James Bond's style was naturally influenced by the personal taste of his creator, Ian Fleming, who favoured camp collar shirts when at home in Jamaica. The open-neck, short-sleeved design is usually cut straight in the body from fine cotton or linen, making it the perfect relaxed garment for hot summer days.
Sean Connery as 007 in Fleming inspired shirt
There are several references in the James Bond novels to the stylish secret agent wearing short-sleeved shirts in white and navy Sea Island cotton, but on the big screen his cuffs remain intact until the fourth film in the series, Thunderball (1965).
Connery with Claudine Auger in Thunderball
Amongst the many camp collar shirts modelled by Connery in Thunderball, the rose-pink linen remains the most distinctive and memorable of the set. It is one of two pink shirts worn in the film, marking another departure from the classic pale blue and white long-sleeved shirts of the earlier movies.
Connery with Little Nellie in You Only Live Twice
Connery continued to wear camp collar shirts for his subsequent outings as James Bond in You Only Live Twice (1967) and Diamonds Are Forever (1971). The style then vanished from Bond's wardrobe for over three decades, until Pierce Brosnan wore a long-sleeved white linen version of the design in Die Another Day.
Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day (2002)
Today, the camp collar shirt is recognised as a classic piece of summer clothing for the modern man. It is a versatile garment, working equally well over casual trousers or beach shorts, guaranteed to keep you feeling cool... and looking butch.