Belstaff may be an established clothing brand that was founded nearly 90 years ago in Stoke-on-Trent but due to its recent change of owners it is now considered to be in stages of infancy again, infancy of the long road ahead that will form the next part of the brands history.
Having been recently acquired by LABELUX, the Swiss conglomerate behind Bally, Zagliani and Jimmy Choo, the Belstaff brand and product is undergoing some major changes to the way it is sold and displayed in the UK.
Gone are the wide variety of retailers stocking the brand, now only a handful can stock the brand and luckily for us Mainline Menswear are one of the chosen few. The styles, fits and designs are staying the same on the classic jackets but more attention to detail is now evident.
Higher quality materials are being used for the lining, zips, buttons and other detailing and the brand’s image has moved to a much higher level. Gone are the days when their only nod towards ‘image’ was Ewan MacGregor, Charley Boorman or the Hairy Bikers wearing the jackets. Today you’ll find many more lifestyle images of younger guys wearing the jackets and coats with more attention paid to the overall outfit and look.
Don’t get me wrong, the guys above still wear the coats as the brand is deeply engrained in motorcycle and motorsport history, but the newer generation of leather or wax cotton jacket wearing guys are less into their bikes and more interested in the look, feel and image that a Belstaff jacket now creates. If you’re aware of the brand you’ll have seen the classic Roadmaster, Trialmaster and Trophymaster jackets that all feature four front pockets, optional belt and neck fastening, embossed buttons and a waxed finish to the cotton coat.
If you’re a fan and fancy something a little different you could find yourself a signature Sammy Miller (named after the Northern Irish championship motorcycle racer) or even one of Belstaff’s vintage leather jackets – the Panther. With a hardwearing leather that motorcycle enthusiasts would identify with but a distinctive fashion feeling the Panther jacket is one of Belstaff’s most expensive at Mainline Menswear but also one of the more iconic.
Prices vary from £250 to £1195 on the website with an average Belstaff jacket being available for around the £550 mark, meaning that a premium jacket from Belstaff is much more of an investment than it is a flash in the pan fashion statement. So while the spring showers threaten, and the wind whistles around the UK adding a Belstaff coat from Mainline Menswear to your wardrobe or outfit will be deemed as a very smart move.