Blog: Crossroads Style

If you haven’t done it before, this is the year to truly consider giving secondhand gifts. For the same gifting budget, you can upgrade your fashion gifts to a premium level by shopping secondhand. We think we’ll have you convinced after sharing what we think are 5 amazing secondhand clothing gifts.

With just a dry clean, and wrapped in tissue, the clothing pieces will stun like a new piece and show off your magical thrifting skills.

1. Winter Coat

Who wouldn’t want a brand-name coat in a classic long wool style or a cozy puffer style?

2. Silk Blouse

Nothing says luxury quite like silk. It’s an absolute favorite fabric for us.

3. Cashmere Sweater

Is there anything cozier in winter than wrapping yourself in super-soft cashmere? There’s a reason why buying it new comes with a premium price. But secondhand, you can buy it for a third of its original retail price.

4. Leather Bag

A well-structured leather or vegan leather bag never goes out of style. Opt for classic hues like black, navy, and tan, and then stuff with tissue before wrapping for the perfect gifting presentation.

5. Vintage Band T-Shirt

This one may take a bit more hunting, but if you’re a fashion thrifter like us, that’s just part of the fun! Look for bands that your recipient loves and this will be one of the most memorable gifts they’ll ever receive.

These are 5 amazing secondhand clothing gifts that we know your fashion-loving recipient will love. Why? Because we’re hoping to be gifted some this holiday season!

Make this year’s secondhand shopping trip even better by buying or selling your preloved clothes for cash or store credit that you can use towards your gift purchases. So smart!

There are two truths that become apparent every holiday season: our closets need a good cleanout before we’re gifted more clothing, and we sure could use some extra holiday cash. If those ring true for you too, let us share how to earn holiday cash by selling your preloved clothes.

We make it super simple at Crossroads, and even offer 4 convenient ways to sell your clothes to us. Here’s a quick rundown of each.

1. In Stores

In all of our store locations nationwide (except for our outlet store in Stockton), our in-store buyers evaluate and price your clothing on the spot and you receive cash or store credit right away. The only requirements are that you’re at least 18 (or accompanied by an adult) and have a valid photo ID.

If you want to skip waiting inside the store, you can add your name to our selling list from home using the Crossroads Trading Waitlist App.

2. By Mail

Don’t have a Crossroads in your neighborhood? You can still sell to Crossroads with our mail-in service. Request a bag and we’ll send you a roomy one with a pre-paid return shipping label. Insider tip: if this is your first experience selling clothing, we recommend reviewing our Selling Guide carefully.

3. Consignment

For your designer and higher-end items, our stores offer a consignment option with payouts up to 70% in cash (see below). If you have an item you would prefer to consign versus sell outright, just ask!

4. Drop Off

Most of our stores offer a drop-off service (You can check your local store location page to confirm). Simply let a buyer know you’d like to drop off your items, complete a brief form, and be on your way. Sellers have the option to return for cash or store credit after 48-72 hours (varies by store) or have store credit held on file until their next visit.

See, that’s 4 easy ways to earn holiday cash by selling your preloved clothes. We hope to see you (and your preloved clothes) soon!

There’s nothing like Instagram for scrolling through fashion and decor inspiration, and what we’re really drawn to are influencers who pull it off stunningly with thrifted finds. If you’re the same, we have a treat for you. Today, we’re sharing 5 Thrifting Instagram accounts to follow right now. Check them all out and see if any fit or inspire your personal style.

1. @aaricanichole

Aarica has fashion and home decor style for days. She creatively upcycles too, with a cool Etsy shop to show for it!

2. @acteevism

Megan McSherry weaves in photos of her stylish thrifted finds with educational tips about sustainable fashion and low-waste living.

3. @hannah_rupp

This stylist and self-proclaimed “outfit repeater” has an expert eye for thrifted fashion and shares her best finds on IG.

4. @cappuccinosandconsignment

If you love to mix luxury with pre-loved pieces, you have to follow along and see what Jessie pulls together.

5. @themetalromantic

Olivia spots those truly special vintage pieces and then makes them hip, modern, and new. Plus, she sprinkles in videos with her personal shopping tips.

