Blog: Crossroads Style

Holidays mean dressing comfortably and warm, and the turtleneck ranks high on our list of the best Thanksgiving fashion.

We love them in stretch jersey and sweaters, and they pair well with everything from jeans, leggings, skirts, vests, blazers to leather shorts. In an ode to one of the best Thanksgiving fashion pieces out there, let’s take a moment to admire some excellent turtleneck styling.

High-waisted flared denim with a turtleneck for the win! Add a great pair of heels to complete the look.

A leather jacket is a turtleneck’s best friend. Keep it monochromatic for chic defined.

A silky skirt and sneakers balance a chunky knit turtleneck sweater.

A vest or jacket partners perfectly with a turtleneck and pleated trousers.

These vegan leather shorts and boots look amazing.

A blazer will always take a turtleneck up a notch. Upgrade to cashmere and wool pieces whenever possible.

What do you think? Do you agree that a turtleneck is one of the best Thanksgiving fashion pieces to own? If so, show us how you style yours by tagging us on Instagram: @crossroadstrading. We may feature you on our company feed!

The holidays this year will be different than any other we’ve seen, so maybe it’s time to consider another new thought: secondhand fashion gifts just make sense. Of course, the best reason of all is that it’s better for the environment, but have you considered any of these other reasons?

Sometimes Secondhand is Still New

Many times, sellers bring us items that just never fit into wardrobe, and they still have tags on them! Your recipient will have no idea that you bought it secondhand.

You Can Upgrade Your Gift

At Crossroads, secondhand fashion items are sold at about a third of their original retail price. This means you can get so much more for your money! Your gift budget can be stretched to afford designer pieces, or allow you to upgrade your gift from a basic piece to a heavy-duty one like a jacket or coat.

They Can Be Vintage and Special

We have nothing against another candle set or pair of slippers, but think how much more memorable your gift can be. Who wouldn’t want to receive a classic vintage Levis jacket or a special collection t-shirt?

We hope we’ve convinced you why secondhand fashion gifts just make sense. Keep them in mind this year as you start to make your shopping list. Make sure to follow our regional Instagram feeds too, so you can watch for special pieces that you know will be perfect for friends and family.

What would autumn be without a pile of long cozy scarves to complement your cold-weather wardrobe? Before you grab one in the coming weeks for a brisk walk, coffee run or commute to work, we’ve collected a few tips on how to style a fall scarf.

Go Big

A blanket scarf is our personal favorite. It’s heavy, soft and will keep you warm all the way to your toes. It’s best in the classic styling of tossed over one shoulder.

Keep it Imperfect

This rule is simple: don’t try too hard. If one side is a little longer than the other, you’ve got it just right. Think nonchalance.

Make it the Star

In a beautiful print or bright colors, why not make your scarf the main attraction of your outfit? Drape it loosely to your waist and show it off.

Make it a Duo

This adds more flair and more warmth: bring in a matching beanie or beret (a la Emily in Paris).

Get Creative

Want to take it up a notch? InStyle Magazine has put together a tutorial with 18 examples of how to style a fall scarf here.

We’re now off to pull those thick scarves out of the back of our closet. How about you?

The best fall and winter boot for the 2020 season is indisputably the combat boot. In a year that’s been nothing short of tough, it’s the accessory that marks the times. Famed fashion photographer Bill Cunningham had it right when he said, “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.”

It’s versatility only adds to its popularity. Here are just a few examples.

Combat boots pair perfectly with a jumpsuit and subtly dishevel a polished look when laces are loosely tied at the ankles.

Our San Jose, CA team member wears them in suede, cuffed with crisp dark denim (along with an incredible Burberry tunic off the racks of the store).

They come in designer brands too! You can’t look away from this Christian Dior pair, can you? These were recently found on the sales floor of our Fillmore St., San Francisco store and hit all the right notes.

In agreement with our choice? If yes, how would you wear the best fall/winter boot?

We can’t wait to see. Tag us on Instagram: @crossroadstrading.

We get it, it’s hard to find time to get to your local Crossroads and sell those pieces you’re no longer wearing or never put on in the first place. No worries, we’ve got you covered with our Sell by Mail program!

Things to Know Beforehand

• We know you spent good money on the clothes you’re sending in which is why we offer return service. For an $18 fee, we will send back any items we pass on.
• Payout percentages are the same as in-store: 30% in cash or 50% in trade.
• We do not offer consignment; a little confusing, right? This just means we will purchase your items outright. You don’t have to wait for your items to sell in our stores to get paid out. Hope that clears things up.

Step One: Request a Bag

You can request a bag on our website. Each bag is individually packaged in our Sell By Mail envelope and shipped to the address provided. Our primary form of communication is email, so make sure to provide a valid and regularly used email address.

Step Two: Fill it Up/ Send it Back

Once you receive your Sell by Mail bag you will notice a UPS label taped on. This is how we’re able to look you up in our system. Yep, that’s it. When filling the bag, make sure the flap can securely close; if the bag looks like it’s about to burst, consider reducing the amount of items.

I’m sure you’re wondering: well what should I put in the bag? We are looking for gently used, on trend items preferably purchased within the last three years. Here are some suggestions:

• Condition is everything! Broken zippers, stains, unwashed, unintentional rips and tears are avoided by our buyers. Make sure the pieces you’re sending are something you would consider an excellent hand me down.
• What’s it made of? Our customers are very fabric conscious. They love cotton, silk, wool, cashmere and leather. Check your labels!
• The more money spent on the piece, the higher the resale value. We are currently not interested in purchasing fast fashion pieces as their price points are too low to for our stores to sell competitively.
• Accessories are hot sellers; however, we do not buy jewelry through our program. If you send shoes, please be sure to package them appropriately. High heels can damage the bag and your other items.
• Style and age is very important. If the item you want to send in can be considered out of style, or is something you no longer see people wearing, chances are it’s something our customers are not looking for.

Once your bag is filled up, drop it off at your nearest UPS location. The labels on our bags are prepaid and only trackable through UPS. Make sure to ask for a drop off receipt for verification purposes. Once the bag has been scanned, you can expect it to arrive to our Northern California warehouse within seven business days.

Step Three: Now We Wait

The estimated processing time we post on our website is our best estimate from the date of the bag’s arrival to our distribution center located in Northern California. If you feel like it has been longer than what we’ve posted, don’t hesitate to send us an email: hello@crossroadstrading.com. We will get back to you with a more detailed timeline.

Step Four: Cash Out

Get cash for 30% of what we price your items to sell for, or get 50% in trade credit.

Step Five: Do it Again

If this is a program that works for you, feel free to request additional bags through our website. We love our repeat sellers, especially the ones sending in the brands, styles and one-of-a-kind pieces our customers are looking for. Just like fashion, our programs are ever evolving, so make sure to check back for any updates to our Sell by Mail program. What are you waiting for? Order your Sell by Mail bag now!