May 15, 2025 3 Modern Fashion Trends Influenced by AAPI Culture
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have long influenced fashion through innovative design and cultural expression. From reimagined traditional garments to bold prints and soft silhouettes, AAPI style has left a lasting imprint on modern fashion. Here are 3 standout trends that reflect this vibrant cultural influence.
1. Elevated Streetwear
What started as a subculture has evolved into a global style statement, and many of its trailblazers are AAPI creatives. Designers like Jeff Staple and brands such as 88rising have helped define the fusion of luxury and streetwear, where graphic tees, oversized fits, and statement sneakers are the new go-to uniform. Rooted in individuality, AAPI streetwear blends East and West aesthetics with bold confidence, making it a favorite for fashion lovers who like to mix high with low.
2. Monochrome Minimalism
AAPI influence can also be seen in the clean lines and calming palettes popular in minimalist fashion. Designers like Phillip Lim and brands like MUJI popularized streamlined silhouettes that prioritize form and subtle sophistication. Examples include boxy blazers, wide-leg trousers, and layered neutrals. This understated yet thoughtful style is perfect for building a timeless wardrobe and proves that less really can be more.
3. Prints with Meaning
From the rich florals of traditional East Asian embroidery to the bright tropical motifs of Pacific Islander design, prints from AAPI cultures have been reinterpreted across modern fashion. Today’s trendsetters embrace these influences through silky matching sets, ornate graphics, and floral patterns that feel both nostalgic and fresh. It’s a stylish way to honor heritage while celebrating bold expression.
AAPI contributions to fashion go far beyond trends. Whether you’re drawn to sleek simplicity or standout graphics, you’re likely already wearing the influence of AAPI culture.
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May 13, 2025 Jobs in Sustainable Style
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for fashion into a career that makes a difference, sustainable fashion might be calling your name. From resale retail to eco-conscious design, this growing field offers a unique blend of style, purpose, and opportunity. Here are 5 reasons why a job in sustainable fashion is worth exploring.
1. You’ll Help the Planet—Daily
Working in sustainable fashion means you’re actively reducing the fashion industry’s environmental footprint. Whether it’s giving clothing a second life through resale stores like Crossroads, or educating shoppers about conscious consumption, you’re helping to keep perfectly good clothes out of landfills.
2. You’ll Be Part of a Growing Movement
Sustainable fashion is more than a trend—it’s the future. Consumers are increasingly seeking brands that align with their values. By working in this space, you’re joining a growing industry, while helping to redefine what sustainable style looks like.
3. You’ll Work with Style (and Substance)
Do you love putting together outfits, discovering on-trend labels, and curating clothing racks? Jobs in sustainable fashion, like store buying and visual merchandising, let you stay stylish while supporting ethical practices. It’s fashion with heart.
4. You’ll Find a Community That Cares
From coworkers to customers, people in this space tend to care about more than just clothes. You’ll meet fellow eco-minded creatives and resale lovers who are passionate about making fashion better for everyone.
5. You’ll Make an Impact, One Piece at a Time
That preloved denim jacket you helped price? It might just become someone’s new favorite piece. The small choices you make every day add up to real change in the world of sustainable style.
If you’re looking to get started in sustainable fashion, join the team at Crossroads Trading, where we’ve been helping stylish shoppers buy, sell, and trade secondhand clothing since 1991. Explore our open positions and be part of something both meaningful and fashionable.
May 8, 2025 Warm Weather Match: The Flowy Dress
There’s no better time than spring and summer to reach for a flowy dress. As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, our style starts to reflect the ease of the season. That’s where a flowy dress comes in: it’s breezy and chic. Wear one to the farmers market, when grabbing coffee with a friend, or just enjoying a walk in the sunshine.
