The Trialmaster remains today as elegant and ultra-masculine a piece of outerwear as money can buy – extraordinary,
considering its narrative begins over a century ago, with the end of the First World War ushering in the Golden Age
of Motorcycle Racing. Spotting the sport’s rise early and seizing the initiative – rather like a young Alfred
Dunhill had done with the London motoring bug - a Latvian Jewish immigrant by the name of Eli Belovitch, who had
spent the war supplying waterproof fabric to the British Army, created Belstaff with his son-in-law as a provider of
protective motorcycle clothing.
Within a few years, clients included Lawrence of Arabia, serial motorcycle land speed record smasher Joe Wright,
Amelia Earhart and another aviatrix, Amy Johnson (the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia), while the
Trialmaster jacket, launched in 1948 to weather the Scottish Six-Day Trials, quickly won over notables including Che
Guevara as well as McQueen. It made another notable silver screen appearance as part of Will Smith’s ensemble in I
Am Legend, whilst latter-day style saint David Beckham is another contemporary fan.
And it’s not hard to see why: waterproof, durable and exceptionally cosy and comfortable, with its cavernous and
ultra-secure four pockets, the Trialmaster – which these days is made in Italy - remains a triumph for starkly
utilitarian modishness; for style which militates against male fashion’s more effete nuances. Making a sweet
dichotomy of robustness and comfort, its pivotal armholes enhance the wearer’s mobility, whilst the pre-curved
sleeves are another ergonomic masterstroke. It’s also flattering (particularly when belted up), has a scent that is
redolent of exploration and adventure and will become richer in character, becoming more yours and more you, with
each passing decade.
Now available via The Rake, the modern version of the Trialmaster is barely any different to that in which McQueen
braved the Autumnal elements of Erfurt, East Germany, 56 years ago, right down to the jauntily angled top-left
pocket. Constructed from water repellent and wind resistant fabric with a central zip fastening which is concealed
by the placket, its neckline can be adjusted for a snug fit, while the cuffs are also adjustable.
Speaking on another occasion about track-based motorised pursuits, McQueen remarked: “Auto racing has dignity... You
have to reach inside yourself and bring forth a lot of broken glass.” It’s hard to think of a piece of outerwear
which expresses such inward grit so eloquently as this.
