Belstaff: The must-have jacket for McQueen fans

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Belstaff, the Italian-based but originally English designer of upscale rugged wear and motorcycle garb, outfitted Steve McQueen back in the day in its Trialmaster jacket. Toughies Marlon Brando and James Dean were fans too.

Since then, everyone from Tom Cruise (in the ‘Mission Impossible’ movies) to Will Smith (in ‘I Am Legend:) has donned the sturdy, retro leather or nylon jackets to assume tough guy status. The designer’s push in Hollywood has been more aggressive than a bully in a schoolyard. Nicole Kidman wore one in ‘The Interpretor’; Scarlett Johansson sported one in ‘Match Point.’

Not only are these jackets mighty cool, but they have a patented PCM or ‘phase change’ fabric that adjusts with your body temperature. I dig the Trialmaster Excelsior jacket (right, about $500) in nylon. The retro touches like a belted waist and Nehru-like collar make it stand out. Plus, I, too, want to look Steve McQueen.

photo credits: McQueen, McQueen’s Machines; The Great Escape, Columbia; Belstaff