I see London, I see France, I see – Testudo?
In an attempt to capitalize on the college market, Victoria’s Secret has developed a new line of collegiate gear that targets university students, called the Pink Collegiate Collection.
Featuring 32 universities in the line, the clothing is available online and in stores in the area near the featured schools. There are 20 stores throughout Maryland and Virginia that carry the Terp collection.
Unlike the clothing found at the University Book Center, the Victoria’s Secret brand displays a softer side of Testudo, often exhibiting him surrounded by pink hearts or sporting the Maryland “M” amid a background pattern of the Pink puppy logo. Retailers hope this variation on the mascot will help to attract female students looking for a new and trendy way to show off their Terp pride.
“A whole bunch of girls came in to buy shirts for the football game,” Tomia Washington, co-manager of the Victoria’s Secret store in the Mall at Prince Georges, said.
Though some of the items are expensive – a fleece varsity-style jacket goes for $118 – other items – like a three-pack of Maryland pride underwear, a Testudo T-shirt or a tote bag – are only $25 to $30 each. Retailers say sales have increased steadily since students returned to College Park.
“We’ve been selling a lot more lately, because the kids are all coming back to school,” Washington said, noting that during this weekend alone sales increased from 30 percent to 50 percent each day.
“The jackets went really fast, surprisingly,” she said, despite being the most expensive item in the collection.
For those who have grown tired of bookstore Terp gear and want a different option, Victoria’s Secret offers an alternative, compromising nothing but Testudo’s masculinity.
“I think it’s really cute,” said sophomore ecology and evolution major Sara Eckert. “I saw some girl wearing [one of the Pink T-shirts] in Disney World, and my mom really wanted me to get one, too.”
The Pink brand, already a wardrobe staple for many college-age girls, is more appealing than the regular, run-of-the-mill clothing available on and around the campus, students said.
“I think most people just think it’s really cool that such a big brand featured us,” said sophomore finance major Amy Karidis. “Lots of people I know love the Pink stuff, and so the fact that they’re featuring Maryland makes it even better.”
Because it is a line of clothing manufactured specifically for women, the clothing is better fitted for them, as opposed to the fit of the usual unisex sweatpants and T-shirts.
“I already have stuff from the bookstore; I like [the Pink line] better,” said sophomore business major Bari Leff. “I bought a sweatshirt and sweatpants from Victoria’s Secret, and they fit a lot nicer.”
Though other schools like Clemson University and Boston College made the cut, this university was the only one in the area to receive a clothing line.
Victoria’s Secret says it is considering other schools for next year and offers shoppers a place to submit the name of their school for consideration.
Despite other schools’ envy, many Terps are not impressed.
“I wouldn’t wear it. I hate when they make sports logos too feminine,” said sophomore art history and psychology major Emily Morin.
Having Testudo surrounded by hearts and the word “Pink” also raises some doubts as to what extent rival schools will be able to “Fear the Turtle,” other students said.
“[The T-shirts] all have these little pink hearts on them, and I just don’t think Testudo needs to be that effeminate,” senior English major Danielle Clifford said . “I mean, they’re really cute and comfortable, but I would probably still buy stuff at the bookstore.”
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