary of the colonial government, Pleydell-Smith.
The cloth chosen to reproduce the Glen Plaid suit from 'Dr No' is only 7.5oz (230gm) in weight. The plain, open weave, allows the fabric to breathe, making it the perfect cloth to wear during hot summer days.
Up periscope. Check out that suit. 'From Russia With Love' (1963)
Throughout Connery's career as 007, almost all of the tailoring produced for him by Anthony Sinclair employed understated colours and patterns, most often plains, semi-plains and subtle checks. Two of the suits that break from this tradition appear in the second Bond film, 'From Russia With Love' (1962). They are the Dark Grey Chalk Stripe Flannel Suit and the bold Glen Plaid featured in the above scene.
With its large scale pattern and strong colour contrast, this suit is undoubtedly the most striking of all those created by Sinclair for Connery's Bond. The outfit was sobered by a Blue Cocktail Cuff Shirt, Dark Navy Grenadine Tie and White Linen Pocket Square, and completes the Anthony Sinclair 60-piece collection of essential spy-wear.
Click here to view the collection.