The style evolution of Daniel Craig: from basic to Bond to high-fashion chaos – in pictures
It’s the year 2000, and Daniel Craig, at 32 years old, has already made a name for himself with a successful career in theater. He gained recognition as the charming yet unfortunate Geordie in the renowned TV series Our Friends in the North. Now, he finds himself in supporting roles in films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The suit and tie he wears suggest a future transformation, although the iconic character of Bond would never approve of that particular style.
At the Venice Film Festival, Craig is promoting Road to Perdition while rocking a quintessentially early 2000s look: Converse sneakers, worn-out jeans, a white v-neck T-shirt paired with a suit jacket, and, most likely, a copy of Is This It by the Strokes stashed in his pocket.
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Hold on a second! He’s actually secured the part of James Bond! This has definitely called for a major transformation (something we wouldn’t have used as a phrase back in 2006). Here we see Craig and Eva Green showcasing Casino Royale, fully embracing their Bond personas: with that piercing blue look, a matching blue tie, impeccable tailoring, and even the silk pocket square perfectly coordinated with his jacket.
What's going on here – he has a beard? Some fans are shocked by the idea of James Bond having facial hair. However, Craig was portraying Lord Asriel in The Golden Notebook at that time, and the facial hair led some devoted Bond fans to affectionately call him Goldenbear.
Fast forward to 2015, and Craig is walking the red carpet for his fourth outing as Bond in Spectre. He even had the honor of portraying 007 alongside the Queen during the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012. That tuxedo doesn’t just suit him perfectly; it has become a part of who he is. However, Craig is eager to move on and explore new opportunities...
Wait... he’s blonde? And dressed in jeans and a leather jacket? At that time, Craig was shooting Logan Lucky, which meant he had to bleach his hair. People couldn’t help but point out how much he looked like the Bond villain Donald Grant from the 1963 film From Russia with Love.
Image credit: Ilya S Savenok/Getty Images for The New Yorker
He's currently advertising Logan Lucky, and his blonde hair has gotten a bit longer, giving him a stylishly messy appearance: his shirt is unbuttoned low, his cardigan is a little off-kilter, and he’s wearing brown shoes that go against the classic rule of "never wear brown in the city."
Image Credit: David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images
It's 2019, and Craig is once again stepping into the shoes of Bond for his last appearance as 007. His mixed feelings about the character seem evident as he opts for Converse sneakers, standing among his elegantly dressed female co-stars, all of whom are struggling to keep their balance on the grass in their high heels.
Later that year, Craig attends the Toronto Film Festival to introduce what would become another hit series – Knives Out. His suit is sleek, the sunglasses are stunning, and his selfie features a serious expression.
There’s likely no more glamorous occasion than premiering No Time to Die for Catherine, the Princess of Wales, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. For his final performance as Bond, Craig went all out with a stunning double-breasted pink velvet tuxedo from Anderson & Sheppard, a perfectly tied bow tie, and dress shirt from Budd. Even his pocket square looked as if it had been crafted by an origami expert.
Image Credit: Tim P Whitby/Getty Images for EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Universal Pictures.
We've hit another bump in the road! Craig, now moving past his Bond days, is out promoting his latest project, "Queer," where he portrays a drug-fueled writer who finds love with a younger man. He’s also representing the Spanish fashion brand Loewe, dressed in a specially tailored cream suit designed by Jonathan Anderson, complemented by tortoiseshell aviator sunglasses from Jacques Marie Mage. This outfit is more relaxed compared to his famously snug Bond suits. He’s embracing his freedom!
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Now he's really made a splash—specifically in Paris, where he attended Loewe’s fashion show alongside his wife, Rachel Weisz. The style is an intriguing mix of high fashion and eclectic flair, featuring Craig in baggy combat pants, a sweater that looks inspired by an ayahuasca experience, a small neck scarf, and yellow-tinted sunglasses, all while rocking his matured salt-and-pepper hair. At 56, he clearly doesn’t care what anyone thinks.
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We just attended the London gala screening of "Queer," and it was a stark contrast to "No Time to Die." The event took place at the indie venue Curzon Soho, with no sign of the royal family, and Craig showed up in a loose-fitting grey Armani suit, paired with a large tweed overcoat and a roomy scarf, all in complementary colors. His yellow glasses give off a hint of Burroughs-esque eccentricity. He appears to be enjoying life to the fullest. As Craig mentioned to the Guardian this week, “What are you trying to say? That I’m too old?” Absolutely not!
