August 2, 2022 5 Classic Fall Fashion Pieces
There are plenty of new trends for fall 2022– just check out our latest seasonal selling guide to see our picks. But we find that there are some classic fall fashion pieces that we turn to year and year again.
These are the pieces we usually invest the most into since we expect to wear them for multiple seasons. We look for high-quality pieces in the best fabrics we can afford. Sometimes the pieces have designer labels, and they are always treasured secondhand finds.
Since our stores are now buying and selling for the fall season, now is the time to stop in and update your wardrobe.
Here are the 5 classic fall fashion pieces we’ll be shopping for:
1. Blazers
Blazers are our secret weapon. Whether on a Zoom call or showing up for dinner with friends, a blazer instantly elevates any outfit. All of a sudden a tee and jeans are polished and chic. It’s no wonder we stock a few different versions in our closets too, including silk and velvet ones for special occasions.
2. Jeans
Once the weather starts to cool, you can find us shifting from a daily fashion diet of dresses and skirts to daily jeans and tops. This is the time of year when we invest in our new favorite pair. Or, if we’ve planned well, we’ve already collected the current on-trend denim cut, whether it’s flared, high-waist, skinny, or cropped.
3. Boots
There is more than one option when it comes to boots! While they work any year, the choice of style is personal. Some opt for riding boots, some pick a combat style, and others prefer ankle boots. Whatever you choose, they’ll make your wardrobe fall-ready.
4. Leather Jacket
A classic leather jacket is one of the best secondhand finds out there. We lean towards classic colors like tan and black, but don’t be afraid to try colored versions in popular fall tones like rust and red. If you avoid leather products, there are lots of vegan leather options that have the same high-quality look and feel.
5. Sweater Vest
A sweater vest is fun and adds that extra layer of warmth you may need as the temperatures drop during fall. There are multiple ways to style them too. Check out our blog post about just that here.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks. Besides these classic fall fashion pieces, we’ll be highlighting our latest fall trend picks over here on the blog. There’s more fall fashion to come!
Photos Via
July 28, 2022 Affordable Sustainable Clothing Finds
Despite what you might think, affordable sustainable clothing exists! The trick is to shop at secondhand clothing stores. First, you’re shopping sustainably by keeping pre-loved clothing out of landfill and giving it a longer life. Second, you’ll find that secondhand clothing costs considerably less than original retail.
You don’t have to give up anything when you buy used clothing. Look at all these categories of fashion you can find!
Special Pieces
Shopping for secondhand clothes is like a treasure hunt. Keep an eye out for unique pieces like brand collaborations.
Opening Ceremony x Vans Panther Set. Jacket, $24. Joggers, $18.50. Tote, $22.50.
Sugar Thrillz Dress, $32.50. Sam Edelman Shoes, $24. Crazy Horse Bag, $18.50.
New With Tags
Do you know how many people buy a new piece of clothing only to find out months later that they never wear it? Maybe it doesn’t fit them right, or it no longer matches their style. Selling it to a fashion resale store gets it out of their closet and into your hands. The piece has finally found a good home!
New Coogi Sweater, $85.
Vintage
Vintage clothing is very popular these days, and looking for these pieces in secondhand stores is a thrill of its own. You may even find a label or style you loved decades ago and are ready to revisit.
Vintage Paris Blues Dress, $22.50. Vintage Beaded Bag, $18.50.
Designer
Buying designer pieces secondhand makes them significantly more affordable. Plus, these fashion “investment” pieces will stay in your closet for years to come.
Gucci Princeton Mules, $265.
Evening Looks
Don’t overlook secondhand clothing stores when shopping for evenings and special events. It makes even more sense to buy these used if you think you’ll only wear them once or twice. Sell it back to the resale store to earn store credit for your next evening event.
Nicole Miller Dress, $32.50.
Finding affordable sustainable clothing near you is only a few clicks away. Check out our locations page to find the Crossroads store closest to you.
Photos Via
July 26, 2022 Fun Sporty Fashion Looks
Sporty fashion is the best; it’s casual, playful, and requires no athletic abilities.
Whether we’re heading back from the gym or not, we like the preppiness that accompanies sporty fashion.
