February 17, 2022 5 Ways to Join the Sustainable Fashion Movement
There’s a lot of buzz about the sustainable fashion movement, and you may be looking for ways to get involved. We’ve put together the 5 best ways you can join the movement right away.
All of these habits reduce the impact of your wardrobe on the environment. Their main goals are to give clothing a longer life and to invest in pieces that are sustainably produced or repurposed.
Which of the 5 are you already in the habit of doing?
1. “Shop” Your Closet
Next time you have the urge to shop, try turning a fresh eye to your current closet. Many times we pack the racks too tight, hide things away in drawers, and overlook what we already own. A closet refresh is a great tactic for falling in love with what you already have! Reorganize your clothing by color, store off-season pieces so your racks can breathe, and display your shoes and handbags on shelves so you can see them clearly. Then, play stylist and put together some new looks for the week.
2. Look for Sustainable Collections
When shopping for new pieces, look for clothing that’s sustainably produced with recycled materials or organic cotton. Some of the leading brands are starting to produce these pieces, so support the efforts whenever possible.
3. Mend Your Clothes
Why not pick up a new sewing habit as part of your sustainable fashion discovery? One surefire way to extend the life of your clothing is to mend it. See our blog post with video tutorials and start learning.
4. Shop Secondhand
On those days you decide it’s time to add a new piece to your closet, shop secondhand! We have stores across the U.S. filled with gently used clothing and accessories that are looking for a new home.
5. Trade and Sell Unwanted Clothes
Even better, bring in your pre-loved clothing to a buy-sell-trade store to earn cash or store credit towards your next purchase. You’ll keep clothing out of landfills by aiming to get it into the hands of someone who will love it.
These are just 5 ways to join the sustainable fashion movement today. Start with one and you’ll see how easy it is to combine your love of fashion and the planet.
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February 16, 2022 Meet the Spring 2022 Fashion Trends
We’ve been patiently waiting, and it’s finally time to meet the Spring 2022 fashion trends!
We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below, but take a look at our complete Selling Guide for everything that made our list. We have 30 trends there to get you inspired. Now the official countdown to spring begins.
Maxi Lengths
Mini lengths are still as popular as ever, but maxi lengths have returned for 2022. Cue the long skirts and dresses.
Romantic Prints
Whether it’s big florals or dainty designs, fall in love with boldy romantic prints this season.
Sports-Inspired
No need to actually hit the court: just mix tennis pleats, track pants, and sporty sneakers into your look.
Kitten Heels
The return of the kitten heel is here, so find a cute pair that puts a little “spring” in your step.
Moto Jackets
This classic spring jacket returns for another season. A moto jacket makes any look cooler and can be worn effortlessly over a t-shirt and jeans, or over a flowy sundress.
Large Bags & Totes
Yes! Big bags and totes in soft leather and bright colors are here for spring. It’s time to find your perfect one. You know we have them stocked in our stores.
Besides our selling guide, we featured spring 2022 fashion trends in our latest photoshoot. You have to see the lookbook we created! Then, kick off spring with us by visiting one of our stores to buy, sell, or trade.
February 10, 2022 Q & A with Kaitlin of @windycitythrifter
We’re so happy when you tag us on Instagram and show us your Crossroads finds! After a while, we feel like we get to know you and your style very well. That’s exactly the case with Kaitlin from @windycitythrifter. We feel like old friends, having seen her amazing secondhand finds for years. We were way overdue for this little Q&A.
Read on to learn about life as an eco-stylist, Kaitlin’s IGTV series, and the elopement dress she found in our store.
Hi Kaitlin! Please share a little bit about yourself.
I’m a millennial Chicago transplant, originally hailing from Upstate NY. Style and performing are my lifelong passions, and I’ve been able to grow upon them in the beautiful Windy City. I’m married to my best friend, Mr. Windy City Thrifter, and we enjoy going on hikes with our rescue pittie and exploring how we can do our part to combat climate change.
We know you’re a long-time Crossroads customer. Thank you for that! When did you first find us, and are there any favorite #crossroadsfinds that stand out in your mind?
I first found Crossroads when I moved to Chicago in 2012. In fact, my first two Instagram posts were taken in a Crossroads dressing room! Hands down, my favorite Crossroads find was a cream button-down Free People dress that I found in June 2019, the month after my partner and I got engaged. I originally had plans to wear it for my wedding shower (which I eventually did in 2021). However, when we had to postpone our 2020 wedding and decided to elope, donning this dress made me feel so beautiful as I married my best friend!
