by Jack F.Daniel S.Alicia B.John V.Blair H.
Stop #18I thought Motley was closing down? And this was back in February when it had its "Closing Sale" with discounts of 25% to 80% off. Oh well, I suppose South End is better off with Motley still being open. Like Alicia B. said, "Motley is just that - a motley of randomness." And that's probably what people like about it.Note: In February of 2009, Cindy and I embarked on a 48-hour eating tour around the greater Boston area. I called it the Boston Masticare - a bad pun off the Italian transitive verb "to chew." [Original Visit: February 15, 2009, 2:05 PM]I never had anything against Motley, never really loved it either. I would stop in occasionally and leave with something useless like stuffed bird refrigerator magnets (yeah, and I wasn't even at their home store). Generally they never carry anything I would think about wearing, as after I turned 19 I got rid of all my screen printed ironic t's and my distressed denim and started dressing like a 60 y.o. gay man, not one in his 20's, but buoyed by a fantastic lunch with Deepz at BG we sauntered in and had ourselves a look. Shopping with Deepa can be very, very good, and extremely bad. Sometimes you're at Saks and she pulls out perfectly cut cashmere sport coats that makes you look so, so hot and only costs, ehm, say, $2,800 or sometimes she almost convinces you to buy a puffy vest that does, in fact, look surprisingly good on you, but, seriously, when has anybody EVER needed a puffy vest? and then sometimes you're at Motley and she pulls out a teeny-tiny little pair of blue Diesel swim trunks and convinces you that they would be fun to try on.As I previously mentioned, half the time, I dress like a 60 y.o. man, and half the time, I'm still wearing clothes I bought in High School. After losing my Vilebrquin swim trunks in France, I was left with my current swim trunks purchased during my high school's senior trip. They're some blue and white striped number where I discovered, to my utter elation, that the white stripes turned see-through when wet, affording my classmates, and everybody since, a rather disconcerting view of my privates. Add to this the fact that they were getting mysteriously baggy and had a habit of slipping loose if while swimming in the ocean I was tossed by a particularly rough wave, means it was definitely time to get new swim trunks.Of course, little blue ones with a masculine floral pattern that looked like they would cover my ass cheeks, my package and my pubic hair and absolutely nothing else was not entirely what I had in mind, but I've learned to trust the Deepz eye, no matter the cost to your dignity.I popped them on, and to my surprise, hey, they looked kinda good on me. Not too tight, not weirdly loose around the hips like most men's wear, just a little bit gay but mostly just "maybe he's just European?". I came out to get a second opinion. "Hey, you look hot in those." Deepa says. "Yeah, you look hot in those." the guy behind the counter says. Whatever, I'm superficial, I bought them. Further browsing also revealed a green baseball t-shirt that has lately become a favorite of mine. So, said all that to say hey, if at first glance the store doesn't seem to have anything to offer, give it a second glance. You're more than likely to come away with a new favorite...or some stuffed bird refrigerator magnets.Motley is just that - a motley of randomness. From t-shirts and Levis to Diseal bags and hats, this place is a must-stop on your Tremont exploration. However, don't be surprised if you're unable to find something... or, like me, you find the most amazing thing. Some call that Retail Kismet. Or luck. Whatever it is, I had it the day I stopped in. Motley was going out to business. Then, they got bought out; so, they won't be going anywhere. Same name. Different management. This bodes well for business, I think, since Motley is a pretty popular place. So, I'm in a quandary. I found this place during their "everything must go" sale, yet found out, after purchasing an amazing winter hat and scarf, that everything must go because they're being taken over by another management team. So, this review, like many people, has a split personality. 3-stars for the Motley I saw - the marked down version of a retail hotspot. I'll have to go back in a couple months to check out the new stock and see what's become of this store. I suggest you do the same.I was only slightly impressed with Motley, they really don't have a wide range of items for men. They had some cool bags for the ladies, and a good selection of sale winter hats. I bought a cool hat for 50% off. They have a huge pile of Levi's jeans in the middle of the store, they aren't any special style, just the basic Levi's you can find elsewhere. I don't see the differentiating factor of this place from other shops like it, but it's local and it's good to support local businesses. Maybe I caught them between seasons, I will try back in the Summer and see what they have.Ever wonder what a gay man's closet looks like after he comes out? Then visit Motley.It's full of vintage, hipster, and futuristic stuff for all orientations alike. You'll find everything you always wanted and will never need. It's like a christmas store for grown-ups.Check it out. You'll find the awesomest stuff ever!
by rob c.
My usual solution for having no idea what to get people for xmas involves a day-long trip into the city to go search out strange and interesting things, because that always seems to me to be a good place to start. And happily, this little store turned out to be exactly the kind of thing i was looking for. Packed to the brim with interesting odds and ends, like an Urban Outfitters, but less crass and cynical, and a whole lot less corporate. And of course, it's smaller than my kitchen. weird t-shirts, interesting books, goofy little toys, and other stuff, exactly what i wanted. and the recipients liked 'em too, which was also nice.
