James Bond’s navy cashmere double-breasted—slightly short—chesterfield coat with a velvet collar in Live and Let Die is a has many fans. The classic piece made by Conduit Street tailor Cyril Castle was covered thoroughly in the blog Clothes on Film, so I will just direct you to the article there to read about it.
Underneath the chesterfield Bond wears a navy worsted flannel suit made by Cyril Castle. The suit coat wasn’t seen much in the movie, except the double vents can be seen when Roger Moore is swinging around on the fire escape in the Harlem alley. However, Roger Moore wears this suit in many promotional photos as well as in the gun barrel opening, which was also used for The Man with the Golden Gun.
The suit is cut the same as the tropical light grey suit that Bond wears in San Monique. The button-two jacket has a somewhat low button stance, medium-width lapels, soft shoulders, a full chest and a close fit in the chest and waist. It has deep double vents, flared link-button cuffs and straight pockets with flaps. The straight pockets are the only difference in the style of this suit from the grey suit in San Monique, which has Moore’s more typical slanted pockets from this period. The jacket has a classic and timeless English style, with hardly any detail that dates it to the 1970s.
The suit trousers have a darted front with three-button side adjusters, two rear pockets, two cash pockets in front under the waistband, no side pockets and slightly flared trouser legs. The flared trousers are the only aspect of this outfit that dates it to the early 1970s.
The shirt is pale blue poplin with a semi-spread collar, a hidden-button fly placket with one stitching line down the centre and two-button cocktail cuffs, made by Roger Moore’s long-time shirtmaker Frank Foster.
Roger Moore distances himself from the previous two Bonds by wearing a striped tie instead of a solid tie. The tie Moore wears with his navy suit has a navy ground with red and white stripes. This tie is a Royal Navy regimental tie from Benson & Clegg, appropriately worn here by the naval commander that James Bond is. The stripes go up from the wearer’s right hip to left shoulder. This is the traditional British direction for tie stripes. This direction harmonises well with the left-over-right buttoning of a man’s suit. Also, since the breast pocket is on the upper left (and ticket pockets are placed on the lower right) the British stripe direction follows that. I also believe that this direction subtly helps draw attention up toward the wearer’s face, since most people in the Western world read from left to right. The majority of James Bond’s striped ties throughout the series follow the traditional British direction.
Along with the chesterfield, Bond wears black leather gloves to keep warm. And the black gloves match his black tassel slip-ons. Roger Moore is a tall man at 6’1″, though he wears shoes with noticeably tall “Cuban” heels, which were trendy in the 1970s.
Haha! Ok, you win! 150 articles later and I'm going to have to make an amendment.
Still sure that trilby in Doctor No is green.
Merry Christmas, Matt.
Sorry for having to correct you Chris, but I just couldn't post a link to your article without having to point that out. But you did such a good job writing about the chesterfield that if I wrote something it would only be copying you. Happy Christmas to you too!
This is my most favourite James Bond suit! I can remember it as a child and thinking 'when I grow up I want that!'. Sean was the best but Rodger was the best dressed!!
What is the difference between a chesterfield and a regular overcoat.
A Chesterfield coat is dark (either plain or in a herringbone weave/pattern), has a velvet collar and is fitted through the waist. They typically have flapped pockets. A single-breasted Chesterfield has a fly front. The Chesterfield is a formal type of overcoat, which is a more general category.
A little late with a comment, I know, but I was suprised to see you refer to this as a Chesterfield coat. I would have thought this was a type of Paletot or unbelted Guards Coat.
Are there any significant differences that mean that the terminology Chesterfield is more accurate or is it that these terms are sufficiently loose that a coat might be properly called both?
The original paletot has semi-body coat construction (like a frock coat in back). This could qualify as a more modern paletot. If it doesn’t have a belt it’s not a guards coat. This is a Chesterfield—albeit a short one—because it is cut like a lounge coat and has a velvet collar.
Thank you. A far clearer explanation of the differences than I have ever seen elsewhere.
I’ve come to the conclusion that this is the most elegant and majestic of all Bond’s overcoats in all the movies. Coupled with the suit and the Royal Navy tie, the perfect sartorial introduction to Moore’s Bond.
This is my favourite Moore suit as Bond.
looking for 44 long winter coat
Interesting reading your comments about the UK vs. USA direction of tie stripes.
I have read that the UK direction (starting top left side and going down to the right hip as seen by the wearer) is a military tradition signifying “front the heart to the sword”. Not sure if this is true. Anyone heard this explanation?
Anyone know the brand of suitcase and briefcase he is carrying?
Yes, a very nice overcoat worn by Roger Moore as James Bond! I have always been a fan of this overcoat and it is a shame that it was not seen that much in the film. Also, I like the suit that is worn underneath this overcoat. It is to bad that this suit was not seen in the film without the overcoat. I know that there are ways of seeing this suit without the overcoat but I wish it was in the film. I think it would be interesting to note that this is the only time we see Roger Moore wear a solid navy suit as James Bond. I find it to be interesting that this is the only James Bond film wear Roger Moore is wearing side adjusters instead of a belt. It is these details that make it interesting to read about James Bond’s clothes and as always how great Roger Moore was as James Bond! I would say one of the best overcoat in the series! Great article as always Mr. Spaiser!
Is the suit jacket under the coat single breasted?
Yes, as I wrote the suit has a button-two jacket.