Knitwear does a great deal of quiet work in cold-weather films, and in Die Another Day much of it came from one Scottish mill. The Ballantyne cashmere polo worn by Miranda Frost is a frost grey, textured knit that suits both the character and the setting. It is not made any more, so this is a page about the look, and how to get close to it now.
In the film
Rosamund Pike’s Miranda Frost wears a frost grey bouclé cashmere polo from Ballantyne’s Autumn Winter 2002/2003 collection. Ballantyne is a Scottish cashmere house, and BBC News reported at the time that its knitwear dressed Bond and his co-stars in the film. We cannot place the polo in one particular scene, so treat it as the closest match we can identify for the character’s wardrobe.
The Ballantyne cashmere polo, and why it works
Cashmere with texture. Bouclé gives a knit a soft, slightly nubbly surface, so the garment looks richer than a flat jersey of the same colour. In a pale grey that surface catches light gently and avoids shine.
A collar, not a roll neck. A polo neck of this sort sits cleanly under a coat or a jacket and does not bulk at the throat. It is dressier than a crew neck and easier than a shirt and tie.
A colour with a purpose. Frost grey is cool and pale, which suits a character defined by composure. It is also easy to live with: it pairs with navy, charcoal, cream and black without effort.
Wearing the idea now
Wear a pale grey knit as the lightest thing in an otherwise dark outfit: charcoal trousers, a long dark coat, plain leather boots. Or reverse it, with a cream trouser and a pale grey top for a day that does not need a jacket. We would keep jewellery to a minimum and let the knit’s surface be the interest.
Buying second-hand. The Autumn Winter 2002/2003 polo is out of production, but Ballantyne cashmere turns up on resale sites and on eBay. Check the label, the condition of the cuffs and neck, and look closely for moth damage before you buy. Look for pale grey cashmere and a textured finish, not for an exact match.
New instead. Ballantyne still makes cashmere knitwear, and its current ranges are the place to start if you want the maker.
In the same spirit
A fine grey knit for the same palette, offered as an alternative and not as anything worn in the film: the N.Peal Cable Roll Neck Sweater in Fumo Grey.
Specifications
| Maker | Ballantyne |
|---|---|
| Collection | Autumn Winter 2002/2003 |
| Style | Polo, frost grey |
| Material | Bouclé cashmere |
| Availability | Out of production; found second-hand |
| Worn by | Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike) |
Ballantyne’s current collections are at Ballantyne’s current women’s knitwear.
Questions
Who wears the Ballantyne polo in Die Another Day?
Rosamund Pike as Miranda Frost wears a frost grey bouclé cashmere polo from Ballantyne, according to our catalogue.
Is the Ballantyne Die Another Day polo still available?
Not new. It belongs to the Autumn Winter 2002/2003 collection, so the practical route is a second-hand search, with Ballantyne cashmere widely resold.
Did Pierce Brosnan wear Ballantyne too?
Reports of the time say Ballantyne knitwear dressed Bond and his co-stars in the film. We have written up only the frost grey polo here.
What should I look for in a second-hand cashmere polo?
Check the neck and cuffs for wear, the surface for pilling and holes, and the label for the maker and size. Ask for clear photographs of the inside.
