Let Miss Moneypenny be your role model

Published on Monday 27 October 2008 20:23

NEAT and discreet, from the neckline of her prim pussy-bow blouse to the soles of her dainty flat pumps – yet pulsating with a intriguing sexual allure.

Cool as a cucumber and efficient as a weapon of mass destruction, this was a woman whose clothes were functional and fuss-free – yet furiously chic. Salute Miss Moneypenny, the true fashion force of the Bond movie oeuvre.

Well, fancy-dress parties apart, why would any woman want to dress like any of those highly disposable Bond Babes – the ever-so-slutty-unluckies who dolly about in barely-there bikinis or slinky evening gowns before meeting truly horrible ends? Their slithery little wisps of fall-to-the-floor chiffon are no armour for a career in the front line of international espionage. And they're most certainly not realistic careerwear options for modern women, casino croupiers and X-Factor finalists excepted.

By contrast, the sobriety of Moneypenny's sleek little shift dresses or skirt-and-blouse combinations always inspired a confidence that countless women would surely love to command. For, at a subliminal level, the tidiness of her look confirmed that Moneypenny was never likely to mis-file the state secrets she handled, or absent-mindedly leave M's address book on the No 279 bus.

She projected an image of efficiency, competence and reliability: a mighty powerful message to communicate from mere clothing, don't you think? This is why I'd argue it was Moneypenny who got all the best frocks in Bond movie costuming.

Lois Maxwell (who died last year, aged 80) played Moneypenny in 14 Bond films from Dr No in 1962 until 1985's A View to a Kill. And, even after younger actresses filled her shoes (notably Samantha Bond) Maxwell's performances continued to define the Moneypenny character: the feisty charm with which she communicated the sexual chemistry between herself and Bond – and, of course, there was the way she was costumed. Oh, there was certainly something of the fashion icon about her.

Now, just because no-one has troubled to pop a Moneypenny into Quantum of Solace, don't imagine her fashion influence has evaporated. In fact, chic stores are awash this season with tunics, shifts and other 60s-look day-dresses (like the silver-grey flannel number, featured here, from American brand Theory) that look bang on the, er, Moneypenny.