No, they aren’t as preppy as J. Crew… but their website isn’t driving me batty either.
Martin + Osa has a store just a hop skip and a jump down the road from my beloved J. Crew at the Americana at Brand. It first caught my attention because their mannequins are beautifully styled – impeccably polished, and eye-catching (obv) even though the clothes are so simple. Their staff is always attentive without being pushy, and the fitting rooms are a dream: they remind me of the interior of a sauna at some posh spa somewhere (minus the sweating and hair-ruining humidity, of course).
At the moment, I’m not thrilled with the new collection they have online, BUT! Their online sale section is fantastic, and has probably twice the merchandise. Here’s what’s in my bag:
Summer sleeve scoopneck tee in marine blue, Martin + Osa
They’ve taken a basic tee and made it stand out by taking care with the details. The rolled sleeves are what ensured that this landed in my shopping bag, and the gorgeous blue doesn’t hurt either (though it is available in other colors).
Silk scoopneck blouse in ebony black, from Martin + Osa
Beautiful and versatile. I tried it on in “passion pink” in the store, and it just wasn’t the color for me, but the fit was lovely. In black, I’m pretty sure this will become a bi-weekly wear, and will stay in rotation well into the fall (it is southern California after all).
Weekend washed shirt in studio cream, from Martin + Osa
I would wear this shirt just like this… well, probably with the sleeves cuffed. I love it when retailers show you an item like it’s meant to be worn.
Cashmere + silk tee in shore blue, from Martin + Osa
Mmm, saving my favorite for last. Tangent: Sadly, this is a replacement for a J. Crew outlet purchase in a similar color that didn’t stand up well to a season of washing and wearing. I love the style of their outlet clothes, but suspect that the quality is not quite the same as you’d find in their traditional stores. I expect this lovely piece will wear better, and I can only imagine how soft it is. Beautiful.
More to love about Martin + Osa: free shipping, free returns, shop by outfit and layer your own look. You’re welcome. Here’s hoping they expand those last two features as they grow!