It’s not difficult to style either! Let us share 5 pieces that define the trend and make it super simple to pull off.
Baseball Hat
Not only does a baseball hat look cool, but it covers up a bad hair day and offers sun protection for your face.
Sweatshirt as a Dress
Why not try an oversized sweatshirt as a dress? Buy your sweatshirts a few sizes larger and wear them with short shorts and sneakers. We really love the tube socks in this look too!
Mix & Match Sweatsuit
Instead of matching a sweatshirt and sweatpants in the same color, mix them up and give a sweatsuit outfit more interest.
Yogawear
A blazer, button-up, or tunic over yoga pieces make them ready for errands and lunch outings.
Varsity Jacket
We are big fans of the varsity jacket. Throw one over anything. It looks great whether fitted or oversized.
With back-to-school fashion on the horizon, we think the sporty fashion trend should be on your shortlist for consideration. Any of these options should be tested in the coming weeks!
Also, stay posted for fall changes to our seasonal selling guide.
Photos Via
July 21, 2022 Yes, You Can Mail In Clothes to Sell
For years, our busy sellers would tell us how great it would be if they could mail in clothes to sell when they didn’t have time to stop into one of our many stores.
Then, we started to hear from people who had moved away from one of our stores but couldn’t forget about it. They’d ask if they could mail in clothes to sell to us.
So, we spent months building a way to make our selling service available across the continental U.S., and we’ve now successfully offered this service for years. Our Sell by Mail option is a popular one for people with on-trend, gently used clothes that need to sell their clothes from the convenience of home. It starts with a request for a free mail-in bag with pre-paid postage and ends with cash payment via Zelle or store credit for when you have time to visit a store.
Sound interesting? It’s so simple you can see all the steps in less than 20 seconds. Take a look:
Start the process by visiting our online selling guide to see if you have any of the trends we’re currently looking for. Then, order your bag and fill it up!
July 19, 2022 Q&A with Miranda of @WhatMirandaMakes
Once you start following along with Miranda of @WhatMirandaMakes, you’ll want to get yourself a sewing machine and get creative with your thrifted finds. Or, at least start visiting her Etsy shop on the regular to see what she’s currently selling. We feel very lucky that Miranda answered a little Q&A for us!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Miranda Barrett, a designer and sewist based in Brooklyn and originally from Mississippi. My interest in clothing as a tool for both function and self-expression began in middle school when I had to wear a scoliosis back brace under my clothes for two years. Now I focus on slow fashion and sustainable design, which I share on my Instagram, @WhatMirandaMakes.
You’re really dedicated to sustainable fashion through thrifting and repurposing fabrics. How did you get started on this journey?
When I first moved to New York, I worked at several fast fashion brands and was shocked to learn that excessive waste is standard practice in the industry. That motivated me to reduce my own consumption by thrifting whenever possible and making my own clothes. I don’t think I could go back – unexpectedly finding the perfect fabric or piece of clothing is so satisfying to me.
We’re so impressed with your sewing projects, like creating a dress from a vintage bedsheet! When and how did you start sewing?
Thank you! I had a sewing machine when I was younger, but I didn’t learn garment construction until I majored in apparel design in college. I appreciate that I learned the traditional design process, but I also love seeing so many self-taught sewists doing thrift flips and designing for themselves. Using thrifted fabric or tailoring thrifted clothing are affordable ways to work on your sewing skills.
We can see you’ve set up an Etsy shop to sell some of your projects. What can people expect to find listed there?
My brand is named Marie Miranda, after my grandmother who grew up in Brooklyn. I make one-of-a-kind tote bags and accessories using deadstock and thrifted fabric. I love combining functional items with whimsical designs. My favorite bag listed right now is shaped like a fried egg (the yolk is a pocket!).
Thank you for sharing your #crossroadsfinds on Instagram. How did you find us, and do you have a favorite Crossroads piece?
I think I’ve been shopping at Crossroads for as long as I’ve lived in New York. I’ve found so many great pieces, but the best example of the thrill of thrifting is when I found a lime green linen top and perfectly matching wide-leg trousers at the same store, but they were from different designers and decades.
