Hi TREW friends and fam!

Kellyn Wilson here.

You may recognize me from some TREW ads, my short film Made in Voyage, or the functional fashion Substack newsletter I co-write called TOGS. But today, I’m here to talk about the amazing experience that was choosing the colors for this year’s Primo line!

I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with TREW in one way or another since 2017—first as an athlete and now as a collaborator and consultant on creative projects, colors, and designs. It’s been a dream to get to know a brand so closely over the years and evolve with people who make TREW what it is—people who understand an evolving ski career and see my value in new ways as I’ve gotten older.

Photo circa 2017 from my first TREW trip to the Blanket Glacier Chalet. Having no fun at all.

If you’re reading this now, you probably already like TREW. But I’ve got to say, as great as you may think the company is—it’s even better than you know.

Chris and the whole team at TREW are as good as it gets. They’re kind and caring, humble, trusting, listen to feedback, and do everything they can to make the best product for you and the environment.

When Chris asked me to help choose the colors for this year’s Primo line, I was thrilled. And honored! This is the line that wins awards year after year and is the evolution of the same jacket and pants that I’ve been wearing for seven winters now. I’ve stood on some podiums, tomahawked, and yard-saled in these kits. I know them well.

So many years of color!!

But I had a lot to consider when picking the colors. 

TREW is so great at being themselves. From the first pair of bibs they created, they embraced a not-too-serious, thumbs-up, glass-half-full, stoked-weirdos attitude.

The outerwear market is full of neutral colors and dark shades, as TREW has always made a point to stand out in the crowd. Knowing this, I wanted to keep the lighthearted energy that makes the brand what it is, use some classic TREW color-blocking, but bring in some intentional and new color combinations. Attention to the little details. Genderless shades, and a few mix-and-matchable options.

When looking for inspiration, I tried to keep my eyes peeled in unlikely places. Nothing was off-limits. Rather than looking at what other companies were doing or what Pantone color trends were, I tried to focus on colors that struck me when I saw them—random menus at restaurants, family garments, airplane pamphlets, heritage outdoor pieces, plants, vegetables, kids’ clothes. And then think about which of those fit into today’s market and if they were right for TREW’s brand.

COFFEE/BLUE

The first colorway I knew I wanted to make was a rich brown, almost burgundy, and cobalt combo. I really love the mix of one brighter and one more grounding color. Chris has mentioned for years that he likes to use color combinations that have a workwear element to them, and I think this brown shade achieves that.

I’ve been wearing this one this winter, and I have to say, it looks even better outside in person. The colors are so rich without being “loud,” and it’s flattering on everyone. Oh, and if you happen to be a Colorado Avalanche fan, then your jersey layered on top will match perfectly. (Happy accident?)

I’m real big on the little details, so things like zipper pulls and logo accent colors mattered a lot to me. Chris did an amazing job with the rope material for the pulls, which are some of my favorite details.

ORANGE/EVERGREEN

This colorway was inspired by vintage (and modern!) photos of people in the outdoors—green landscapes, blue skies and rivers, and people amongst it all in orange jackets and gear. I loved that orange is typically a genderless color, and while other brands may have wanted to put a more “predictably girly” color for the women’s version, I think orange is poppy and bright without playing into any specific gender.

I feel so strong and still so feminine in this one! A pop of orange around your face is so flattering on so many skin tones and looks truly incredible outside in the sun.

I’m obsessed with the knee patches (women’s pants rarely get these for some reason), and I love the various combinations for the men—navy, khaki, and the green/navy combo?! And the full spectrum on the Powfunk jacket! It’s just so fun.

I love this option if you’re more of a dark-colors wearer but want something safer in the outdoors. Functionable fashion, baby!

POACHED PEAR & DUST KHAKI

Another classically bold TREW color with so much spunk! BUT it can still be layered in different combos to get that real workwear feel.

The original idea for chartreuse came a few years back thanks to my Great-Aunt Zona’s jacket that she made from a bath towel. (Pictured on me, above right.) Probably my most-worn clothing item ever.

I just took this kit to Japan, and it photographs so well outside against the snow and trees—like the vibrant moss and lichen in the old-growth forests of the PNW. At first glance, it might seem like a supernatural shade, but this bright chartreuse is one of my favorite colors because it is so abundant in the natural world. It’s alive!

And with the option to pair it with the Dust Khaki? Just so cool. The men and women both have the option for a full Khaki kit, which (thank goodness) turned out to be the perfect shade of tan—not too naked or fleshy-looking, haha. Yay!

PINKBERRY

I’ll probably never be a pink girl myself, but I know, love, and SEE YOU pink outdoorsy girls. Thanks for bringing the glitter on chairlifts and being the best skin-track partners to us green gals.

You can thank Chris for this gorgeous hot pink for the ladies.

And I had no doubt that the men would love this pink, so of course, they get it too. The pink with the Dust Khaki surprised me as one of my favorite combos!

PURPS

The TREW community loves the purps! It’s so cool to see what people like year after year, and this color is clearly a favorite.

I also got to work on the creative direction for the shoot—

I’ve been loving the flash/blur action shots in ski and snowboard photos the past few years and wanted to bring that same energy into the studio.

I hoped this would recreate the movement of being outdoors and at the same time show how beautiful the colors themselves are by enveloping them in the whole frame. 

These jackets look phenomenal in streetwear and lifestyle settings, too.

Our photographer, the incredibly creative Brian Tobin, brought my vision to life.

It was such a special experience to be a part of this collection. I hope people have their best days ever skiing in these joyful colors. Maybe someone will be wearing one of these jackets when they finally try a new trick or ski a new run, or maybe you’ll spot someone in the lift line also wearing the thumbs-up on their shoulder and know you’re in good company. As TREW says best themselves, “Jump in our uptrack…we don’t mind spooning our tracks to make room for more.” Cheers to friends on a powder day!

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite colorway this year? What’s your dream kit color? What should we make next year—anything and everything!!

Thanks for reading,

Kellyn

TOGS by Hadley Hammer and Kellyn Wilson

For dressing in the mountains and the valleys below. 

SHOP PRIMO