Would James Bond Wear a Dinner Jacket with Vents?

[blackbowtie]

I went to see Edwin DeBoise of Steed today to commission a dinner jacket. I pretty much had a firm idea to go for a traditional one - SB, peak lapel, midnight blue barathea, grosgrain facings, no vents - when Edwin threw a spanner (or a wrench, depending on which side of the Atlantic you're on) and asked if I would like vents. He also helpfully added that his dinner jacket has vents, to ensure better drape when he puts his hands in his pockets.

I have to be honest that this made me hesitate - should I stick to "tradition", or should I adopt what could actually be a practical "innovation"? As usual, when faced with such dilemmas about black tie, I applied the WWJBD formula: What Would James Bond Do?

And for the life of me, I can't remember if James Bond ever wore a dinner jacket with vents. Did he ever? More importantly, would he?

 

[voxsartoria]

Do not ask what James Bond would do, ask what blackbowtie would do.


- B

 

[Xiaogou]

Or WWVD. What Would Vox Do!!

 

[JibranK]

What would Foofy do?

 

[Bradford]

I'm fairly certain I recall Bond wearing a dinner jacket with vents. Although it may have been in one of the Roger Moore outings - A View to a Kill perhaps?

I don't know if this will have the answer but I always find it to be a good resource for Bond questions... http://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/

 

[davidmross]

Go with the side vents.

 

[rs232]

Brosnan's did. I say do it, because it looks sleeker throughout a full range of movement.

 

[tutee]

I am 99% positive Sean Connery wore it in one of the earlier bond movies. I wish I had some pics for you. Nevertheless, it is incorrect... if you care about such matters.

 

[stant62]

I would think the premise of a secret agent wearing a tux would require a vented jacket for the ease of movement.

 

[knittieguy]

If you are going to follow the WWJBD approach, then notched lapels are okay too.

Purists are always saying that it is a mortal sin to wear a notched lapel tuxedo, and then I see photos of James Bond, George Clooney, and others wearing them and looking pretty good. If only they knew what a grave faux pas they were committing, no doubt they would be mortified and ashamed.

 

[aKula]

He wears a dinner jacket with vents in Dr. No. In the scene he's introduced to the audience. Further details are: single breasted shawl collar with no waist covering. Turnback cuffs on the jacket. Pleated front shirt with turn down collar.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Originally Posted by aKula

He wears a dinner jacket with vents in Dr. No. In the scene he's introduced to the audience. Further details are: single breasted shawl collar with no waist covering. Turnback cuffs on the jacket. Pleated front shirt with turn down collar.

I was mortified to miss a re-showing of Dr No at my local Indie cinema last weekend!

Fortunately they will periodically show subsequent ones

 

[blackbowtie]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Do not ask what James Bond would do, ask what blackbowtie would do.


- B

But what if I want to be James Bond? Doesn't every guy want to be James Bond?

Originally Posted by knittieguy

If you are going to follow the WWJBD approach, then notched lapels are okay too.

Purists are always saying that it is a mortal sin to wear a notched lapel tuxedo, and then I see photos of James Bond, George Clooney, and others wearing them and looking pretty good. If only they knew what a grave faux pas they were committing, no doubt they would be mortified and ashamed.

George Clooney, at least, has been spotted wearing a pre-tied bowtie at the Academy Awards. While he may look good, he might not necessarily be a good sartorial standard. Though I have to confess that I'm aghast at seeing Bond in a notched lapel dinner jacket. Could this be an exception that proves the rule?

Originally Posted by stant62

I would think the premise of a secret agent wearing a tux would require a vented jacket for the ease of movement.

Good point. Especially if you want easy reach to the secret gadgets in your pockets

 

[bowtielover]

It tends to border on the classic side so I would say he would have a center vent.

 

[TheFoo]

I kind of wished I had ordered mine with vents, but they would have looked supremely wrong with the shawl lapels. Sitting down in a ventless jacket is a pain. Why not order side vents and have them closed up later if you don't like the look? You can go one way, but not the other.