What we love most is how versatile this piece can be. You can pair a floral midi with sneakers for an easy day look, or slip into a bold printed maxi with sandals for an instant weekend outfit. Add a blazer or a lightweight knit on breezier evenings, and you’ve got a go-to outfit you’ll want to wear on repeat. It’s one of those rare pieces that feels both relaxed and elevated, no matter how you style it.
Flowy dresses also have major secondhand potential. We’re always excited when one comes through our selling counter at Crossroads. They’re seasonally perfect, flattering, and come in endless prints, colors, and silhouettes. If you’ve been holding onto one you no longer wear, bring it in to sell and pass it along to another summer wardrobe. It might just become someone else’s new favorite.
Whether you’re refreshing your closet or shopping for something new-to-you, a flowy dress is a summer essential. Stop by your nearest Crossroads store to find a preloved gem or trade in something from your own closet. Either way, you’ll walk out ready for the season ahead.
Want to try a different spring or summer staple next? We’ve got plenty waiting in store.
May 6, 2025 Sell the Clothes You No Longer Love
If your closet is filled with pieces that no longer spark joy, it might be time for a closet cleanout. The good news is that you can sell the clothes you no longer love and earn cash or trade at Crossroads.
Selling In-Store
Selling your pre-loved fashion at Crossroads is a simple process, and it starts with gathering the pieces you’re ready to part with. We look for on-trend items in excellent condition from popular core brands like Madewell to luxury designer brands like Chanel. Bring in denim that still holds its shape, dresses that deserve a second chance, and statement pieces that deserve the spotlight. If you’re not sure what we’re currently loving, check out our latest Selling Guide before you start.
Once you’ve sorted your sell pile, bring your items to your nearest Crossroads location. No appointment is needed, and you can walk in and get on the waitlist in store or through our app. Our experienced buyers will review your items on the spot, and you’ll receive a percentage of what we price your items for. That means you can leave with money in your pocket or something new-to-you from the store racks.
Sell by Mail
If you’re not near a store or want to sell from the comfort of home, try our Sell by Mail program. Request a free prepaid bag, fill it with your gently used pieces, and send it our way. We’ll handle the rest.
This season, sell the clothes you no longer love with Crossroads. It’s more than a great way to refresh your wardrobe—it’s a step toward more sustainable fashion. By giving your clothes a second life, you’re keeping them out of landfills and helping others discover their next favorite find.
So go ahead: clean out your closet, find what no longer suits your style, and bring it to Crossroads. Your next great outfit (and some extra cash) could be just a trade away.
Ready to get started? We can’t wait to see what you bring in.
May 1, 2025 Pastel Clothing for Spring
Spring calls for a softer color palette, and nothing fits the season quite like pastel clothing. As the sun starts to linger longer and flowers bloom in shades of lavender, blush, and mint, we naturally find ourselves gravitating toward these light hues. A pale yellow blouse or a powder blue pair of trousers instantly bring playfulness to any outfit.
Pastel clothing works especially well for transitional dressing. These lighter shades pair beautifully with your everyday neutrals (think white denim, cream knits, and beige trenches). You can go bold with a full pastel moment by mixing and matching shades like lilac and soft green, or by layering tonal pieces in the same family. Either way, the vibe is cheerful, fresh, and totally spring-approved.
If you’re dipping your toe into pastels for the first time, accessories are a great place to start. Try a blush-toned crossbody bag, baby blue sneakers, or a pair of rose-colored sunglasses. Once you’re ready to dive in, we recommend pastel suiting, satin midi skirts, or oversized button-downs. These pieces are not only on trend but super easy to style.
Of course, spring is also the perfect time to sell your preloved pieces and refresh your closet with new seasonal finds. If you come across gently used pastel pieces while cleaning out your closet, consider bringing them into your nearest Crossroads store. We’re always on the lookout for great spring styles. And while you’re there, browse the racks for your next pastel gem.
Ready to lighten things up? Embrace the softer side of spring with pastel clothing that feels as good as the season itself. Trust us: your wardrobe will thank you.