Some of the most wearable things on screen belong to the supporting cast. In No Time To Die, Felix Leiter appears to wear the Clarks Originals Desert London in pine green suede on a crepe sole: soft, low, entirely unshowy. They are the opposite of a hero prop, which is why we like them. This is a shoe to wear, not to display.
In the film
Jeffrey Wright’s Felix Leiter appears to wear the Desert London in the Jamaican scenes of No Time To Die (2021), alongside Daniel Craig’s Bond. The identification comes from how the shoes look on screen, not from a statement by Clarks, so we say ‘appears’. The colour is pine green suede, on a crepe sole.
The details of the Clarks Originals Desert London
A low Desert Boot. The Desert London is the low-cut member of the Desert Boot family, the chukka Clarks Originals is best known for. You keep the soft, unstructured character and lose the ankle height. In warm weather, or under a trouser with a clean break, that is the better proportion.
Suede in pine green. A dark green rather than a bright one. Against navy, grey and stone it behaves almost like a neutral. It is a more interesting choice than the usual sand or beeswax, and no harder to wear.
A crepe sole. Crepe is soft underfoot and gives the shoe its relaxed, slightly worn-in look. It also collects dirt, which we regard as part of the character.
A plain lace-up. Shape, colour and material do all the work here, and the shoe is easy to dress up or down as a result.
Wearing it now
These are warm-weather, off-duty shoes, and the Jamaican setting is the right cue. We would wear them with stone or cream chinos, a linen or oxford shirt and a navy knit tied loosely over the shoulders or put on when the evening cools. Navy trousers work equally well. Keep the rest of the outfit quiet and let the green carry it.
What to avoid. Do not match the green with an olive jacket and olive trousers; the shoe disappears into the outfit. Equally, we would not wear them with a tailored suit. A soft-shouldered jacket and unlined trousers are as formal as we would go.
Which colour? If you want the film’s shoe, choose pine green. Stock varies and colours come and go, so check the retailer links before setting your heart on it. If green is a step too far, the Desert London is also listed in beeswax, burgundy suede and black suede, and we would take beeswax as the safe alternative.
Care. Treat suede with a protector spray before the first wear and brush it with a suede brush after wearing. Keep it out of heavy rain; suede darkens when wet and dries slightly stiff. A crepe sole is easily brushed clean once dry.
Specifications
| Model | Clarks Originals Desert London |
|---|---|
| Colour | Pine Green |
| Upper | Suede |
| Sole | Crepe |
| Closure | Lace-up, low cut |
| Seen in | No Time To Die (2021), worn by Felix Leiter in the Jamaican scenes |
| Price | See the retailer’s current listing |
Questions
Does Felix Leiter wear Clarks Desert London shoes in No Time To Die?
He appears to. Our catalogue identifies the shoes as the Clarks Originals Desert London in pine green suede, worn by Leiter in the Jamaican scenes. The match is based on how the shoes look on screen, not on confirmation from the maker, which is why we do not state it as fact.
What is the difference between the Desert London and the Desert Boot?
The Desert London is a low shoe, while the Desert Boot is a chukka that covers the ankle. They share the suede or leather upper and the crepe sole, so the character is the same.
Is the pine green Desert London still available?
Availability varies by colour and size, so check the retailer links for what is in stock. Clarks colours come and go, and pine green may not always be listed.
How do you look after suede Clarks?
Spray with a suede protector before wearing and brush the nap after each wear. Avoid heavy rain, and let damp shoes dry naturally away from direct heat.
More shoes from the films are in our shoes collection, and the men behind them are in The Bonds.
