Retail Therapy
Hold the irony & the skinny jeans: Mortar gets men to dress like a grown-up
Shirts at the new men's store, MortarPhoto by Jack Thompson
A wall detail at MortarPhoto by Jack Thompson
For men who yearn to dress like an updated grown-up, there’s Mortar, a new back-to-basics boutique on Westheimer. There’s not an embroidered, faux-tattooed or ironic piece of clothing in the store and that is just the way owners Iris Trent Siff and Sacha Nelson want it.
Concrete floors and clean white walls mimic a minimalist closet, one that is easy and quick to shop. Labels hail from Japan, New York and Santa Barbara and are meant for men who know what they like and what works for them.
“We focus on basics in classic colors that are well-made pieces instead of part of the disposable culture,” Siff said. Siff, who also worked at Abejas Boutique, and her business partner took into consideration the needs of men when buying and designing the store.
“We thought about what we could do for men who view shopping as task-based. They want to come in, get what they need and get out,” Stiff said. The duo achieved that goal by grouping items together clearly. Velvetmen and Martin T-shirts hang neatly according to color while pants and shorts line the opposite wall.
The Houston climate, and the ability to create multiple looks with a handful of pieces are also well-planned. As a result, most of the clothes can be worn throughout the year.
The modern denim lines are displayed on old pants starchers Siff discovered while getting lost at Installations in The Heights. Vintage machinery and raw, untreated denim marry well and Siff said the advantage of the denim is that the more it is worn and broken in, the better the jeans fit. The jean selection matches the high/low philosophy of the store with lines such Simon Miller, TripleWorks and Gilded Age ranging from $135 to $330.
Mortar’s accessory wall is another quick shop with belts, sunglasses and watches. Siff’s exclusives include Randolph Engineer authentic aviators for $99 and Italian sunglasses by LGR for $285. The selection and sizing is appropriate for innerloop professionals and cool suburban dads alike.
“This age-appropriate casual clothing for men who know the value of investment clothing," Siff said. "If you are looking for skinny jeans and ironic T-shirts, you won’t find them here."
The collection is available online and in Purple Brand's Galleria boutique. Photo by BFA for Crown Royal
The Crown Royal x Purple Brand collab features luxe textures, bold embellishments, and undeniable Houston energy.Photo by BFA for Crown Royal
