This year marks the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movies. With the release of the twenty-third film in the series Skyfall, this seems like a good time to revisit the real stars of the films, Bond’s legions of ‘girls’. (Although does anyone else hate that they’re referred to as girls?) Putting aside the grim sexual politics for the time-being, the Bond girls are perfect inspiration for glamorous vintage style – that is, when they’re not just running around in their bikinis. Here are a few of our favorite Bond girls:

Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger (1964).

With possibly the most ridiculous name in the whole franchise (which is saying something when Dr. Christmas Jones is knocking around in there), Pussy Galore, as played by the divine Honor Blackman, manages to rise above this inauspicious detail.

Her outfits play with menswear styles, camped up to suit the setting. Her purple wrap shirt and suede trousers are racy but wearable. No, I didn’t imagine ever typing those words but context is everything.

 

A trusty gold waistcoat works hard paired with a black, possibly velvet, suit. And really, who among us doesn’t have a trusty gold waistcoat, or old reliable as I like to call mine.

 

Jane Seymour as Solitaire in Live and Let Die (1973).

Before she was Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Jane Seymour was, to my knowledge, the only psychic Bond girl as Solitaire, the tarot card reader in Live and Let Die. In-keeping with her mystical bent, as well as the period in which it was filmed, Seymour’s costumes consisted of highly embellished maxi-dresses, ornate head-dresses and elaborate make-up.

Though full outfit images are hard to find, this picture of Solitaire in a high-necked, red velvet maxi encompasses everything that is amazing about these over-the-top confections.

 

Eva Green as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006).

Alas, the most recent Bond movies have dialed down the high-camp and frippery of their predecessors. On the plus side, this has resulted in slightly more developed female characters, hey, it’s only taken 50 years, as well as giving us some astonishingly beautiful gowns.

 

We have our own Bond girl in Carousel. The name’s Betty-Jean and here she is modelling some glamorous looks from Uttam, a new brand to Carousel and our favourite, Emily and Fin.

 

 

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