
Photo credit: @007 on Instagram
The James Bond franchise has maintained its status as a cinematic icon for over six decades, captivating audiences worldwide with thrilling espionage, glamorous locations, and sharp suits.
Starting with Dr. No in 1962, the series found immediate success, resonating with viewers in the UK and across Europe. Dr. No grossed nearly five times its budget in France, and Goldfinger sold over six million tickets. Bond’s popularity in West Germany even led to re-releases of older films. In turn, the success of the Bond series sparked a wave of spy films across Europe. Between 1964 and 1968, nearly 300 spy movies were produced in France, Italy, Spain, and West Germany.
While numerous spy films have tried to capture the same magic, one area that has been difficult to replicate is Bond’s impeccable wardrobe. In the words of No Time to Die costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Bond’s attire is the “holy grail of design.” From the tailored suits to the villains’ distinct looks, the franchise’s costume design is a character in itself. Here are four surprising facts about James Bond’s fashion that you might not know.
Sean Connery was the blueprint for Bond’s style

Photo Credit: @007 on Instagram
As the first actor to bring Bond to life on the silver screen, Sean Connery set the gold standard for the character’s style. Known for his rugged good looks and effortless charm, Connery embodied a coolness that became synonymous with Bond. His laid-back yet sophisticated approach to fashion allowed him to always wear his clothes with confidence, never letting the outfits overshadow his personality.
His turn in Bond’s iconic tuxedo solidified his place in the style Hall of Fame. Immaculately tailored and paired with a hand-tied bow tie, Connery’s tuxedo became a symbol of elegance. His ability to balance the demands of a formal dress code while making it appear completely natural was key to the lasting legacy of Bond’s style. Connery’s personal style helped lay the foundation for how future actors would approach dressing as Bond, and it’s no surprise that the tuxedo remains a staple in every Bond film.
James Bond holds a world record for his expensive wardrobe
Given Bond’s reputation for looking sharp, it’s not surprising that he holds the Guinness World Record for being the most expensively dressed movie character of all time. In Spectre, Bond’s wardrobe reached a staggering retail value of over £39,000. With designers like Anthony Sinclair, Doug Hayward, Brioni, and Tom Ford contributing to Bond’s style over the years, each outfit is a masterpiece in itself.
Some of the items that contributed to this record include more than four bespoke Tom Ford suits, each costing between £2,650 and £3,399, as well as a Matchless Craig Blouson suede jacket worth £869. Bond’s iconic Omega Seamaster 300 watch, valued at £4,785, is another notable piece. When you consider that the median income in the UK in 2023 was just under £35,000, it’s clear that Bond’s wardrobe is not for the faint of heart—or wallet.
Le Chiffre’s bleeding eye is a combination of special and practical effects
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One of the most memorable villains in Bond history, Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen in Casino Royale, is distinguished by a medical condition that causes him to weep blood from his left eye. His different-coloured eyes and the haunting visual of blood seeping from his tear ducts add to his sinister persona.
To achieve this look, Mikkelsen wore coloured contact lenses. Coloured contacts let you alter the appearance of your natural eye colour, either with a subtle enhancement or something more dramatic. In Mikkelsen’s case, the contacts realistically masked his naturally brown eyes. Meanwhile, special effects artist Lee Adams created the bleeding eye effect using practical techniques. This combination of coloured contacts and special effects made Le Chiffre one of Bond’s most visually striking villains, leaving an indelible mark on audiences.
Blofeld wore hand-painted contacts in No Time to Die
Another iconic Bond villain, Blofeld, portrayed by Christoph Waltz, also utilised special contact lenses for his role in No Time to Die. In this instalment, Blofeld has a prosthetic ocular implant that allows him to record and broadcast audio and video to lead SPECTRE. Waltz wore large scleral contact lenses to replicate the look of this bionic eye.
The lenses, hand-painted by artist Cristina Patterson, were not just for show. They became the inspiration for a prop bionic eye used in the film, which later raised £41,000 for charity. Over the years, advancements in contact lens technology have made these costume pieces more comfortable for actors, a far cry from the hard scleral shells used in earlier decades.