May 10, 2022 Q & A with Sarah of @areasontogetdressed
I discovered Sarah from @areasontogetdressed when searching for fashion inspiration on Instagram for our weekly blog posts. I immediately noticed she has a strong sense of style and knows how to mix pieces in a way that creates a signature style. I’m so lucky she was available to answer a few fashion questions!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m a radio journalist by day and a bit of a fashion enthusiast on the side. I live in Sacramento with my husband and our cat and dog. My day job has required me to move around quite a bit, so I’ve also lived on the East Coast and Gulf Coast in the past 10 years. We’re very good at cross-country moves at this point!
It looks like you have so much fun dressing up. Where do you find your fashion inspiration?
Fashion has always been a passion of mine. I even remember way back when I was like 4 or 5 and having very firm opinions on what dresses I preferred and for what reasons. Ha! Needless to say, I’ve always had a strong internal sense of fashion and love following that wherever it takes me!
I think my fashion inspiration is a combination of some internal preferences: some items just feel really “me” and always have. So it’s collars and lace, for example, and florals. I’ve always had a bit of a granny-chic aesthetic, I think.
And I think the other part of my inspiration comes from street style. I loved Nylon Magazine growing up, and all the cool photos of girls on the streets. I love figuring out the fashion of a city, and I really love seeing how different people can make a look their own. Some cities are a delight for people-watching and getting inspired! Since COVID, though, I feel like street style is a little different. Especially during the lockdown two years ago, I found myself looking to Instagram as the “virtual” street, which is how I decided to start my own style page.
Speaking of cities, you’re in one of our favorites: Sacramento! What does Sacramento style look like these days?
Amazing, yes!!! It always makes me happy to hear Sacramento getting some love. It’s an amazing and chill city, and I feel so lucky to be able to live here. I think Sacramento style tends to reflect both the Central Valley heat that hits from June through September, and the fact that it’s the closest major city to Tahoe.
Most people here, I think, are laid back and outdoorsy. The city is a little slower and less intense than the Bay Area about an hour away, and I think that’s reflected in the way people dress. I see a lot of people just wearing what they want, clothing that could take you from the city to a hike, whether it’s cargo shorts or floral dresses.
You’ll definitely see a lot more sneakers than heels on people though. I’d say the vibe is casual with layers, so you can shed them when it starts to heat up during those late afternoon summer days. I lived in Massachusetts for a few years, and the one clothing item I used to wear there constantly — but never here — is rainboots! You gotta dress for the dry heat over here.
Thank you for being a Crossroads shopper! What is your best tip for shopping in our stores?
So because I’m one of those folks who’ve bounced around on all coasts, Crossroads has been an absolute shopping staple for me because there’s always been a location wherever I’ve lived! I’d say the best tip is to go in with some clothing items you have in mind. I often have a list of “dream” items that I’d like to buy or think would be a nice addition to my closet but haven’t purchased new for a bunch of reasons. Thrifting is often the best (and most sustainable) way to fill those closet gaps.
But also, I’d say go in open to finding something you weren’t even hunting for, and listen to your heart. That’s the joy in shopping secondhand: there’s always a bit of a surprise involved!
If you enjoyed this Q&A, you’ll want to read our other fashion influencer Q&As with Jazmine from @thatcurlytop, Kerry from @kass_stylz, Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear, and Piera from @hipiera.
Photos Via
May 5, 2022 5 Loose-Fit Suit Looks You’ll Want to Copy
On the surface, the idea of a loose-fit suit might be a hard sell. A suit? That’s baggy? How would I even start to make that work?
But once you start paying close attention to the trend, brought to the style stage first by celebrities, you begin to see the appeal. The look stands out, it’s comfortable to wear, and it’s super fun to shop for. Especially if you’re a secondhand shopper like us!
So keep scrolling to take a look at 5 inspiring loose-fit suit outfits that impressed us on Instagram. Then, if we’ve convinced you to try the look, visit one of our store locations to find the perfect suit for you.
Look for Linen Ones for Warmer Months
Wear It With a Cropped Top
Match With Your Favorite Sneakers
Add a Crossbody Bag
Layer Under a Long Coat in Winter
The loose-fit suit is definitely one of the trends we’ve earmarked for spring and summer. Did you know we have 29 more of them listed in our seasonal selling guide?
