You can imitate the look of a classic spy by wearing trench coats, dress pants, and tuxedos. You can also update the look to be more contemporary by wearing a turtleneck sweater, like that of fictional secret agent Sterling Archer. The truth, James Bond, is that there are several ways to achieve a spy appearance. Regardless of whether you want to reproduce the style of your favorite fictional spy or run your own covert surveillance operation, with a few tips, you will soon be able to dress up as a true secret agent.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Dress Up Like a Contemporary Spy
Step 1. Groom your hair
Spies are known to be seductive and personable characters. If you are a man, you can try a stylish mustache or a three-day beard to increase your charm. Ladies can achieve the same effect by getting a sleek, extravagant hairstyle.
Step 2. Have your raincoat handy
Not only will it protect you from the outside elements, but the protection afforded by its high collar also makes this item of clothing iconic among spies. High-quality tailored jackets will make you look so stylish that even James Bond will approve of you.
Step 3. Dress formally in your best evening wear
A spy's job is to uncover the secrets of high-level dignitaries and political figures. If you are male, that means you will need to wear your best tux to fit black tie political events. Women spies can infiltrate events in elegant evening gowns.
Consider wearing tailored suits so that everyone can tell just by looking at you that you are a refined and cosmopolitan person
Step 4. Prepare for any weather condition
James Bond and Sterling Archer even ski down mountains to escape or chase their enemies. Famous spy John Steed from the classic spy TV series The Avengers was rarely seen without his iconic umbrella.
Step 5. Have an ace up your sleeve
Spies are equipped with innovative gadgets to outwit their enemies' counterattacks. In ancient China, spies from the Roman Empire used hollow bamboo poles to smuggle the priceless silkworms from the Chinese Empire. Consider bringing a book with a secret hiding place for an important tool, a multipurpose umbrella, or a climbing hook to aid in your spying activities.
Method 2 of 3: Wearing Tactical Spy Suits
Step 1. Just choose black outfits
That color is perfect to blend in with the darkness of the night. It will prevent your presence from being detected while infiltrating enemy facilities. Stick to wearing fitted and durable clothing that protects you and does not get in the way.
Step 2. Attach carabiners or a climbing harness to your tool belt
Carabiners that have been tested for resistance to weight can save your life if you need to scale a wall or cliff face. Additionally, you can store valuable spy tools, such as handcuffs and binoculars, in a tool belt. The tool belt and climbing harness, along with the things you can carry in them, are useful additions to your spy kit.
Step 3. Hide your face with a mask of your choice
Some spies prefer to wear a simple ski mask to remain anonymous, while others choose to dress up in a slightly more comical way and sometimes choose to wear masks that mimic nefarious characters. Whichever mask you choose, you can protect your identity with it while you carry out your espionage operation.
Step 4. Use a headlight or goggles
A spy uses every part of his body to have optimal tactical advantage. That includes your head. Wearing protection will protect your eyes from dust in case you crawl through duct systems. On the other hand, a flashlight will provide you with vital light without having to hold it with your hands.
For more functional authenticity, you can visit a military surplus store to purchase a pair of night vision goggles. You can also purchase a similar night vision enhancement kit from online stores
Step 5. Purchase artifacts invalidate the protection of valuable objects
The areas that you must enter to carry out your espionage work may have restricted access. Therefore, you should learn to open safes without having a combination and take with you some tools that you might need for that purpose, such as a stethoscope to listen to the lock mechanisms click into place.
Method 3 of 3: Dressing for Covert Surveillance in the Real World
Step 1. Take into account your common appearance
While doing covert surveillance, you must somehow hide every distinctive feature of your normal appearance. Take a look in the mirror and write down the traits that you think might attract attention, that you have received compliments on, or those that others can identify.
- For example, having bright red or platinum blonde hair could make you easier to remember and identify, which is the last thing you want to achieve while doing your covert surveillance work.
- The traits you are complimented on are generally unique and could be used to identify you if you don't go out of your way to hide them.
Step 2. Alter your complexion
One of the first things people notice when they see others is their skin tone. If you change your skin tone with the right self-tanning product or a little powder, you are more likely to go unnoticed. Aim to pick a tone that could be described as "plain" or "ordinary."
Regardless of the product you use on your face to change its appearance, you must apply it to other visible parts of your body. If you only apply the self-tanner to your face, you probably stand out more than you did before altering your skin tone
Step 3. Choose appropriate clothing items
Before going on a mission, research what other people will wear. If you are attending a formal event or dinner at a fancy restaurant, you should wear a more elegant dress. However, if the operation will be at a cartoon character convention, you may be better suited to blend in with the crowd in a graphic tee and jeans.
Step 4. Invest in the right footwear
Although 7-inch heels might go well with your fancy dress while infiltrating a political event, they may be a hindrance if you get caught and you have to rush out of the room. The same applies to men wearing English-sewn shoes or other footwear, as smooth-soled shoes could make your gait unsteady when walking on a roof, something that is considered classic among spies.
Take your time to find footwear that matches your costume and is functional in various settings
Step 5. Get a purse or purse to consolidate your spy gear
Having a purse with a secret pocket is a great way to sneak in important spy tools, like a lock pick set or infrared sensor developer spray. Men in suits and ties may look less natural if they carry a backpack loaded with the equipment they will use on their mission. However, if you place it inside a hideout in a place close to your mission, you may have invaluable tools at your disposal.
Step 6. Develop a low-key personality
Prepare a simple story to explain who you are and why you are at the mission site. Doing so will be very useful if someone is chatting with you while you are on the mission. Try not to make up stories that are long or include personal information. Your goal is to be as common and forgettable as possible.
Advice
Although the classic image of the spy is cool, intentional, and stylish, his true goal is to accomplish his mission without getting caught
Warnings
- If you are conducting covert surveillance, be aware that some people view this behavior as ethically questionable and may view it as a violation of their privacy.
- Forcibly entering someone's home or stealing private, personal or government secrets could lead to legal penalties. If you are caught spying, you may have to post a million dollar bail or be sentenced to death.