Blog: Crossroads Style

Fashion trends don’t appear out of thin air. They’re born from culture, community, and creativity. Recognizing where these styles come from not only deepens our appreciation for them, but also honors the people who made them iconic in the first place.

Black culture has been a major driving force behind what we wear, how we style it, and why it matters. Long before many trends hit runways or racks, they were being worn with intention and confidence in Black communities. Here are 7 fashion movements and trends rooted in Black culture that continue to shape the way we dress today.

1. Sneaker Culture

There is no doubt that we love our sneakers (and probably have too many pairs). The sneaker trend is credited to Black basketball players in the late 1960s, who didn’t find the traditional canvas tennis shoe appropriate for the game. By the 1970s, sneaker producers like Nike saw that the public wanted access to the shoes as well. And that’s where our much-beloved sneaker culture was born.

2. Logomania

Although the Louis Vuitton monogram was introduced on their luggage over 100 years ago, designer logos were not available to most people and were printed on limited products.

However, in the 1980s, Harlem-based designer, Dapper Dan, changed all that by printing designer logos across all types of items, from clothing to car interiors. Although this led to legal struggles with the designer houses and the closing of his business, Dapper Dan came out on top. Designer brands realized the demand for logomania and began to collaborate with him.

3. Hoop Earrings

Now considered a staple accessory in any wardrobe, hoop earrings go far back in history. Visit a museum of Nubian and Egyptian artifacts, and you’ll find beautiful pieces.

However, Black movements in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s brought hoop earrings into the modern era, as prominent activist figures like Angela Davis began to wear them again. Hoop earrings were back.

4. Nail Art

Like hoop earrings, nail art can be traced further back in history, but its re-emergence into modern pop culture happened in the 1980s.

The runner and icon, Florence Griffith-Joyner, stole the Olympics scene for breaking world records and the fierce nail art she brought to her races. Like art on a new canvas, it opened the gate for this fashion trend to spread globally. See a photo gallery of her gorgeous nail art here.

5. Streetwear

By now, the term streetwear is known to anyone who follows fashion. Designer houses produce their own lines of it through bucket hats, oversized pieces, and graphic t-shirts.

However, this style of clothing didn’t emerge from the fashion houses. It was introduced to the world in the late 1970s and early 1980s through hip-hop artists from NY and LA who have left an undeniable mark on how we dress today.

6. Athleisure

Black culture gets credit for perfectly blending athletic pieces with casual wear to create the athleisure look. The style naturally evolved from earlier trends in sportswear and high-end streetwear, and was then made popular by Black athletes, musicians, and fashion influencers.

We can’t imagine our closets without this style now.

Taken together, these trends reinforce a truth fashion often forgets: Black culture doesn’t just influence style, but defines it. Giving credit where it’s due isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about understanding how fashion moves forward by honoring where it’s been.

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Personal style emerges from our life experiences, individual tastes, and comfort with fashion risk, and this week’s interview is an example of that. With a style based in careful intention, Arnel Montenegro, our San Francisco Bay Area District Manager, dresses with confidence and curiosity at the forefront. From lifelong cowboy boots to camo overalls and quiet luxury textures, his style journey is all about feeling good and keeping fashion fun.

If we took a peek into your closet, what 3 words would we use to describe your personal style?

Which closet? (Hahaha, I have 3 closets). Hmmm…I would say fluid, retro-chic, and intentional.

What’s a piece in your closet that really feels like you at this point in your personal style journey?

I do love overalls and my biker jacket, but I would say cowboy boots. I’ve been wearing them since I was a kid and will continue to wear them until I can’t get my feet into them.

Do you have a personal uniform these days, or are you still mixing it up?

If I could, I would wear my camo overalls all day everyday…for the mere comfort alone. However, I love mixing it up, especially during the work week. That’s one of the many joys of working at Crossroads: you get to see a lot of different clothes and have the opportunity to try new things out.

What do you spend the most time thinking about when you get dressed: fit, ease, statement, or something else entirely?

For me, it always comes down to whether I feel good and confident in it, because my outfit always sets my mood (and who doesn’t want to feel good and confident!).

Is there a style or trend that you used to love but have completely moved on from?

I don’t get too heavily focused on trends in my personal closet because I don’t want to limit myself to what I wear, and I like switching it up daily. Besides, fashion is really cyclical, so everything you wore in high school will be trendy again in 10-15 years whether we like it or not, haha.

What styles/trends are you shopping for now?

I appreciate menswear focused on tailoring, silhouettes and fits. I like to have options too–not everything needs to be the same old cut and style in menswear.

Also, give me all the quiet luxury. Give me all the quality fabrics like silks, cashmeres, and beyond. And finally, I appreciate elevated workwear styles like Japanese workwear fashion.

Shop for your personal style favorites at Crossroads stores across the country.

