In Live and Let Die‘s climax, Roger Moore channels Steve McQueen in Bullitt with his black polo neck—also known as a turtleneck—and shoulder holster. We typically don’t see Bond’s shoulder holster since it’s hidden under his suit, and when he’s not wearing a jacket he typically doesn’t wear a shoulder holster. But here it’s a larger holster than usual to hold a larger gun.
The polo neck and trousers are black, which isn’t the best type of camouflage for night in the jungle. The polo neck is a lightweight knit jumper, likely in a blend of cashmere and silk, with a polo neck collar and long ribbed cuffs for greater ease in rolling up. The trousers are Moore’s typical flared trousers, and he wears them with a wide, Western-style embossed black belt with a large brass centre-bar buckle.
The shoes are black suede oxford trainers with tan rubber soles and black edging. He wears them with very thin black socks.
The epitome of effortless cool
I always loved this outfit – it made Moore look youthful and athletic in spite of being already in his mid-forties.
Isn’t this a “turtleneck” type of collar? Or does a “polo” type collar also describe a rollover type , as well?
“Polo neck” is the same thing as a “turtleneck.” A “polo collar” is what you find on a polo shirt, or could also refer to a button-down collar.
Big gun? You have that right. It’s a Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum — coincidentally, the same revolver from “Dirty Harry” two years previous but with a nickel finish instead of blued. I’m not sure why they chose to arm Bond with this pistol instead of his usual PPK.
I think the reasons were two-fold for arming Bond with the .44 magnum. First, in the novel Doctor No, Bond is given a S&W .38 special revolver for heavy/long range work. Fleming reputedly actually mixed up his notes on this one as Major Boothroyd (the real one) had suggested that revolver for concealed carry and a .357 magnum for heavy duty. But it is perhaps a nod to this dichotomy. Also, since Bond stopped being a trendsetter around 1967, Bond has shifted with the times and the .44 magnum is no doubt an acknowledgement of the commercial success and cultural milestone of Dirty Harry.
It is also a little more realistic to have Bond go into an anticipated combat scenario with something heavier than the PPK, though why he doesn’t have a reload is beyond me.
I thought it was more of a ’70s thing (lots of revolvers in action movies from that time) rather than any nod to Dirty Harry or the Fleming novels.
You’re right, it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever why he didn’t prepare with a couple of extra speedloaders.
Completely agree with James and Dan.
Black is always the most flattering colour, whatever your figure.
Except if you are very slim. But certainly, none of the 007 actors were.
Any very dark colour is equally flattering to the figure, but black isn’t the most flattering to everyone’s skin tone. It’s not so good for Moore’s warm skin tone.
Sorry, I meant flattering to the body.
Nice and sober outfit, even if the idea of flared trousers in the jungle make me smile a little. I just think it would have been even better without any belt. By the way, Matt, doesn’t the jumper’s color look like it’s midnight blue in the second picture ?
It does a bit, but I think it’s still black.
A classic.
However, I always thought, from any still’s and photos I’d seen with this outfit over the years that it was a lightweight merino wool, rather than cotton? Although cotton would certainly be more suitable for it’s setting. (Mind you with Pinewood doubling for San Monique I’m sure the temperature was a lot lower where filmed than the location it was supposed to depict.)