Article by Daniel Gaster.
My most memorable moment came shortly after making the purchase.
Seen at the Skyfall Lodge at the end of Skyfall, Bond wears this Oxford round neck jumper with his Barbour “X to Ki To” Beacon Heritage Sports coat, AllSaints cords and the Crocket & Jones Islay boots at the last stand off with Silva.
The most famous
The jumper is a 1 ply Mongolian cashmere with a round neck opening and turnback cuffs. According to N. Peal:
“The most famous N. Peal sweater out there! – As worn by the character of James Bond in Skyfall – Extremely popular piece due to its 007 credentials – A luxurious sartorial staple – Perfect for all seasons – Sells out regularly, particularly in Blue Wave!”
It is also available in 24 other colours as of March 2021. I bought mine after getting all the items featured in Spectre. I had been so happy with these jumpers that 5 years after being seen in Skyfall I finally made the purchase.
Skyfall 2012 Images sourced: Thunderballs.Org
The details
I ordered mine in a small, as I had done previously with my Spectre jumpers (I’m a 40-inch chest and a 33-inch waist). It came in the standard light grey box with the magnetic closing and beautifully wrapped up.
Unlike the mock turtle-neck jumper, this is not a figure-hugging item, but it isn’t as big as the cable rollneck. It fits somewhere in between the two but it is still more of a layering piece, in my opinion.
Purchase Price: £249
Current Price: £269
Bond wears his with an AllSaints Henley underneath. I tend to wear it mostly with a t-shirt or sometimes with a shirt. Daniel Craig wears one (in imperial blue, one of the other 24 colours it’s available in) with a shirt and a tie at the launch event for Spectre.
Craig wearing an N.Peal Imperial Blue Round Neck Jumper at a press event for Spectre. Image sourced: Thunderballs.Org
For me it fits well, not too tight, the waist provides a comfortable fit with its slightly fitted banding. However, the arms are slightly on the small side, like I’ve previously mentioned with the Spectre items. Saying that, a medium for me I think would have been too large. But with the extra length of the turnback cuffs, I can get away with it. I just don’t turn them back as much.
Up until 18 months ago I would take my N. Peal cashmere to be dry cleaned. I now use the N. Peal products and hand wash them at home. I do this after I’ve worn it a few times, using the cashmere spray after each wear. I then put it away in its box with the cedar balls to stop the moths.
Purchase Date: October 2017
Memorable
I was wearing this with my Barbour Commander jacket in the Peak District for a weekend away with my girlfriend. As soon as we arrived, we went hiking around the countryside. We were heading towards Dovedale. As soon as we got there we wanted to eat, and I was trying to find a nice, secluded spot.
Out of my backpack I took out a picnic blanket, the lunch we had prepared and out of my jacket an engagement ring.
Sufficed to say we then opened a bottle of Bollinger that I had also been carrying in the backpack.
For all seasons
The jumper has a luxuriously soft feel to the touch, or when I’m wearing it with a t-shirt on my bare arms. It is extremely comfortable to wear. Like advertised it can be worn for all seasons. The colour, which is a lighter choice for Bond, works well for all of the seasons. I’ve worn mine in the summer on a cool night out, and in the winter under a jacket or overcoat.
It works well with casual or smart outfits; in the summer I’ve worn it with light coloured chinos or jeans. In the summer darker versions or smart trousers. With shoes, boots and white trainers as well.
One of the things I really like about this is its versatility. I can wear this Oxford round neck jumper at work, slightly dressed down, but still smart. I can wear it casually out with friends or on holiday with my wife. Obviously pre lockdown. I can wear this almost with anything that I own and at any time of the year and I think it would work.
Part of the collection
Since the release of the N. Peal “Cashmere Collection Inspired by 50 Years of Bond”, the jumper now resides here. When purchasing it now, you’ll receive it in a black 007 box, with the 007 wrapping and ribbon. The label sewn in the collar will also be black and with the 007 logo on it.
Even through part of the 007 collection now, it is still the same price as any of the other Oxford Round Neck Jumpers in any of the available colours. And it’s not gone up by too much in 4 years, just £20!
The customer service available is of the highest standard, so if you are looking to make a purchase, don’t be put off. They will help you out or advise you if you have questions.
Additional
Images Sourced: NPeal.Com
As part of the said collection, N. Peal have introduced a scarf as a homage to the TOM FORD (as I believe) one used that gets cut in half.
This brown and grey herringbone cashmere scarf has a hidden loop on the reverse, so that you just pull the other end through. No need to wrap it around, as there isn’t that long. Wonderfully simple, elegant and completes a winter look.
I bought this last year (with the No Time To Die military sweater), and it really is an elegant way to keep your neck warm. As well as using it with my Barbour Commander jacket, I have also worn it with my Billy Reid Peacoat and my Navy overcoat.
Credits
Be sure to check out more reviews by Daniel Gaster. All screencaps in this post are the copyright of their respective movie studio and are reproduced here under the Fair Use doctrine. Two photos of Daniel Craig sourced from thunderballs.org the unofficial James Bond picture archive.