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The collegiate look in menswear is rooted in tradition but endlessly adaptable. We find it strikes that sweet spot between polished and relaxed (like you threw something on, but it all somehow works!). Lucky for many of us, you don’t need a campus ID to pull it off. With a few thoughtful choices, collegiate style can feel current, personal, and simply cool.

How simple? Here are our 4 tips for getting the look just right:

Start with the Building Blocks

Tailored trousers or straight-leg chinos are foundational here. Aim for nothing too slim, nothing too baggy. Navy, khaki, charcoal, or even plaid give you lots of flexibility. Pair them with classic cotton button-downs or lightweight chambray. A slightly rumpled finish is encouraged; perfection isn’t the point.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Layering is where this look really shines, Crewneck sweaters, cable knits, and vests instantly nod to Ivy League roots. Toss one over a collared shirt and let the collar peek out just enough. For outerwear, think structured but unfussy, like a wool blazer or a corduroy jacket.

Add Finishing Touches

Footwear keeps the outfit grounded. Loafers, leather sneakers, or well-worn oxfords are all fair game.  When it comes to accessories, we lean towards a leather belt, a simple watch, or a tie.

Find the Balance

The modern take on collegiate style is all about balance. Mix refined pieces with relaxed ones. Pair thrifted finds with something tailored. Let your personality show through subtle details like rolled sleeves, a varsity jacket, or a sweater with history. It’s not about looking like you’re headed to class; it’s about dressing with intention and ease.

The takeaway? This look endures because it’s wearable, versatile, and rooted in confidence. Whether you’re heading to the office, grabbing coffee, or browsing racks for your next great find, the collegiate approach proves that timeless style is always in session. Shop or sell the look at Crossroads.

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If you love fashion, working in fashion retail can be one of the most rewarding places to build a career. It’s fast-paced, people-focused, and deeply connected to how style shows up in real life.

One of the greatest benefits of working in retail is the constant exposure to fashion as a living, breathing thing. You’re not just looking at trends on a screen! You’re touching fabrics, merchandising the sales floor, and seeing how customers make pieces their own. When sustainability is part of the mission (as it is in resale stores like Crossroads), that experience becomes even more meaningful. You begin to understand clothing as something with longevity and value, not something disposable.

There’s also a powerful sense of purpose that comes from helping people shop more thoughtfully. Resale fashion is about better choices. In resale retail spaces, you’re often part educator, part stylist, part cheerleader, showing customers that buying secondhand can still feel fresh and exciting. That daily alignment between values and actions is a rare thing at work.

Fashion retail is also an incredible classroom. You learn merchandising, inventory strategy, and customer service. These are skills that translate far beyond the sales floor.

Perhaps most underrated is the community. Stores become hubs where people who love style and sustainability find each other. Coworkers swap styling tips, customers share stories, and everyone learns something new every day. When working in retail is rooted in sustainable fashion, it feels less like selling and more like building something together.

Ultimately, working in retail can be a way to turn your passion for fashion into everyday impact: one outfit, one conversation, and one better choice at a time.

Learn about fashion retail jobs at Crossroads.

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Some wardrobe staples earn their place through sheer versatility, and few pieces work harder than a long black skirt. It’s one of those pieces that adapts to your daily routines, your style, and even your mood, without ever feeling dated or overdone.

Styling a Long Black Skirt

At its core, this skirt is a master of balance. Dress it up with a tailored blazer and sleek boots for work, or pair it with a vintage tee and sneakers for an off-duty look. Its length adds polish while allowing room for play: slits, pleats, satin finishes, denim textures, or soft jersey fabrics all bring their own personality. No matter the material, black grounds the look, making even bold styling choices feel wearable.

Seasonality is another reason this piece earns a permanent spot in your closet. In warmer months, it pairs perfectly with tanks, cropped knits, or lightweight button-downs. Come fall and winter, it transitions seamlessly with chunky sweaters, leather jackets, and ankle boots. The silhouette keeps outfits feeling elevated without sacrificing comfort, especially when you want something easy that still looks pulled together.

A long black skirt shines as part of a capsule wardrobe. Because it works across occasions, it reduces the need for single-purpose pieces that sit untouched in your closet. One well-chosen skirt can anchor dozens of outfits, helping you shop more intentionally and get more life out of what you already own.

There’s also something timeless about the way it moves. Whether it skims the floor or hits mid-calf, it brings an understated confidence that trends can’t replace. The simplicity allows your personal style to lead, whether that means statement jewelry, bold shoes, or a perfectly broken-in jacket.

Ultimately, a long black skirt isn’t about following fashion rules. It’s about having a reliable foundation that supports both experimentation and comfort. When your closet includes pieces that flex with you, getting dressed becomes less about chasing trends and more about expressing who you are, day after day.

Build your own wardrobe capsule at Crossroads.

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