Simply submit a picture or two on the associated thread of you in Bond clothes, in a Bond situation or living the Bond lifestyle.

Why should you do this?

For the prizes of course!  Companies that support the Bond lifestyle have donated some wonderful prizes that will certainly enhance anyone’s collection. A small panel of judges will be judging your pictures throughout the contest.

If you want to increase your likelihood of winning simply combine as many components into the pictures themselves. For example you in a Sunspel shirt is good but you in a Sunspel shirt by an Aston Martin is better!

As an example see our very own Quartermaster The Mantis:

By the way, there are NO extra points for showing expensive clothing and accessories so an outfit from Walmart has as much a chance of winning as a Tom Ford suit…it’s all about capturing the moment and emotion of Bond…be creative!

The contest starts TODAY and will continue through to the end of August so you have plenty of time to get yourself into all types of “situations” that might make a great photo entry or two.

Enter now on Absolutely James Bond…

So what can I win?!

Absolutely James Bond and The Zaritsky Archive are offering some amazing prizes for the aspiring James Bond, some which are coming direct from the The Zaritsky Archive!

1. First prize: Fernando Guillén Cuervo’s screen used shirt from Quantum of Solace. Fernado was the Colonel of Police that betrays Mathis and Bond.
2. Second Prize: James Bond wardrobe from Sunspel including a special boxed set of James Bond clothes.
3. Third Prize: James Bond Prop set including a The World Is Not Enough Talkabout, a You Only Live Twice piranha, a diamond and Marching Band Tape from Diamonds Are Forever and a ballast ball from For Your Eyes Only.
4. Fourth Prize: A Mixer recipe book from Smirnoff, Heineken Bond bottle opener, and a set of Cartumundi Cards.

I think you will agree some amazing prizes and well worth having a go! So what are you waiting for agent 007…

How do I enter?

It’s simple, photograph yourself (or have someone do it for you) looking like James Bond. Upload the photo to the James Bond Lifestyle Competition topic. You may post up to two photos of yourself, any further photos will be removed.

When posting on Absolutely James Bond you will see a new option underneath the posting toolbar. The ‘Add image to post’ link opens a new window which allows you to upload your photo.

1. Enter any text then press return to enter a couple of new lines. It is best to insert your images one line under any text.
2. Click the ‘Add image to post’ link.

1. Click ‘Browse’ to locate your image file on your computer or memory stick. – Leave all other options as they are. Adult content is not supported on Absolutely James Bond.
2. Click the ‘Upload It!’ button and your photo will be uploaded.
3. The code to display your image will automatically appear in the post box at position 1 on the first image.

Visit the James Bond Lifestyle Competition topic and post your pictures.

Competition Extended!

Due to popular demand the competition has been extended until the end of August, that’s a whole extra month to photograph yourself. If you’re going on holiday why not take some Bond props along!

Competition Terms and Rules

By submitting your photo(s), you agree to the following rules, terms and conditions:

All photos entered will be evaluated. Images will be judged on originality, creativity, overall photographic and artistic quality, and how much it is an original representation of an ‘ultimate Bond moment’.

Limit of TWO entries per person!

The contestant must own all rights to any photographs entered in this contest. It is the responsibility of the contestant to ensure that publication of the photographs raises no legal claims. Anyone under the age of 16 must have parental consent before publishing their photos.

The photo does not have to be taken by you, but the photograph’s author must be aware of the submission.

Digital enhancement is permitted! International entries are not only welcome but encouraged.

All prizes must be accepted as awarded, and are not convertible to cash.

Photos thought to be outside of the above criteria may be removed from consideration without the contestant being notified. The judges decisions are final.

Additional Terms and Conditions
By participating in the contest, you agree to release and hold harmless Absolutely James Bond (ajb007.co.uk), sponsors, affiliates, and advertising and promotional agencies from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind resulting from your participation in this contest, including infringement of intellectual property rights. Absolutely James Bond, sponsors, affiliates, and advertising and promotional agencies assume no responsibility or liability for any damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions, or losses of any kind arising in whole or in part from this contest.

