March 17, 2022 Should I Donate or Sell My Clothes?
Good work! You’ve just completed a major closet clean and are now looking at piles of clothing you no longer love. The question of should I donate or sell my clothes? looms large as you consider your next steps for removing the piles of clothing from your home.
Here’s your simple guide for deciding what to do next!
To start, both options are excellent ones. They offer your pre-loved clothing a second chance at life in a new home. Donations provide affordable clothing options in traditional thrift stores like Goodwill, and buy-sell-trade fashion stores give you a chance to earn some cash or store credit for your current season, gently-used pieces.
Follow this 3-step process to take your next steps:
1. Choose Both
Buy-sell-trade stores like Crossroads buy great condition clothing that’s usually no more than 2-3 years old or classically vintage (like old concert t-shirts and mod pieces).
Thrift stores take clothing donations more broadly.
So, you can sell some of your clothing and donate some of your clothing. We’re already on to step 2 to talk sorting!
2. Sort by Age and Condition
Evaluate each piece of clothing and sort them into a sell pile and a donate pile.
Sellable clothing is in new or excellent condition and usually seasonal. For example, you’ll have a much better chance of selling a sweater in the fall than in the summer. Clothing should also be a classic style (like a denim jacket) or in a current trend. See our current trend guide for ideas.
Some of your clothing may be damaged. Let’s talk next about what to do with those.
3. Deal with Damages
If you’re tossing a piece you love because of a rip or tear, consider whether you may be able to salvage it. We did a whole post about how to mend your clothes over here.
But if it’s beyond repair, you’ll want to look for another option. Bustle shares some good options.
Now get those selling and donating bags out the door and on the way to their next home! For selling, you can find your nearest Crossroads location here.
Whether you donate or sell your clothes, you’re doing your part to keep used clothing out of landfills. Thank you!
March 15, 2022 How to Style a Maxi Skirt
We recently covered the mini skirt trend, but maybe you’d prefer to know how to style a maxi skirt.
We love them both, but we admit that the maxi skirt provides a lot more styling options. You can wear them to work, to a dinner date, to the beach.
In fact, we couldn’t stop scrolling our IG feeds for inspiration. There are so many great looks!
But we did our very best and narrowed it down to 9 excellent ways to style a maxi skirt.
1. To the Max
Oh, how we love how full this skirt is! With added frills on top, it’s a show-stopping look.
2. With a Tucked Sweater
Maxi skirts have great cinched waistbands that are perfect for tucking in lightweight tops. We think this tucked sweater looks lovely.
3. Under a Dress or Tunic
So smart! We love layers, and a maxi skirt works with an unbuttoned dress or tunic.
4. With a Tee
Keep it simple and pair a maxi skirt with your favorite t-shirt and denim jacket or bomber.
5. With a Ballet Top
A maxi skirt makes such a pretty silhouette. A ballet top enhances it.
6. With a Turtleneck
When the temperatures drop, a turtleneck is your go-to for a maxi skirt look.
7. With a Blazer
Add a blazer and you’re all set for an office-to-date kind of day.
8. With a Blouse and Vest
This look has us adding a denim maxi skirt to our shopping list! We find the blouse and vest addition are perfect.
9. In Mixed Prints
Go bold with a maxi skirt print, but don’t stop there. Match with bright colors and mixed prints for added fun.
Now, that’s how to style a maxi skirt this spring and beyond! We have plenty of other spring trends that we’re ready to style. See all 30 of them here in our seasonal selling guide.
March 10, 2022 Make Money Selling Clothes by Mail
We’re just days away from welcoming spring and itching to spring clean our closets and make way for new seasonal looks. If you have similar plans and are looking to turn that closet clean-out into cash, Crossroads has an easy way for you to make money selling clothes by mail.
Yes, you don’t even need to come into any of our store locations to sell! We have an easy 3-step way for you to send our expert buyers your clothing by mail for assessment and purchase.
1. Order a Bag
Order a bag right here on our website and we’ll get one in the mail to you right away. When ordering the bag, you’ll have the option to select payment by electronic deposit (via Zelle) or store credit.
Based on what your items are priced at, we pay a percentage in cash or store credit.
2. Fill the Bag
Fill the bag with your gently used clothing. We’re always looking for seasonal, on-trend pieces in excellent condition. See our current Selling Guide for ideas, or take a look at our detailed step-by-step guide.
