Haven’t you ever wished that you were able to bedazzle a grizzled, debonair spy master? (The British type anyway, not the double agents who were helping the Soviets.) Maybe being a Bond Girl isn’t as fun as it looks with all that shooting guns and running around exploding oil rigs. Those clothes were skimpy and and the sultry sidekick names were degrading, but I’m still fascinated by the image of a Bond Girl.
I’m not advocating a “Bridges of Madison County” love-affair with the next double agent who walks into your life. Just a few tips to make you feel as confident as a true Bond Girl wearing bling and plunging necklines as if your life depended upon it.
So join me for this occasional series on how even we moms can get inspired. I’ve been searching for swimsuits for the last two hours, so this idea is almost as time-consuming as my husband’s posts. But I’ve learned one thing, it’s not too early to start working out in January for the thought of even trying on a swimsuit in May. Ugh, is there anything more depressing? I’m at least motivated to go to the gym today.
MISSION ONE: DIAMONDS
BOND GIRL: Tiffany Case (played by actress Jill St. John, a.k.a. Jill Openheim) in the 1971 movie “Diamonds are Forever.” It was Bond film number 7.
I am fascinated to know Bond Girls’ fates after their screen time with J.B. St. John was a Bond Girl at age 30. She claims her I.Q. was 162. She wrote the “Jill St. John Cookbook” and was the in-house cooking expert on “Good Morning, America” for a stint. In 1997, St. John had a guest appearance on one of my all-time favorite Seinfeld episodes: “The Yada Yada.” According to Wikipedia, she dated Henry Kissinger, Frank Sinatra, and Sean Connery, who just happened to play James Bond in “Diamonds are Forever.” For her fourth marriage she tied the knot with Robert Wagner. Nancy Sinatra was her high school classmate.
Stay tuned for more Bond Girl style statements. Oh, here is the link for two young actresses slated for the next James Bond flick (only titled “Bond 22″ filming currently in London) starring a debonair Daniel Craig, more on him in future posts. Got your favorite Bond Girl? Leave me comments on what makes her killer. I’m looking for more than beauty, here.
Ready to dress to kill?
Here’s the inspiration — St. John’s “Tiffany Case” wearing this swimsuit from the “final evildoer’s lair explodes thanks to James scene.” This Mondrian-inspired look sports long sleeves and long rope ties.
Finding a long-sleeve swim top is impossible unless you want a diving suit. But Kenneth Cole Reaction two piece comes in orchid, red or enchanting emerald. You could buy the purple bow-tie bottoms ($31) and mix that with the red Ruched underwire top ($34) from Victoria’s Secret.
For full Bond flair, pair the suit with a red long-sleeve wrap top ($18) from e.K. Clothing, which specializes in Latin Dancewear. Based on the “Dancing with the Stars” shows, dancing must really work on tightening and slimming. Perhaps I should add dancing to my fitness routine.
Until then, I must opt for this more incognito look:
Every spy needs a good cover and so does my stomach. The perfect one: a tie-front jersey cover up from Portocruz. ($49 at Macy’s.) It comes in black, brown or white and hits at mid-thigh.
Finishing touches would include the Bare Escentuals Classic Rock: Flawless Diamond 9-piece color collection at Sephora. ($59) The sparkle comes from real diamond powder.
And if you want to go all out, try a little something from the real Tiffany & Company. Click here to see the Jean Schlumberger Lynn bracelet with diamonds in platinum for $17,500. Joe and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary in June and the modern gift suggestion is diamond jewelry, naturally. (Much better than the traditional gift idea of tin or aluminum.)
KIDS CORNER: Bratz dolls (similar to Barbie dolls but have much bigger heads, heavily painted make-up application and skimpier clothes than even Barbie would be seen dead in) have their take on glitz with a “Forever Diamondz” DVD that I actually enjoyed watching with my daughters. Sure I understand the flack about the sexiness of these characters but they do actually have some good traits like showing true friendship and teamwork while being confident in what they’re wearing. Yeah, they could grow up to be Bond Girls too.
- 007 -
Good post!
For me it’s always been a toss up between Ursula Andress in Dr. No and Daniela Bianchi in From Russia With Love. Andress was the first Bond Girl: she was strong-willed, independent, and was completely capable of defending herself. She was also gorgeous in both the tattered swimsuit (bonus points) and the Asian outfit Dr. No’s henchwomen forced her to wear.
As for Bianchi, she typifies the more delicate Bond girl. Beautiful with a sense of duty, she was forced to seduce Bond and he ended up turning the tables on her. Bonus points for her accent, her innocence, for her character being attractive to the always disgusting and would-have-been-an-out-of-the-closet-lesbian-if-the-film-were-made-now Rosa Klebb and for wearing nothing but a collar during the love scene (which was filmed by SPECTRE).
So, who to vote for…the blonde beauty who might kick your butt, or the delicate flower who needs a strong man?
Tough call, but I take Bianchi by an eyelash.
Fun to see some of your ideas — though in my book fEmpowerment: A Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Bond Girl, I actually advocate that being a Bond Girl is an “inside, out” thing. Bond girls really don’t actually wear much bling (and definitely no Brands — why detract from their awesome Bond girl selves!)
Have a great weekend!