Blog: Crossroads Style

There are some Instagram creators that magically deliver consistent and inspiring fashion content, and this is definitely the case with Piera of @hipiera.

She was so generous to accept my request for a little Q&A. Keep reading to learn more about her!

Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi friends! I’m Piera, a Brooklynite living in Los Angeles (like most relocated East Coasters). You can find me on Instagram sharing my sustainable fashion journey and tips on how to style thrifted finds. I just launched a new weekly series called #dressedbythedeck, which has been a fun creative challenge. You’re welcome to join in on it, too!

I like to balance the colorful images on my feed with unedited, real-life moments because social media is only a glimpse of what someone is really experiencing. I know, I’ve worked in social media for 10+ years and am a part-time content creator. Because of that, I often talk about mental health, community, and feelings. I weave in my passion for connecting with others through my work as the Social Lead at a startup called Quilt, an audio-only app for supportive conversations.

How would you describe your fashion style?

In a nutshell, I’d describe my overall fashion style as vintage eclectic meets art school teacher. My style depends on my mood and how I’m feeling each day. I’ll wear an all-black, simple chic outfit one day and rainbow vomit maximalism the next. The most important thing when I’m getting dressed is that I FEEL good, because sure you can look great in something, but if you don’t feel comfortable in it, who are you dressing for?

Thank you for naming Crossroads one of your favorite thrifting spots in LA! How did you come to find us? Do you have a favorite Crossroads find?

A few years ago, I was searching for secondhand shops and a blogger mentioned Crossroads. I was living in New York at the time, so I immediately went to the closest location.

As for my favorite Crossroads find, that’s a tough one! There have been many gems, but one of my favorites is a metallic pink crop leather jacket. There’s no label in it and the stitching is a little off, so I have a feeling it might be handmade, which makes it all that more special.

Most vintage and thrift shoppers have a burning memory of “the item that got away.” Is there anything you didn’t buy on a thrifting trip that you still regret leaving behind?

I’m someone who documents everything, so there’s an endless supply of photos and videos of things that got away. Ultimately though, I believe (and hope) the things we leave behind end up with someone who rocks the hell out of it! I do remember a vintage silk high-waisted pant and crop top set that I wish I scooped up though. It was cream and pink colored with delicate embroidery and pearl buttons.

Your colorful hair is part of your signature style. When did you start experimenting with different colors, and did something special inspire you?

I started experimenting with my hair when I moved to LA about six years ago. I left New York because I was burnt out from the hustle culture and working three jobs. Coloring my hair was a rebirth for me. And, it makes my inner child so happy. I recommend everyone try it; even with a wig, it’s an instant mood booster!

Thank you, Piera, for taking the time to tell us more about yourself and your amazing style! 

See more of Piera’s style at @hipiera.

If you liked this article, you might enjoy our Q&A with IG influencer, Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear.

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We love sharing how to style denim on denim, so if you’re nervous about trying it, we’ve gathered some outfits to inspire you!

Here are 9 excellent ways to style this look:

1. Finish with a Non-Denim Top Layer

2. Accessorize a Jumpsuit

3. Wear a Denim Jacket as a Top

4. Mix Light and Dark Denims

5. Aim for a Loose Boxy Fit

6. Try a Denim Skirt Look

7. Go Monochromatic with Light Denim

8. Monochromatic with Dark Denim

9. Incorporate Chambray

Denim on denim style is always fun to experiment with. Some may see it as a seasonal trend, but we consider it a classic look. Select one of these 9 outfits as your inspiration look and then stop in to any of our store locations to find the pieces you need to give this look a go!

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You may have heard about it, and it’s true! There are stores that give money for used clothes, and in many instances, you can walk into them today for cash or store credit.

Maybe you’ve heard of Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet? At Crossroads, we’re very similar.

Here’s how it works:

1. You clean your closet out and select pieces that are still in excellent condition. Maybe they never fit right or didn’t end up being selected over other favorite pieces.
2. Bring your items into any store location to sell them. In the case of Crossroads, no appointment is needed and you can even use our app to add your name to the selling waitlist before you’re even in the store.
3. Decide if you want cash or store credit for the items the store selects to buy from you.
4. Spend your cash or shop the store for new items to add to your wardrobe.

Wherever you decided to sell your clothes, here are three great tips for selling them.

1. Refer to Their Selling Guide

Most stores give you an idea of the trends and pieces they’re looking for with a selling guide on their website. Look for these before selecting your clothes to sell.