3. Send Your Bag
Your Sell by Mail bag arrives with a pre-paid UPS postage label attached, so drop it off at your local UPS store or request a pick-up.
Then, just wait for our buyers to receive your bag and process it. You’ll receive an email about your earnings.
See, we told you the 3 steps were easy!
Now you’re all set to get that spring closet clean underway and make money selling clothes by mail. Start by ordering your clean-out bag with pre-paid postage here.
March 9, 2022 How to Style Chunky Loafers 7 Ways
They are absolutely everywhere, so we had to show you our best recommendations for how to style chunky loafers this spring. Each of these 7 looks is easy to accomplish and so stylish.
Keep scrolling to find your favorite, then stop into any of our store locations to see if we have your perfect pair on our shelves.
1. Show Some Ankle
Skip the socks and wear them with cropped pants.
2. With Stirrup Pants
Where do we find these stirrup pants? Our chunky loafers need to meet them.
3. With Hardware
Pick a pair with chunky hardware, then play them up with matching hardware on your handbag.
4. With White Socks
A simple move with classic style.
5. With Dainty Pieces
Contrast them with soft colors and flowy fabrics.
6. Preppy
Play up preppy, but make the loafers chunky.
7. With Shorts
Don’t forget how great they look with shorts, especially pleated ones!
Now that you have the rundown on how to style chunky loafers, take a look at the other fashion trends we’re loving over here in our seasonal selling guide.
March 3, 2022 Q & A with Jazmine of @thatcurlytop
If you’ve been following along with our fashion influencer series, you’ll be excited to meet the incomparable Jazmine of @thatcurlytop. We love her commitment to secondhand fashion and are crazy about the vibrant signature style she’s created. Who else can pull off a stunning snowy day look like the one below?
We adore your style, Jazmine, and are excited to hear from you! When did sustainable fashion first enter your life?
Because I grew up in a low-income community, I had practices that were unintentionally sustainable, like thrifting and mending clothes, consuming less, and reusing containers. However, it wasn’t until I went to college to study Fashion Merchandising that I began to learn about the impact the fashion industry has on people and the planet. After a year of learning this, I switched out of my major and transformed my fashion blog into a sustainable fashion one where I document my journey in that space.
What is the best secondhand fashion piece in your closet? Where did you find it?
It has to be a pair of gold hoops I found a few years back at a local thrift store. They don’t appear to be anything special; however, they’re one of my most-worn thrift finds. They go with almost everything I wear and make my curls pop. When you begin to wear something a lot, it feels like you truly begin to bond.
Are there any secondhand pieces you passed on that you still regret?
Honestly, I can’t think of a single piece. I tend to err on the side of getting something I kinda like because it always ends up growing on me. However, I do regret avoiding pricier vintage spots and pieces. I know I advocate for investing in higher-quality pieces, but when it comes to getting things secondhand, I’ve mainly looked at thrift stores and haven’t allowed myself to get true vintage pieces. But that’s recently changed, and I’ve found a few things I know I’ll adore and will last me a long time. Now I can only imagine the dream pieces I’ve never let myself see.
Any advice for people who are just starting to consider the idea of shopping for secondhand clothing?
Patience is key! When approaching slow fashion, finding the right pieces will take time, and that’s all part of the beautiful process. Whether it’s looking for your dream secondhand designer brand or that specific style you want to experiment with, the process will differ from buying something new. And honestly, I find it such a thrill to find the exact thing I’ve been looking for.
You made a BIG move from the West Coast to NY– so exciting! Which secondhand pieces in your life made the trip with you?
Ugh, one of the hardest things while moving was cleaning out my closet because we could only take about 10% of the items in my house. Unfortunately, my clothes couldn’t be that entire 10%. I ABSOLUTELY made room for my one-of-a-kind butterfly dress by @janellerabbott, which is basically a low-waste, wearable art piece. Also, my secondhand butterfly clogs, which I’ll be wearing every day as soon as it’s warm enough.
Thank you, Jazmine, for telling us more about yourself. You’ll find us continuing to follow your style!
If you enjoyed learning about Jazmine from @thatcurlytop, you might also enjoy our other Q&As with Kaitlin from @windycitythrifter, Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear, and Piera from @hipiera.