Enter before it’s too late…

Visit the James Bond Lifestyle Competition topic to see others entries and post your own.

By David Zaritsky

Dear Mr. Ford,

Enclosed please find the routing number to my checking account to which every two weeks my paycheck will be deposited for your withdrawal for the next three years.  In addition I have enclosed the deed to my home and shortly there will be a delivery of my car on a large car carrier as the title has been signed over to you.  I hope the sum of all this is enough for the lovely tie your company designed for Quantum of Solace.

Yours Truly,

The much poorer David Zaritsky

The above is a slight exaggeration.  Only slight.  When I began writing the “On a Budget” articles for those wanting to dress like Bond the world was a very different place…a much fatter place.  Back then those on a budget or those that were budget minded appreciated the articles and the places to find alternative brands to capture the same look.  NOW with the financial environment we live in these articles seem to resonate even louder, acting as a resource for those that are experiencing the recession we are living in BUT who have not lost their desire to dress well.  Before we dive into the discussion I do want to let everyone know that I am a HUGE fan of the brands that Bond wears in Quantum of Solace.  I own the Ryder 3 boots, the Staprest jeans, the 7 of Mankind Jeans, the Tom Ford sunglasses and clothes, the black Y-3 jacket, and others so I am the first to tell you there is nothing like the original makers and brands to deliver what you see on screen.   Those brands have worked hard to develop their look and feel and I support them both philosophically and financially.  That being said I am also keenly aware that not all of us are built financially equal yet we are built the same when it comes to the penchant for capturing the look of QoS- thus this article is for you.  The article will be divided by outfit and described how the viewer sees it on screen, but in no particular order.

TOSCA:

If only you and I could be like Bond and walk into an opera dressing room and pilfer a tux JUST in the right size for us.  But alas, we are not Bond.  I do implore each of you to visit www.uniformalwearhouse.com.  Not only can the everyman walk away with the perfect fitting tuxedo, not only can you choose the correct style shirt and bow tie but you will do it all by spending between $59.00 and $150.00.  I was telling a work colleague about this site and explained to him that no discerning gentleman should rent a tux when this site exists.  After all, do you know what people DO in rented tuxes?  You don’t want to know.  The site also carries shoes but to truly acquire the TOSCA scene look of Bond and mimic the Churchs he wears I would go no further than www.target.com and look at the Mens Merona Teddy-Cap Toe Dress Shoes for $26.99.

HAITI:

In Haiti Bond wears the Levis Staprest crème colored jeans which have been discontinued and fetch a mint on the open market.  He also wears a Tom Ford navy polo that IF it were available would cost $495.00.  After his ‘altercation’ with Slate he finds himself in the possession of a Y-3 black jacket that is rarer than hen’s teeth and goes for hundreds of dollars when you can find one.  Finally, he wears those amazing Ryder 3 chukka boots from Churchs, retail price of $500.  So all in your entire Haitian Bond outfit will cost you roughly $1500.00 IF you could find all the pieces. OR….

You could first buy a Sunspel navy polo instead of the Tom Ford one.  What’s that you say?  Sunspel?  Hey, aren’t those the blokes that made the shirt for Casino Royale?  Why yes they are, and a better representation of what you see in QoS you will not find.  The shirt is comfortable, breathes well and at $95 is an investment in what will be one of your favorite Bond pieces.  Not to mention it carries the Casino Royale crest of approval!  If however $95 is still too steep you could always purchase a great navy polo at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10038531 which is (wait for it) only $3.  For crème or white jeans you could visit www.levis.com and look under their 501 Original Jeans-Global Blues in the color white.  The blue jean that started it all. Their button-fly 501® Original Jean is still straight through the seat, thigh and leg, just like the Staprest. The tilted waistband pitches toward the front just like it as well and it’s only $59.  There are a multiple of places to buy the black jacket Bond wears while on the motorcycle but I found some of the best ones at Banana Republic and Gap for about $50.  Still breaks the bank?  I have personally seen the George – Men’s Metro Zip jacket at www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10136078 and it fits the bill nicely, even being a slim fit type jacket.  Finally, you will need the suede chukka boots and these can be obtained for ¼ the cost of the Churchs at http://theshopforshoes.com/shop/Classic_Boots.html.  Make sure you look at the John White – Westbury chukkas as they have received HIGH reviews for those that have purchased them.  For under $125 you will have a great replica of the Ryder 3s and these boots are even welted like the Churchs with amazingly high standards.

