Belstaff x Vestiaire Collective restore 10 classic jackets – and one could be yours
From the 1960s and 1970s, the limited run of Trialmaster jackets are now on sale. What are you waiting for?
From Steve McQueen’s jacket in The Great Escape to the long coat of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes, Belstaff have long created iconic outerwear. Today, the heritage brand has announced its exclusive partnership with Vestiaire Collective on the sale of ten wax cotton Trialmaster jackets from the Belstaff Archive.
The Belstaff archive has grown to an incredible 150 pieces over recent years, covering the most significant and prolific of the brand’s themes. So, from aviation and military to naval and moto, the collection is now bursting at the seams with sartorial history – all in preparation for Belstaff’s much-anticipated centenary celebration in 2024.
The Belstaff Archive includes a 1930s vulcanised rubber motorcycle coat, yellow oilskin ‘Speedway’ capes made for spectators at the races in the 1940s and cotton gabardine mountain parkas from the 1970s. Also included is much of Belstaff’s iconic leatherwear – some of which was exhibited in their New Bond Street store this February (see above).
The Trialmaster jackets from the 1960s and 1970s, are one of the most iconic pieces in the Belstaff Archive. Including unique colour versions and an emerald waxed cotton two-piece worn to triumph after triumph by legendary motorcyclist Sammy Miller, this iconic four-poset wax jacket design was fist trademarked by Belstaff in 1969, and has over the years become as ingrained in the motorcycling community as the bikes themselves.
Vestiaire Collective, Europe’s leading online marketplace for luxury fashion, has worked closely with Belstaff to restore a limited run of 10 of these Trialmasters for a lucky dectet of buyers to purchase.
Among the ten jackets – which range from the 60s to 70s and went on sale yesterday – there are a selection of designs and limited editions, but all share the qualities that make a Trialmaster a Trialmaster. Each jacket has an oily hand-waxed patina, which affords a waterproof quality. The slanted pocket from the original 1950s design can also be seen in the 1970s iterations, and all linings are checked – with some even still displaying the vintage badges from Goodyear, BSA or their original owners. Two of the jackets are even fashioned from incredibly rare red wax.
Bertrand Thoral, Head of Vestiaire Collective Man says of the partnership, ‘From the very beginning, we wanted to build the brand DNA of Vestiaire Collective Man not just around men’s fashion, but around the lifestyle of a style savvy man that enjoys rare and timeless investments such as vintage cars, watches and custom motorcycles.
‘I feel Belstaff share a similar vision so when the opportunity to collaborate with them on their archive collection came up there was no hesitation, its an honour and an amazing opportunity to give our global community access to Belstaff’s archive and share a part of the brands history.’
So, if you’re looking to shift your motorcycling wardrobe up a gear, or just have a penchant for vintage outwerwear, head across to the Vestiaire Collective to check out these ten incredible, wax-coated pieces of history.
This article was written in association with Vestiaire Collective & Belstaff. For more information, visit here.
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