Most of all, we want to see how you style the look. If you try it, please tag us on Instagram @crossroadstrading to share. You may find yourself featured on our brand feed!
May 3, 2022 Black-Owned Sustainable Fashion Brands
If you caught our Instagram feed during Earth Month, you noticed we highlighted several Black-owned sustainable fashion brands. Missed them? Not to worry. Here’s a recap of the 5 brands we shared.
1. Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese
Tracy Reese’s sustainable collection, @hopeforflowersbytracyreese, is responsibly designed and produced while keeping the beautiful silhouettes that @tracy_reese is known for. Visit the online shop to see all the pretty pieces here.
2. ASHYA
@ashya.co is a Black-owned and sustainable fashion line that produces beautiful travel accessories for men and women. The brand minimizes waste through small batch production and sustainably-sourced materials. Follow their feed to see their latest pieces. Then, shop their site here.
3. Chelsea Bravo
@chelseabravostudio designs gender-neutral clothing that’s made to order in Brooklyn. The label focuses on natural, reclaimed, and organic materials. This includes plant-derived ones! See all the stylish pieces on the brand’s IG feed.
4. Taylor Jay
Oakland-based @shoptaylorjay designs popular eco-friendly and elevated basics. The brand produces them with ethically sourced, recycled, and upcycled materials. Shop the entire line here.
5. Season Three
@season__three is a lifestyle shoe line produced in Northern Italy. The brand uses materials sourced from environmentally-conscious tanneries. We think they’re creating the most stylish hiking boot out there! Follow the line here.
We’ve included here just a few of the Black-owned sustainable fashion brands we’ve featured. You’ll find even more on our Instagram feed. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our May labels!
May 2nd, 2022 Staff Style Spotlight: Ryan
As part of our Staff Style Spotlight series, meet Ryan, a Store Manager at Crossroads. We asked employees at our Sunset Blvd. store to bring their style and star in our latest Crossroads photoshoot wearing their Crossroads finds. Read about Ryan’s personal style, favorite spring trend, and favorite thing about working at Crossroads.
Tell us about the fashion piece that “got away”.
These silver Calvin Klein boots. I loved them, but they were just too big. They went to a customer who loved them.
What are you dying to see come into your Crossroads store?
I love seeing designers come in that are current season or vintage. I love researching and authenticating designer items.
Tell us about your favorite Crossroads find.
I found this 80s western, electric blue leather fringe jacket and I will never get rid of it. It’s my favorite thing.
What are your favorite Spring trends?
- Oversized shirts
- Pops of prints
- Loafers – Always
What is your favorite part about working at Crossroads?
I enjoy leading a strong team and working directly with the community on Sunset Blvd.
Top tips for selling at Crossroads?
Always check our website! It gives you a great idea of what to bring in—Also, don’t be afraid to bring what you have!
Click here to see our Selling Guide.
Thanks for the Staff Style Spotlight, Ryan! Shortly after this interview, Ryan was promoted to Store Manager of our Brooklyn, New York location! As a Crossroads employee, there are always opportunities to grow from within! Visit our Careers page to learn more about working at Crossroads.
April 28, 2022 Spring Clean and Sell Clothes by Mail
If you haven’t done it yet, it’s time to spring clean your closet and sell your clothes by mail!
Most Crossroads sellers visit their local Crossroads store to sell directly at our selling counters. But for sellers who don’t live near one of our store locations, we created a convenient Sell by Mail option that’s very popular.
Start with a Spring Clean
We’re big fans of a seasonal closet cleanout. In spring, we store our heavier sweaters and coats and give our cardigans and dresses front row display in our closets.
At the same time, we determine which spring pieces we love, which ones we’re missing, and which ones we never really wear. Usually, those pieces are the ones that don’t fit as well as we’d like, or never really matched our style.
Check What Crossroads is Buying
Next, we go online and learn what seasonal trends Crossroads buyers are currently looking for.
Order a Sell by Mail Bag
Finally, we can order a Sell by Mail bag for delivery at home. It arrives with a pre-paid shipping label, so we can just fill the bag and mail it in! Here’s what the whole process looks like:
Now you have all the info you need to spring clean and sell clothes by mail.
Again, Crossroads store locals can also get cash or store credit into their hands even faster by visiting any of our store locations to sell on the spot. No appointment is necessary, and we buy during all open hours. Walk-in with the gently used clothing you no longer love, and we’ll take care of the rest!
