03/17/08

My new favorite clothing store

by 42atx704

I love this store. I "discovered" Martin + Osa in Los Angeles a few months ago when I sort of stumbled in to their store in the Century City mall. When I moved to Austin and found out there was a Martin + Osa in the Domain, I was downright giddy. There are only 18 in the country, I'm told. I don't know what it is exactly that I like so much about M + O, but I think it's that they've taken what Banana Republic used to have and freshened it up. BR has become a little suit-and-tie ish and lost the relaxed, comfortable casual feel they used to have. The quality of the clothes at Martin + Osa is excellent for the price point (prices are mid range, between Gap and BR). And the colors really appeal to me. Vibrant but not loud, mixed with neutral classics. I bought a beautiful purple gingham button-down shirt which, without fail, elicits compliments every time I wear it out (which is often, because I like compliments). Also, the staff members at Martin + Osa are fantastic. Friendly and attentive, but almost psychic about when you want to go it alone. But then right there when you need them. They really bend over backwards for you. They even offered to have a plain, basic t-shirt mailed to my house from another store (for free) because they didn't have my size (and they checked! they checked the floor, the mannequins, the backroom, starbucks a few doors down...). This t-shirt has to be the least expensive thing they sell, and they didn't even blink about it. In all, they've got it all. Great quality, great value, great classic style, great customer service, great layout...great, great, great. I love them. Love, love, love.