MATHIS Retrieval:

When Bond has no one to trust he heads to Italy to implore his friend Mathis to join him on his mission.  As he drinks cheap white wine Bond relaxes in a Tom Ford cardigan costing $1300, Tom Ford shirt costing $750, Levis Beige Staprest jeans, and those wonderful Ryder 3 boots for a total of $2600.00.  DON’T spill any wine on your outfit, Bond!  Since we have already discussed the boot alternatives we will continue to work our way up with the pants.  The Levis eco Vintage Straight 539 Pants in beige are a terrific version of the ones seen in the movie and they retail for $39.00.  JCrew has a wonderful slim fit white dress shirt that mimics the feel of sea island cotton but a white shirt like Bond wears under his cardigan can really be found anywhere.  You do want to pay special attention to one that is not broadcloth but rather light and airy.  Finally, the black shawl cardigan can be had at Zara stores now.  Simply replace the buttons that this sweater has with leather cross-hatch ones and viola, instant accuracy.  I also hear that www.marksandspencer.com has a very good alternative called The Autograph.  This cardigan is a chunky mid-weight one as opposed to the Zara one that is light weight.

Perla de las Dunas:

Because a pair of 7 of mankind jeans will set you back $175.00 and we know what the TF Polo and Church’s Chukkas will cost you, but MOSTLY because you can’t buy the dark blue jacket Tom Ford made for the movie we bring you some other choices.  We have already discussed the chukkas and the blue polo but let’s discuss the jeans.  The 501s in Tidal blue are not only a great alternative to the other higher end jeans, but are flattering and comfortable as hell.  I own a pair and I can tell you first hand they are among my favorite jeans.  They can be found in Kohls or at the following web site for Macys:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=321212&CategoryID=16513&LinkType=EverGreen.  As Tom Ford made the blue jacket especially for the film (even though he offers a brown or black one in his store for $2500.00) you will be hard pressed to find one that’s dead on.  That being said www.warriorclothing.com offers an excellent deal on a navy blue Harrington jacket cut to the same vintage patterns of the 60s and 70s versions. It is a plain cotton jacket in Navy with an eye-catching red tartan lining and famed for the unique features on it. It has all the details you need on a Harrington- the button collar, flap style pockets and even the wavy shoulder seam.  This jacket on their web site is only $35.00 and definitely plays the part.  it can be purchased at: http://warriorclothing.com/uk/shop//product_info.php?cPath=74&products_id=548&osCsid=92bdb989bd9593eef05737f1b00af75c

Sunglasses:

The observant among us will notice that I haven’t mentioned anything about sunglasses alternatives.  I truly believe this is one area you shouldn’t scrimp and quite frankly the Tom Ford official ones are a good deal and they look great on.  Bad lenses are a recipe for bad eyesight.  Now, if you already have bad eyesight www.target.com carries a pair of men’s sunglasses that looks the part except it has a little extra ridge material around the nose.  But trust me, if you are going to invest in any Bond piece from this movie the sunglasses and the Churchs Chukka boots are sure things.

Well, now that the wife has locked me out of my finances and has forced me to write a rescinded letter to Mr. Ford, I too will be dipping back into the world of Budget Bond.  The next article will focus on the suits, ties, shirts, and accessories we see Bond wear in Quantum of Solace.  Till then, watch those sheckles and keep watching those bargain bins…