If you’re feeling a little lost with your current style, then it can be helpful to step outside of yourself for a moment and take inspiration from somebody else. Everyone has lulls in their personal style, which could be caused by something as simple and transient as a pervasive trend that you don’t like, or something more permanent like a change in your own work circumstances that means you need to rethink elements of your wardrobe.
If you’ve lost touch with your own personal style, then a good source of inspiration is Bond Girls. These glamorous women represented the most beautiful ideals of the time, and with no less than 27 Bond films, there are plenty of style icons to choose from. We’re going to look at some of the ideas that stay relevant throughout each of the individual characters, so that you can feel as elegant and timeless as a Bond Girl whenever you open your wardrobe.
Try Some Method Acting
Perhaps the best way to feel like a Bond Girl is to try to be one for a moment. This doesn’t mean that you need to set yourself up with an international super spy and jet off into dangerous territories with him, but rather watch a couple of clips of your favourite character and imagine what it would be like to be her. For example, if Vesper Lynd from Casino Royale is your wardrobe inspiration, then take yourself off to a casino to play a round of poker with a martini in your hand, or play a couple of rounds at home on Joe Fortune instead. Feeling powerful as you bluff against the other players around the table might help you to get inside the head of Vesper Lynd, helping you to feel more confident when you take style tips from her wardrobe.
On the other hand, your inspiration might come from Honey Ryder, a shell diver from the Dr. No film. Whilst Honey Ryder might feel out of place at a casino, she’s in her element when in the water. Spend a day by the beach, or even the local pool, imagining how it might feel to be this brave woman. Once you’ve got inside the head of your chosen inspirational Bond Girl, it’s time to pick apart her wardrobe.
Splurge on Staples
Whilst trends change every season, there are some items that remain staples for years and years, even decades. These are the pieces that you can afford to splurge on. Many of the Bond Girls pair timeless staples with more trend-driven pieces to create memorable outfits that are very much of their time, but always stylish. Tatiana Romanova who is the Bond Girl in From Russia with Love is a great example. The main focal points of her outfit are always timeless pieces, her iconic powder blue cashmere jumper, paired with a smart pencil skirt could be an outfit that’s almost too simple to be memorable, but her oxblood leather shoes, dainty bracelet, and classic 60s siren curls elevate this look to something really special.
A great cashmere jumper is such a wardrobe essential, and though they can be pricey, the cost is worth it as you’ll be able to wear it time and time again. Perhaps your inspiration has a beautiful trench coat, a stunning little black dress, or a particularly pretty bikini. Whatever their timeless piece is, search around for something similar that you love and add it to your wardrobe. By buying these classic pieces every now and again, you’ll soon build up a wardrobe that you cannot wait to wear.
Thrift For Trends
Now that your wardrobe is beginning to fill up with classic pieces, it’s time to add some elements that bring your outfits to life. It would be pretty dull not to embrace the odd seasonal trend, whether that’s a pair of shoes that you know will only last you the spring and summer, or a statement piece of jewellery that will no doubt be out of fashion come winter. All the Bond Girls accessorized minimally, but with pieces that really made an impact.
Think about the key pieces in your closet and work out which pieces would help to bring them to life, then hit local thrift stores. A little black dress can look absolutely stunning with a set of pearl earrings, or a dainty beaded clutch bag. If you’re going for a more androgynous look like the incredible wardrobe of May Day then you might want to choose something more structured, like a metal choker, or a pair of thigh-high boots. Of course, you don’t need to be ruled by one Bond Girl only, there are so many different styles to take inspiration from and many key pieces can be mixed and matched. Overall, confidence is key and if you must step into a character to get your confidence started then nobody will ever have to know!
