Tricolour Like it’s 1841

Whether it is at a football game, or sitting in a crowded lecture hall, it seems like everybody is sporting some retro Queen’s apparel. This isn’t a coincidence, and it isn’t some outside vendor that has created a one-hit wonder shirt (See “Wuck Festern”). Rather, it is Tricolour Outlet‘s new clothing, which has made the service (and its savvy fashionistas) the talk of campus.

When talking with Tricolour’s managers, it become immediately apparent that they want to  promote the traditions, history and spirit of Queen’s. They spent weeks over the summer in the basement of Queen’s Archives, pouring over old photos and scanning for fashions. The images were used as inspiration for the new (extremely popular) t-shirts and tank tops, and they were also the inspiration behind a completely re-vamped marketing effort; an effort that placed the Queen’s spirit and traditional at the forefront of the service.     

 ”[Our focus was on] bringing in the heritage and having a place to showcase the history of student involvement at our school. That is what really shaped what we get to do today – what others did in the past – and I don’t think it is displayed a lot on campus, so we really wanted to bring that not only into our physical space and our advertising, but our clothing as well.” – Becky Rose, Tricolour Outlet Head Manager, 2012-13

You are immediately engulfed in the breath of Queen’s history upon entering the service. Becky Rose, Head Manger 2012-13, noted that Tricolour Outlet wanted to focus around “Bringing in the heritage and having a place to showcase the history of student involvement at our school. That is what really shaped what we get to do today – what others did in the past – and I don’t think it is displayed a lot on campus, so we really wanted to bring that not only into our physical space and our advertising, but our clothing as well”. The ultimate goal is to promote and improve student experience and have the school spirit that is celebrated during Frosh Week continue for the remainder of the year.

Overall, the inspiration focused around one word – “retro.” Retro is related to history, and to the foundation for Queen’s renowned spirit. It is that sense of tradition and pride – as well as the spirit of its employees – that has driven Tricolour’s success this year.

Check out Tricolour Outlet on Facebook for all their new fashions, the Tricolour Express, & more.