Barbour and Belstaff – the big boys in biker jackets

Belstaff’s story is much the same, with the brand’s 1930s biker designs still proving to be popular today. During The Second World War Belstaff supplied soldiers with apparel, making the brand the only choice for a true hero in the public eye. Che Guevara wore one on his trip across South America, Leonardo DiCaprio wore one in ‘The Aviator’ and even Will Smith wore one in ‘I am Legend’ (perhaps the last one isn’t quite as cool…)Barbour and Belstaff are two companies whose names are synonymous with the biker jacket. From Marlon Brando to Steve McQueen – the biker jacket has become one of the most iconic menswear garments in fashion history. While biker style seems to be riding full throttle in the fashion pages (and since I recently treated myself to one) now is the perfect time to take a look at how these two companies have kept this style of jacket at the forefront of fashionable men’s thoughts both past and present.Both Belstaff and Barbour were founded in Britain: Belstaff in Staffordshire, 1924 and Barbour in South Shields, 1894. Like many heritage brands for men, both companies started off making functional garments for bikers, rural workers and pilots. Now, however, both companies have grown to be fashion favourites for both the man who wants the look from his favourite fashion magazine and the man who wants to keep dry on a moorland walk.