Blog: Crossroads Style

Listen up guys, because men’s bomber jackets have arrived. Utilitarian to its core and with “cool” bursting from its seams, the bomber jacket will undoubtedly be among the anchoring pieces in your closet this spring.  

This week at Crossroads, we’re stocking our men’s sections with functional outerwear perfect for layering up in unpredictable weather. Check out some of these new arrivals below plus some of our favorite ways to wear them for style inspiration.
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Marble Print Nylon Bomber $32.50

Tan Nylon Bomber $32.50

Black Nylon Bomber $32.50

Freedom Mountain Anorak $48.50

Shop these men’s styles and more next week at all Crossroads locations!

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I wouldn’t consider myself a sneakerhead, but I sure do love shoes. And I’m hard on them—they were designed for outdoor activities, after all. They can pretty unpleasant after wearing them to parties or just the regular day-to-day abuse. I’ve been told that the first thing people look at when they meet you is your shoes. Those bad boys better be sparkling clean!

Treat the items that you value as well as they treat you. Your car gets you around, and after certain mileage you have to do maintenance. Well, the same thing applies to your shoes after some hard miles.

To help me do some sneaker maintenance I picked up the Jason Markk essential kit, but you can use any gentle brush and shoe-cleaning solution.

The shoes I’m cleaning are not only some of my favorite sneakers on rotation, they’re also #CrossroadsFinds that I picked up for less than $20 a pair!

The process is very simple and only requires three things: a brush, some cleaning solution, and a bowl of water.

The Fila before cleaning:

The Nike before cleaning:

The part of my shoes I most struggle to keep clean is the back of the sole, so naturally that’s the part I focused on the most.

With some light scrubbing and very little effort, I was absolutely blown away with the results.

The Fila after cleaning:

The Nike after cleaning:

As a frequent thrifter, I’m always finding sneakers that just need a little maintenance.  I’m very pleased with the results of this cleaning set, especially for the price. I purchased my set at a local Chicago sneaker store for under $18 with tax. You can find it on the Jason Markk website for just $16 + tax and shipping.  If you’re looking to clean your shoes, this kit is great!

Like new!

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It’s that time of year again… We’re starting to think about our spring and summer travels, and while vacation-planning is exciting, packing can be daunting. Lets face it;  with clothing, toiletries, accessories, makeup and everything in between, it can be the most stressful part of traveling, especially if you’re a planner! To make sure you’ve got all your essentials without overloading your suitcase, I’ve created a list of packing tips that I use before every trip.
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1. Create Outfits Ahead of Time
Instead of throwing in all of your favorite pieces and putting together your outfits during your vacation, create your outfits beforehand. You’ll save space and precious vacation time.
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2. Roll, Don’t Fold
I have found that rolling my clothes is a more efficient space saver than folding. Don’t forget that you can use every single nook and cranny—roll small things like socks and underwear and stuff them into your shoes.
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3. Carry On Your Essentials
Unfortunately, mistakes happen and luggage can be delayed or go missing. By packing all your essentials and favorites in your carry-on, you’ll still have what you absolutely need to get by even when travel mishaps occur.
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4. Keep It Simple
We all love shoes and accessories, but these are the items that tend to take up the most room in your luggage and prove troublesome for packing. Depending on your vacation destination and activities, you may only need 2-3 pairs of shoes, max. Keep your accessories minimal—hats and jewelry are fun but take up valuable packing space.
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5. Stay Organized
Make a list, and check it twice! Take time to research your destination’s weather reports and local activities, and make a list of items accordingly. A written list does wonders to simplify the packing process.

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With the number of military-inspired pieces we’ve seen on celebrities and bloggers, the utilitarian trend shows no signs of slowing down in 2017! One of the best things about the utilitarian trend is how easy it is to wear; while it’s known for its signature masculine pieces, you can effortlessly juxtapose them with more feminine details.

Take a look at how our favorite fashionistas rock the utilitarian trend!
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The easiest way to express your love for the utilitarian trend? Pick one color and build your outfit around it!

 
This androgynous combination is a classic. Find the balance between masculinity and femininity by choosing utilitarian outerwear that encompasses both! This jacket looks masculine and bulky at first glance, but it also has feminine touches like epaulettes and asymmetrical zippers.

Imitating Le-Happy’s edgy look is a great way to utilize the Crossroads army jacket you bought a few seasons back! Style it with your favorite graphic band tee, a pair of black leggings and some sneakers or boots for the perfect ’90s-inspired outfit!  

The utilitarian color scheme typically consists of navy blue, black and olive green, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with a bright pop of color! We love how this faux fur statement bag works with the rest of the outfit.

 
If you’re all about maximizing style with minimal effort, then a utilitarian jumpsuit is the piece for you! Throw a few accessories into the mix and you can easily wear this outfit to the office or a dinner afterwards with friends.

When a utilitarian piece is the focal point of your outfit, stick to modest prints or monochromatic colors. Style a long vest over a bodycon or black midi dress, and use a belt to accentuate your waistline. Top off this look by carrying a bag in a complementary color such as burnt orange, dark red or tan.

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When it comes to fashion, knowing your brands is key, especially if you’re shopping at Crossroads. Having knowledge of high-end fashion brands will help you out tremendously. The first three places I look when I walk into Crossroads are the designer fashion racks, the consignment items behind the registers, and the clothes hanging on the walls above the racks.

Some of the name brands I’ve found over the past year include: Off-White, Bape, Maison Martin Margiela, Kenzo Paris, Burberry, Versace, Rag & Bone, Vince, Joe’s Jeans, Massimo Dutti, and Billionaire Boys Club. That’s not even including everything I’ve seen that doesn’t fit me! If you see a basic item priced higher than you’d expect, there’s typically a good reason behind it. You can buy quality brands for 50-80% off that are gently used.

Massimo Dutti double monk strap shoes

Bape sunglasses

Kenzo loafers

Maison Margiela shirt

Off-White Jacket

If you’re just starting to get into fashion, I’d recommend following some fashion Instagram accounts for inspiration. Here are some that I follow:

Balmain
Givenchy
Gucci
Tom Ford
Balenciaga
Saint Laurent
10magazine
Vogue Italia
Ford Models
Virgil Abloh
A$AP Rocky
Jeremy Scott
Alexander Wang
Supreme
A Bathing Ape
IMG Models
Hypebeast

It might seem like a lot at first, but I promise following these Instagram accounts will get you up to speed on fashion trends pretty quickly. Good luck!

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