These are only just 5 thrifting Instagram accounts to follow, but there are so many more! While you’re checking these out, follow us on Instagram to see the fabulous thrifted finds hitting the sales floors in our stores. We’re here to pair you with your next favorite thrifted piece.

If you didn’t know: every Friday on our Instagram feed, we share Black-owned fashion labels you should know.  If you’ve missed them, here’s a recap of the 4 brands we featured in October.

1. Silver & Riley

You’re going to love the luxe leather pieces from @silverandriley. The label focuses on creating high-quality, long-lasting fashion investment pieces that will last for years to come, like this structured belt bag in eye-catching fuschia. That’s a sustainable idea we can definitely get behind! Visit their website here.

2. Brother Vellies

@brothervellies is headed up by designer @aurorajames (yes, the one who made some pretty big headlines recently). Pieces are designed in Brooklyn, then handcrafted sustainably with artisans spanning from Nairobi to New York. These Greg Sandals with bamboo buckles are a perfect example of the exemplary result. Shop the site here.

3. C.ROSS MADE

If your jewelry aesthetic is bold, then you need to know about @c.ross_made. This Black-owned jewelry label features handcrafted polymer clay earrings that play BIG with geometric shapes. The earrings shown here are on our personal wish list. See all the pieces here.

4. PETIT KOURAJ

@petitkouraj was founded by stylist @nasrin.jb, and her pieces can be considered wearable art. The brand is based in Brooklyn but pieces are handmade in Haiti. Along with many, many fashion editors, we’re in love with these beautiful bags. Shop them here.

This post has included only a few of the Black-owned fashion labels you should know, but there are even more featured on our Instagram feed. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our November picks!

You may wonder what exactly to fill your Crossroads Sell By Mail bag with. Not to worry! In this post, we share our 4 best tips for Sell by Mail. It’s an insider’s look into some of the brands, fabrics, and styles our Sell By Mail buyers love to buy.

1. Focus on Brands We Love.

As a basic rule, we shy away from fast fashion brands because they were so affordable new they don’t hold a high resale value. Instead, we look for popular mall and boutique brands known for their high-quality pieces. Here are some examples of brands that our customers can’t get enough of.

Madewell’s styles are always trendy, fun, and elevated.

Patagonia makes highly desirable outerwear that suits our customers’ need for functionality and comfort.

Vans is an iconic brand whose shoes and apparel are constantly sought after by our customers.

Everyone wants a great Everlane piece. They use quality fabrics to create styles that are minimal and timeless.

2. Select Either Current or Classic Styles.

Our customers trust us to have the latest and greatest merchandise. They want to see the newest trends in our stores not long after they hit the runway or Instagram, as well as classic investment pieces they’ll wear for years. Our customers are very trendy, just like our sellers, so styles should either be on-trend like cropped, or classic like straight-leg denim.

Styles are always changing, but some never go out of fashion! We can point out that one thing that’s constant is a love for denim and leather. A signature jacket and dark denim are styles you can always send to Crossroads with a high likelihood of selling.

3. Opt for Fabrics That Stand Out

At Crossroads, we can’t get enough of natural fibers like cotton, silk, cashmere, leather, and wool. What your clothes are made of can turn your piece from a “maybe” into a “we need this!” We always check out those fabric labels.

Silks are elegant, sophisticated, and highly desirable. Before sending in a silk piece, though, make sure to inspect for pulls and stains.

It’s hard to say no to a structured leather bag, and it’s even harder to turn down a leather jacket. Again, make sure to check for any visible wear, then send it in!

4. Assess the Condition.

The condition of a piece could make or break our decision to purchase it. When inspecting an item, we ask ourselves: is this an item the customer could wear out of the store? We look closely for stains, tears, loose threads, missing buttons, and broken zippers. The closer to new it looks, the more likely it is to be purchased.

We don’t just purchase used clothes, we purchase new ones as well. If it’s new with tags, a current style, and has never been worn, there’s a great chance we’ll want it.

There you have it!  These are our 4 best tips for Sell By Mail with Crossroads. Ready to give it a go and earn cash or store credit? You can order your bag right here.