In GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan’s Bond drives the mountain roads above Monte Carlo with a green silk cravat at his throat. It is a Tootal day cravat, the Tootal green cravat of the Monte Carlo casual outfit, and it is the most relaxed piece of neckwear in his Brosnan wardrobe.
In the film
Bond wears the cravat right after the opening credits of GoldenEye (1995), during the mountain car race against Xenia Onatopp’s Ferrari near Monte Carlo. It is green silk with a symmetric red flower pattern, and it is worn tucked into the open collar with a navy jumper. A reference site notes that the cravat was identified as Tootal in later years.
The details
A day cravat. A day cravat is the British name for what Americans call an ascot tie, with a wider blade at each end than a standard tie. It is a sportswear item that has been worn since the 1920s, a rakish alternative to a necktie.
Tootal. A British neckwear maker. Its period cravats still turn up second-hand, often in synthetic fabrics from the 1960s at modest prices: listings we saw were around US$12.
Wearing it now
Wear a cravat as Bond does: tucked into an open-necked shirt, under a jumper or a casual jacket, never with a suit. A silk cravat in a small pattern is best against a plain navy knit, and the colour should be quiet. It is for a weekend in the country or a drive with the roof down, and it should look as if you tied it in a hurry.
The exact green Tootal is found second-hand. Search for vintage Tootal day cravats in silk, and check the fabric, since the old ones vary between silk and synthetic. We would buy the pattern we liked rather than hold out for the exact one, which is hard to confirm.
Specifications
| Maker | Tootal, Britain |
|---|---|
| Style | Day cravat (ascot tie) |
| Colour and pattern | Green silk with a symmetric red flower pattern |
| Status | Vintage; found second-hand |
Questions
What is the green cravat Bond wears in GoldenEye?
A Tootal day cravat in green silk with a red flower pattern, worn in the Monte Carlo mountain drive.
Is a day cravat the same as an ascot?
Yes. An ascot tie is the American term for what is called a day cravat in the UK.
Can you still buy Tootal cravats?
Only vintage. Period Tootal day cravats are found on Etsy and eBay.
More from the film page, and Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in the clothing section.
