He Wore Blue Velvet
In 1971, Sean Connery appeared in what was sadly his last outing as our favourite double-O agent who was always dressed to kill and gave birth to the Conduit Cut suit. This was of course in Diamonds Are Forever, whereby after many a plot twist, sparkling scenes and cases of mistaken identities, he eventually (or supposedly) despatches Ernst Stavro Blofeld in a pyrotechnic splendour.
"Diamonds Are Forever" was Connery's last official shot at the 007 role.
Despite it being his last hurrah, the costume director didn’t disappoint at any stage stylistically. Connery’s wares were perfect – beautifully cut jackets from exuberant fabrics, paired with trousers and accessories that did nothing but elevate his ensembles – time after time. But, it’s in his final scene in which we see him in something that’s particularly of note: a single-breasted, shawl-lapel, midnight-navy velvet jacket made by Anthony Sinclair.
With Jill St. John who plays the female lead as Tiffany Case.
50 years later, it’s still a classic and perennial look and for that reason, we’ve recreated it and now offer it as a made-to-order piece of tailoring to line up against other Bond classics such as the Glen Plaid Goldfinger Suit.
Anthony Sinclair transforming Sean Connery into 007.
This final ensemble we see Connery in is actually the third evening-wear look of the film. First, we see him in an ecru dinner jacket in a casino in Las Vegas. Later, he’s in traditional black-tie and just before ‘popping upstairs for a moment’ (aka scaling the outside of the Whyte-House casino-cum-hotel) he plucks a red rose from a vase and nonchalantly places it in the lapel of his jacket (we recommend the latter, not the former). While the final scene, which is a private and celebratory dinner on the upper-decking of a cruise ship with his conquest, Tiffany Case, Connery’s style is still razor-sharp and a little bit daring. It’s a succinct summary of himself, you could say.
"For such a grand meal, I'd expect a claret."
For clarity, the jacket he wears in this scene shouldn’t be confused with a smoking jacket, as it doesn’t feature the signature tells of silk grosgrain-faced lapels. It’s simply a velvet jacket that’s immensely versatile, straddles the line between formal and casual, and therefore should act as a foundational staple of your wardrobe. It’s easily passable for black-tie events that have some leniency in the rules – whereas if you’re dining with Her Majesty, we encourage you to abide word-for-word with the dress code – but can be worn at informal dinners at home and cocktail parties that require some stylistic decorum.
Bond's romantic and private dinner is interrupted by Mr. Wint.
To complement the midnight blue velvet jacket, which has slanted flap pockets, one velvet-faced button to close and four matching buttons on the cuffs, and mimic in some ways its more casual nature, Connery wears a pale blue Cocktail Cuff Shirt.
The Anthony Sinclair Midnight Blue Velvet Jacket
Anthony Sinclair tailoring is made to order, allowing customers to specify style details to suit their personal taste. Therefore, if you would prefer to have your velvet jacket double-breasted with a peak lapel, cut from a different shade of velvet, we would be happy to oblige.
Daniel Craig at the premier of No Time To Die (2021)