2. Ask About Consignment

If you have designer labels or higher-end brands, ask the store about whether they offer consignment. You usually won’t get paid until the item sells, but you’ll receive a larger percentage payout when it does. For example, see Crossroads’ consignment payouts here.

3. Look for Sell by Mail Options

If you can’t find a store location near you, you’re not out of luck. Sell by Mail options allow you to order a free bag with pre-paid postage that you can fill up and send in. Yes, that’s correct. You can sell your clothes from the convenience of home.

Good luck out there selling your clothes! It’s never a bad time for a closet refresh, and we hope to see you at our selling counter soon.

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We pay attention when you tag your #crossroadsfinds on Instagram, and it’s how we first noticed Barbara of @barbara.goes.wear and her SoCal style.

We were so lucky to connect with her recently for a little Q&A. Keep reading to learn more about her and her IG accounts.

Thanks for joining us for a little Q&A! Tell us a little about yourself and your IG account @barbara.goes.wear.

My name is Barbara, and I’m a Mexican content creator living in a small town in California. In addition to sharing my love of coffee shops and overpriced lattes on Instagram (damn those iced oat milk lattes for being so good!), I also enjoy using my small space on the internet to share fragments of my life that make me happy and connect with incredibly cool people whom I’d never have the guts to befriend in real life (shy introverted extrovert life problems). I used to put so much pressure on myself with my IG account to make sure everything was “aesthetically pleasing.” However, I’ve slowly learned to let go of the idea of made-up perfection. Instead, I now use it as a way to have fun, show up as authentically as I possibly can, and as a tool to support others!

We noticed you’re a Crossroads shopper! How did you hear about Crossroads? What has been your favorite #crossroadsfinds?

There’s actually a Crossroads location in the downtown area of where I live, so one day I wandered in with my sisters and we immediately fell in love with the concept of the store. Throughout the years I’ve found so many amazing pieces (which make this question hard to answer), but I think my favorite has to be a pair of Levi jeans some time ago, which I wore until they could no longer be worn!

In general, how do you describe your style?

I’ve come to accept the fact that I don’t really have a particular style. I love going with the flow and changing it up depending on my mood, what shows I’m watching, and whatever is going on in my life. Sometimes I feel like putting together looks that are inspired by French street style, other times I wear outfits that look like they could be worn by a toddler, but there are also days when I just throw on a good old monochromatic look. I think it’s really fun to try out different styles and combinations until you find ones that make you feel the most YOU that day. 

Your YouTube video about a road trip to Solvang just weeks before the pandemic started is crazy to watch because it really shows how innocent we all were to what was about to happen. Did the pandemic change any big plans you had for 2020-2021? Any pandemic lessons learned along the way?

Yeah, rewatching those videos is crazy to me now because it really feels like it happened a completely different life ago! The pandemic definitely changed my life and some of the plans I had. Not only did I lose one of my main jobs, but like other students, I wasn’t able to have a traditional graduation ceremony after completing my B.A. and celebrate that with my family. One of the biggest “pandemic lessons” I learned though was to see the value of life in the present moment, not to mention it really made me aware of all the ways that I wasn’t showing up for myself or the people in my life. 

Tell us what you’re up to over at @ahappymush! 

A Happy Mush is my fun project turned into my fun small business. I started making beaded rings as a way to distract me from the stress that school and the pandemic were creating in my life, but it turned into something more than just a distraction. It makes me so happy to use my creativity to make fun accessories like jewelry and even hair accessories that not only I enjoy, but others as well!

Thank you so much, Barbara, for telling us more about yourself and sharing your great style on Instagram! We’ll continue to follow along at @barbara.goes.wear.

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For years you asked: can I sell my clothes online by mail? And yes, Crossroads offers a Sell by Mail program for the continental U.S.!

It’s really easy to use the service. You order a bag right here on our website (it’s free!), fill it with the gently used clothing you’d like to sell, and send it off. The bag even includes a pre-paid shipping label.

Crossroads receives your bag in about 5 days, the bag is processed by our buying team in about 4 weeks, and you then get paid that Thursday by Zelle e-payment.

The handy graphic below shows you the complete process.

When you order the bag, you can select if you want your unpurchased items donated or returned to you for a flat fee.

If you’ve never sold clothing in one of our store locations before, we highly recommend using our selling guide to learn about the types of items Crossroads is most likely to buy.

And if you’re new to Sell by Mail, we have a number of online guides to help you too.

Our 4 Best Tips for Sell by Mail

Sell by Mail: A Step by Step Guide

Ready to give it a try? Order your free bag here.

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