Most men reach for a belt and think no more about it. In Cuba, with his Tom Ford tuxedo in No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s Bond wears a plain pair of black braces, and the T.M. Lewin Dual End Black Braces are that pair. They are among the least conspicuous things he wears in the film. That, in our view, is the reason to own them.
In the film
Bond wears them with the black tuxedo in No Time To Die (2021). They are part of the tuxedo outfit Paloma hands him in Cuba. Under the jacket they are largely unseen, which is how braces are meant to work.
The details of the T.M. Lewin Dual End Black Braces
Two kinds of end. The name tells you the point. Black leather end pieces fasten to buttons inside the waistband, and metal clips take their place on trousers that have none. The ends can be swapped, so one pair covers a dinner suit with proper button tabs and an odd pair of trousers that were never made for braces.
Black and silver. The braces and leather ends are black, while the clips are polished silver. In earlier films Bond has more often worn white moiré braces with evening dress, so black is a quieter choice for this one.
The clips. The metal ends are there for convenience, and fitting them takes a little patience. A published owner review also notes that the stud which holds the rear leather end can be felt against a hard chair back. It is a small point, but it suggests choosing soft seating for a long dinner.
Wearing them now
Braces suit a man who wants his trousers to stay exactly where he put them. Because they carry the weight from the shoulders, the waistband sits at the same height all day, and a shirt stays tucked under a waistcoat without effort. They need a trouser with a proper rise, so low-slung fashion trousers are no match.
Buttons first. We would button them on whenever the trousers allow it. It is the cleaner, more traditional fastening, and a tailor can add buttons inside a waistband. Keep the clips for trousers you cannot alter, or for travel.
Match the leather to the shoes. Black leather ends belong with black evening shoes. Wear them with a dinner suit, as Bond does, or with charcoal and grey flannel trousers and a white or pale blue shirt.
No belt. Braces and a belt do the same job and should never be worn together. If your trousers have belt loops, leave them empty.
Check the price. T.M. Lewin has sold this pair at both full price and on sale, so look at the page before you buy.
Specifications
| Maker | T.M. Lewin |
|---|---|
| Model | Dual End Black Braces |
| Colour | Black |
| Ends | Black leather end pieces for buttons; metal end pieces for clipping to trousers |
| Price | See T.M. Lewin for the current price |
Full details are on T.M. Lewin’s own page for the braces.
Questions
Are these the braces Bond wears in No Time To Die?
Yes. Bond wears the T.M. Lewin Dual End Black Braces with his Tom Ford tuxedo, part of the outfit Paloma gives him in Cuba.
Can you wear these braces with trousers that have no buttons?
Yes. That is what the metal clip ends are for. Swap them in for the leather ends and the braces clip onto the waistband.
Should braces match your shoes?
The leather ends should, in the same way a belt would. Black leather ends suit black shoes, which is why these work so well with a dinner suit.
Can you wear braces with a belt?
No. Each does the same job, so wearing both is redundant and looks it. Choose braces and leave the belt loops empty.
More pieces from the same wardrobe are in our accessories collection.
