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News Apr 14, 2008 @ 11:02am

American Eagle Tries to Grow Up

Martin and Osa outfit This week, Banana Republic launched their Monogram line, which was supposed to be a little more classic but not more pricey than their trend-oriented career wear.

Now, American Eagle is doing sort of the same thing.

They’ve just launched a website called Martin + Osa, which has a bunch of I’m-grown-up-really outfits, that cost basically the same amount as actual AE.

Who is this stuff for?

We’re guessing college kids who have their first jobs - the same college kids who were just wearing their AE Aerie tank tops to early morning lectures.

We have to admit, it seems like a very smart strategy - sort of like Hilary Duff insisting her tween fans will grow with her as she does more adult roles (or ok, at least more adult photo shoots). Guess we’ll see if it works… though we do wonder if it overlaps with Madewell.

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posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 11:08AM

I think its more expensive than AE.

posted by iximisspiggyixi

Apr 14, 2008 11:10AM

I was at the mall this weekend and there was a new Martin & Osa store that just opened, so I checked it out...it's a very cute but generic store, they have the same sort of clothes as J. Crew, Banana Republic, etc...the jeans there fit SO well though so they get points for that.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 11:23AM

A Martin & Osa store has been open for about a year in Denver, acceptable jeans, bland everything else

posted by etoilee8

Apr 14, 2008 11:28AM

I had no idea Martin & Osa was AE. I should have known (the price tags are the same). They are a little pricier than American Eagle and they carry some items that aren't their own brand, such as London Sole shoes and Anna Corinna bags. All and all, I think the store is pretty good. (And they have pretty decent sales).

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 11:30AM

We have a Martin + Osa in Austin. It does seem to be more expensive than AE and very similar to J. Crew. The store has never inspired me to try on or purchase anything. Oh, and I've never seen more than 2 other people in the store at any given time so....not sure how far it will go.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 11:41AM

I agree with it being bland and more expensive than AE. I guess good for basics? I'd rather go to JCrew.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 12:06PM

There is one of these in my local mall too (outside of Seattle). I couldn't figure it out when I went in, but now I'll have to try the jeans. I had no idea it was by A&E!

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 12:51PM

I too, had no idea that Martin + Osa was connected to AE,maybe they should make that better known to people. I'm not a huge AE fan but I would have gone in for a peak knowing that, rather than walking by thinking "what the hell is "Martin + Osa?"

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 1:11PM

$158 for a v neck cardigan? no. thank. you.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 1:15PM

i kinda love the martin + osa website.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 2:23PM

I thought Martin + Osa was a store on its own because one opened in the SF Shopping Center about a year plus ago. I don't know what the corporate history is with AE and M+O, but perhaps there was some sort of deal that took place so that M+O could be incorporated to appeal to the moms/older sisters of the kids who shop at AE.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 3:03PM

they've had an M+O store in the Annapolis Mall for a bit now. Definitely just the Mom version of AE. Disappointing. More expensive.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 4:11PM

They have fantastic sales on cashmere.

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 4:51PM

1. Martin + Osa has been open for nearly a year in Novi, Michigan. In MICHIGAN. We're not the fashion capital of the world, so how did we know about this before you "fashionistas" did?

2. It's definitely more expensive than American Eagle. It's bland and slightly boring.

3. And, for the record, as a college student, I wouldn't wear half the crap they sell there. It's like J. Crew but with sketchy material.

Do your homework before you post stuff!

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 6:00PM

OH MYYYYY GGGGAAAAWWWWDDDD!!!!!
YOU ALL HAVE TO GO TO THE SHOP BY OUTFIT SECTION! ITS THE CREEPIEST SHIT EVER!!! LIKE THE HARRY POTTER NEWSPAPERS!!!

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 6:33PM

Martin + Ossa has been around for a while and doesn't seem to be able to get their sh*t together. Every few months there seems to be a massive 75% off sale to try to get last season's merch to make room for the next season. I'm surprised they're still around. I agree with everyone, very B-L-A-N-D !!

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 6:42PM

I worked for a local mag about 2 or 3 years ago and we got the press packet for M&O. The real pair were a kind of amazing adventure loving couple, but the retail version left a lot to be desired. Some of their knits were amazing, but nothing we ever seen before...

posted by williamwallace

Apr 14, 2008 10:29PM

they should incorporate some of the pieces in the AE stores. I mean, really, I see so many moms whenever I pass that store. I think that M& O would appeal to them more, no?

posted by guest

Apr 14, 2008 11:05PM

this brand is great. they've had a store in tysons, VA for over a year...they have really amazing rain coats, trenches and basics..and the style is completely different than american eagle....very classic..great weekend wear.:)

posted by guest

Apr 15, 2008 1:10AM

Madewell is part of J. Crew, so no it definitely does not overlp.

posted by guest

Apr 15, 2008 5:34PM

I am disappointed that you did not research the store and its brand history just a little bit more. I enjoy your website, but I live in Oklahoma and know that Madewell is under JCREW and Martin+Osa is under AE. I expect more from your website, but this could have been the error of an intern who wrote the post. You take the time to research the knock-offs of major designors, but not the simple difference between stores and their sister stores.

posted by hannah

Apr 15, 2008 6:34PM

Yawn. Yawn. Yawn. Even worse than American Eagle... and even more overpriced!

posted by guest

Apr 16, 2008 1:19PM

it's kind of funny this is the first mention of martin + osa. it's been in austin over a year now. the clothes are basic basic, wouldn't call them classic, but at most the staff is extremely helpful and product knowledgeable... i work at the same mall and have tried to give it a chance but it's just too much money for what you're getting, i mean, it's AE for crying out loud, i didn't even like that store as a pre-teen!