The History Of Belstaff
Belstaff caters to those who want to push every day to its limit. With almost a century of expertise under its belt, the London-based label has established a dedicated and loyal following, renowned for its rugged yet dapper collections rooted in motorsports, aviation and the Navy.
We are here to showcase the brand’s rich heritage, including its conception as well as some key questions about the brand and name dropping some of Belstaff’s famous wearers. Keep reading to dive into everything you need to know about Belstaff.
Founded in 1924 by Eli Belovitch and his son-in-law Harry Grosberg in Staffordshire, Belstaff began by producing all-weather jackets for motorcyclists. The name ‘Belstaff’ was derived from a combination of Eli’s surname and his (Staff)ordshire home. The company later created weather-protective jackets for other uses, goggles (primarily for the growing aviation market), gloves and several other garments intended to keep the wearer warm & dry before introducing the iconic Phoenix logo in 1969.
Eli and Harry's innovative attitude to development and design quickly put Belstaff on the map as officially the first company in the world with waterproof apparel crafted from wax cotton. Harry's dedication to unprecedented innovation led him all across Europe and Asia in search of new fabrication and textiles for his brand. By 1927, the pair opened an Army & Navy workwear-based store in Staffordshire to showcase their Belstaff line and trademarked 'The Belstaff Brand'.
Belstaff’s journey continued to focus on ‘the people’ & the pair began offering bespoke and durable clothing for aviators and race car drivers. It quickly caught the eye of big name adventures like T.E Lawrence and pioneering aviators of the time sich as Amelia Earhart. These innovative and stylish designs being sported by British aristocracy enhanced the brand image and got the logo awareness in front of the masses. The new found approval gained via these high profile names put even more pressure and importance on superlative levels of quality in order to retain their status.
Through the mid 30s the growing success of the Belstaff manufacturing business turned the pairs attention away from their Army & Navy store to focus on perfecting their own craft. They began taking consignments from retailers around Great Britain to sell Belstaff around the country. In 1939 Eli retired residing control to Harry and his wife Esther who helped push a new womenswear market focus throughout the 1940s, outfitting female icons such as Gracie Fields - Dame Commander of the British Empire.
The Belstaff Trialmaster
1948 birthed potentially the most iconic jacket from Belstaff to date - The Trialmaster. The jacket was designed for and took its name from the Scottish Six Days Trial, a motorbike event across the scottish highlands facing the most enduring weather conditions known in the UK. This quintessentially British jacket showcased the technical functionality and innovation Belstaff had to offer, with the jacket featuring pivotal armholes for enhanced rotation, pre-curved sleeves for an improved fit and weatherproof lining. The jacket is synonymous with Belstaff to this day - showcasing the longevity of the labels designs.
Other iconic Belstaff models such as the Racemaster, Roadmaster and Outlaw, have all stood the test of time remaining the rugged, yet elegant, within it’s transition into a premium quality, luxurious, label that has since become the brand of choice for Hollywood movie stars - with the majority of these models produced in Italy. These classic waxed Belstaff jackets are constructed by weaving 2-ply cotton yarn with a strong canvas fabric that has been treated by a combination of micro and technical waxes. This sturdy wax treatment provides a highly effective wind and water barrier, but it requires specific care methods if you want to avoid causing any premature damage to your jacket, such as going over your jacket with a cold sponge and re-waxing leather jackets after heavy downpours or washes.
The latest arrivals from Belstaff’s SS22 collection have just landed here at Stuarts. The Spring/Summer capsule pays homage to Belstaff’s roots with technical functionality seen throughout the collection – such as the Tactical Cargo Shorts, Atlantic Fleece & the Surge Crewneck.
famous belstaff wearers
Belstaff’s journey focused on ‘the people’ & the pair began offering bespoke and durable clothing for aviators and race car drivers. It quickly caught the eye of big-name adventures like T.E. Lawrence and pioneering aviators such as Amelia Earhart.
These innovative and stylish designs being sported by the British aristocracy enhanced the brand image and created logo awareness among the masses. The newfound approval gained via these high-profile names put even more pressure and importance on superlative levels of quality to retain their status.
Through the mid-30s, the growing success of the Belstaff manufacturing business turned the pair's attention away from their Army & Navy store to focus on perfecting their craft. They began taking consignments from retailers around Great Britain to sell Belstaff around the country. In 1939, Eli retired, residing control to Harry and his wife Esther, who helped push a new womenswear market focus throughout the 1940s, outfitting female icons such as Gracie Fields - Dame Commander of the British Empire.
is belstaff a good brand
Belstaff is known for its high-quality approach to garment creation and, throughout its rich heritage, has constantly innovated with high-quality materials. The reputation of the British brand is renowned within elite circles and has been seen in the wardrobes of many celebrities and those known for their iconic style. Garments within Belstaff collections are designed to last, so you can be safe in the knowledge that you are purchasing a piece of durable, quality clothing.
Where is Belstaff clothing made?
he production of Belstaff clothing occurs in the United Kingdom. The British brand is proud of its roots in Britain and you will find many Belstaff jackets within the collection crafted in the UK. For some time in the 2010s, the brand was bought, and production moved to Italy. It has now moved back to the UK.
Who owns Belstaff?
As previously mentioned, Belstaff was bought in 2017 by Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Since then, the brand has planned for growth after some financial difficulties. Ratcliffe is one of the world’s richest men and has a fleet of assets including football clubs, chemical groups and more.
What is Belstaff sizing like?
If you are eyeing up a new Belstaff jacket and want to know more about the sizing of the garments within the collection – you are in the right place! Belstaff’s outerwear garments are typically snug, delivering a tailored aesthetic for the wearer. Sizes per garment do differ, so if you are wondering if your chosen garment is true to size, check out the specific measurements.
How to spot a fake Belstaff jacket
Ensuring your Belstaff jacket is authentic is important, and we have identified some key markers to look out for when assessing the authenticity of a Belstaff jacket:
- Logo - The iconic phoenix of the Belstaff logo is a good starting point for your check. The intricacies of the phoenix wings on the logo should be comparable to the eye, and clearly indicate if your Belstaff jacket is real.
- Metal detailing - Another key element of a Belstaff jacket you should look out for is the metal detailing, including the Belstaff name. A subtle but effective way of checking for validity is to note whether the detailing has the Belstaff branding.
- Logo on the left - Most Belstaff jackets have the logo on the left sleeve. Whilst this isn’t designed on every Belstaff product, if it is, then make sure it is on the left-hand side of the garment.
Shop the latest collection from Belstaff at Stuarts London
Now that you know the rich heritage of the British brand, why not check out their latest collection at Stuarts London? The full range of Belstaff clothing features contemporary takes on traditional designs mixed with well-crafted garments that will be in your wardrobe for years to come. From the iconic Belstaff coats and jackets range to more casual garments, such as polo shirts and t-shirts that are the perfect option for everyday casual dressing – you will find it all at Stuarts.