You’re an eco-stylist. That sounds amazing. What is that role like?
As an eco-stylist, I help folks cultivate a more sustainable and budget-friendly wardrobe by styling them with secondhand pieces and helping create “new-to-them” looks from their existing closet. We connect on their wardrobe needs and goals prior to the session so we can pull and buy pieces with clear intentions. This way my clients feel confident about their purchases and how they’ll integrate them into their existing closets.
We noticed you’re creating content over on IGTV too. Please tell us more.
I love utilizing video to spread secondhand love, so over on my IGTV you can find some of my “Thrifty Wedding” content and “Intention-haul” series. I created my “Intention-haul” series in 2020 as a way to encourage others to join me on a journey of conscious and mindful consumerism. It’s a way to hold myself accountable for my own secondhand consumption. It has sparked incredible conversations in the community, and I believe the more we communicate in these spaces, the better we all do moving forward!
What’s your best advice for shopping in a secondhand store?
My absolute best advice is to go into the store with a solid idea of what you already own and a clear list of what you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Patience is also key. When we consume slowly, we’re able to make the most mindful and long-lasting purchases!
Thank you, Kaitlin, for spreading the word about sustainable secondhand fashion!
If you liked this article, you’ll enjoy our other Q&A’s with Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear and Piera from @hipiera.
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February 8, 2022 3 Trailblazing Black-Owned Fashion Labels We Covet
There are some labels that cross the selling counters of our stores and make us extra giddy. Today, in honor of Black History Month, we share 3 trailblazing Black-owned fashion labels that left a big mark on the industry (and our closets).
Off-White
In 2013, the late Virgil Abloh founded his Milan-based label, Off-White. His innovative approach to merging streetwear with luxury was born from an architectural background, knowledge of Chicago street fashion, and collaborative work with Kanye West. By 2018, sales and popularity proved that Off-White was the hottest label in the world.
Abloh later took his creativity to Louis Vuitton, where he became the first African-American artistic director at the renowned fashion house.
We’re always excited to see Off-White items from sellers, including popular collaboration pieces with brands like Converse.
Telfar
This Brooklyn-based label was founded by Liberian-American, Telfar Clemens, and is known for its genderless fashion pieces. It’s partnered with a wide range of people and brands, including Solange Knowles, UGG, and White Castle.
The Telfar shopping bag is its star piece. Crafted in vegan leather and embossed with the labels’ signature “T”, it consistently sells out and is often referred to as the “Bushwick Birkin”. We love when they come into our stores!
Fenty
The Fenty label was produced under LVHM from 2017 to 2021. It was founded by Rhianna, who became the first Black woman to head a fashion label with the French luxury company. The brand debuted with pop-up stores in Paris and New York. It carried a full line of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
The timing of the pandemic ultimately proved too much for the brand, but its sunglasses and jewelry often sold out and remain some of our favorite pieces.
Of course, this is only scratching the surface of trailblazing Black-owned fashion labels. Which ones would you name your top 3?
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February 2, 2022 Black-Owned Fashion Labels We’re Watching
Every Friday on our Instagram feed, we feature Black-owned fashion labels we’re watching. If you didn’t catch them all in January, here’s a recap of the 4 labels we shared.
1. DANZY
One label that has really caught our eye is the sportswear brand @danzydesignstudio. We adore a preppy look, so their tennis club capsule with Revolve is spot-on for this fun trend. Check out the looks on their website here.
2. Naclo Apparel
Fashion label @naclo.apparel was born out of the pandemic, a desire for expression during the stay-home order, and some masterful work with bleach processing. Find the piece that speaks to you! Vintage options are available too. Shop the site here.
3. White/Space
@whitespacejewelry creates delicate jewelry pieces made with recycled gold and adorned with ethically-mined gems. Each piece is made by hand as part of the “slow fashion” movement. See all the pieces on their website here.
4. Paskho
Patrick Robinson’s eco-friendly @paskho label is popular for a reason. Pieces are produced in the U.S. and guided by a commitment to minimalist design. The brand refers to its genre as high-performance lifestyle apparel.
This post includes only a few of the Black-owned fashion brands we’re watching. You can find even more featured on our Instagram feed. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our February picks!