The British functional clothing brand is launching three new Trialmaster styles to celebrate the Icon jacket’s platinum anniversary. Belstaff’s Old Is Good: Trialmaster campaign celebrates 75 years of endurance with a series of activations and events taking place throughout 2023. The three limited-edition jacket designs, named Tribute, 75 Edition and Concept, speak to the past, present and future of the brand. They represent the timeless principles that make the waxed cotton Trialmaster a true outerwear icon.
First produced by Belstaff in 1948, the Trialmaster jacket was engineered to withstand the harsh conitions and gruelling physical demands of the extreme off-road motorcycle event, the Scottish Six Days Trial – now the oldest motorcycle Trials event in the world. Crafted from waxed cotton, the weatherproof design provided a water-repellent, wind-resistant layer while remaining breathable to help regulate the wearer’s body temperature. Style signatures including the buckled throat latch collar, adjustable waist belt and the four-pocket silhouette were added to ensure comfort and protection on the bike. The most recognisable feature, which lives on across the Belstaff mainline and moto collections today, is the tilted chest pocket – originally attached at an angle as a map pocket to allow for easy access while on the bike. The three new limited-edition designs retain these key features while introducing old and new elements for a fresh take on this functional outerwear staple.
The Trialmaster Tribute takes its cues from a 1950s Belstaff Archive design, capturing the qualities and motifs of one of the earliest iterations of the four-pocket jacket. Authentic to the original designs, the Tribute is made from a resin-coated outer – developed to mimic the look and patina of a well-worn vintage waxed-cotton jacket. It comes in a shorter and boxier cut than the present-day construction, with pivot armholes for ease of movement. The vintage-dyed checked lining, snap-in melton wool liner with herringbone binding and archive label complete this modern heritage tribute.
The Trialmaster 75 Edition puts a spin on the present-day design. Cut from our signature 6oz black waxed cotton, it’s refreshed with Belstaff bold blue trims, lining and hardware. The blue hue of Belstaff’s signature checked outerwear lining is a highlight, colouring the limited-edition waistcoat quilted liner, Phoenix patch and branded labels as well the corduroy trims and taping along the front zip. Inside, the classic checked lining is printed with a graphic script for a statement update.
The Trialmaster Concept looks to the future. It’s semi-transparent outer shell is made from water repellent taffeta and reveals the signature check and inner mesh lining beneath. An oversized angled pocket and the blue hue references early-era Trialmaster designs, while the black hardware, lightweight zips and rubberised snaps provide a modern edge.
Belstaff’s 75-year anniversary jackets will each be produced in a limited run of 100, making each a collector’s item, alongside the limited-edition anniversary pin badges that will be packaged with every Icon jacket purchased.