Blog: Crossroads Style

Nolan is a Crossroads team member who loves fashion and has built a wardrobe anchored by the kind of pieces that feel thoughtfully collected. Grounded in comfort and ease (but always hunting for heritage labels and the perfect penny loafer), Nolan’s style feels both effortless and intentional. We had to learn more.

Hi Nolan! If we took a peek at your closet, what 3 words would we use to describe your personal style?

Streetwear, workwear, and vintage.

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

When I turned 21, I got a new pair of bright red framed glasses. They’re a key part of every outfit I have.

Do you have a personal uniform these days?

My everyday outfit consists of black loose-fit double knee Dickies work pants, a Black Sabbath band t-shirt, a pair of red Chuck Taylor Converse, and my red frame glasses.

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

My first thought is always comfort and ease. If I don’t feel comfortable in the clothes I’m in, it throws off the whole outfit.

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

Tucked in t-shirts. Without a doubt, I abandoned tucking in my XL t-shirt in high school and plan on never bringing that back.

What styles/trends are you shopping for now?

I’m currently looking for old label button up long sleeve t-shirts (IZOD, Eddie Bauer, Ralph Lauren). I’ve also been searching for the perfect pair of penny loafers.

We love how eclectic Nolan’s style is! Evolve (and revolve) your own personal style with us at any Crossroads location.

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We have spring cleaning on the mind, and it’s almost time to sell clothes online the easy way. With Crossroads Sell by Mail, you can turn your gently loved pieces into cash or store credit without ever leaving home. Think of it as your closet clean-out, streamlined.

We’re always on the lookout for current, on-trend styles in great condition. That means contemporary brands, coveted denim, statement pieces, and elevated basics that still have plenty of life left in them.

How It Works

Getting started is simple. Request a Sell by Mail bag with pre-paid label, fill it with your best pieces, and send it back to us. Our expert buyers carefully review each item using the same standards we use in our stores. You can choose cash payout (via Zelle) or opt for store credit (hello, wardrobe refresh). It’s resale that fits your schedule.

Want to increase your chances of earning top dollar? Focus on the styles and brands we’re currently loving. Think elevated everyday labels like Reformation, Ganni, Madewell, Levi’s, and Free People. Trend-forward silhouettes, quality fabrics, and pieces that feel current are always a win. When in doubt, ask yourself: would I buy this today?

The best part is that you’re giving your clothes a second life. Resale keeps great fashion in circulation and reduces waste, so you can feel good about what leaves your closet and what comes next.

If you’ve been meaning to declutter, now’s the moment. Grab your favorite pieces, pack them up, and head online to let us help you sell your clothes with ease. Your next outfit (and extra closet space) are waiting.

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Voluminous, sculptural, and a little unexpected, balloon pants have quietly become a favorite among fashion insiders who like their outfits to do some of the talking. Equal parts comfort and design moment, they’re proof that ease and edge can coexist.

Getting the Look Right

The key to making balloon pants feel modern is balance. Because the leg shape carries so much visual weight, the top half of your outfit should feel streamlined. We pair them with fitted ribbed tanks, crisp baby tees, and vests. Cropped layers also shine here: a boxy jacket or short cardigan creates a clean break at the waist and lets the shape below really stand out.

Footwear matters more than you might think. Sleek shoes help ground the volume and keep the look polished. Ballet flats, loafers, or pointed-toe mules work great, while a low-profile sneaker gives the silhouette an off-duty, downtown feel. If you’re going for a little drama, a platform sandal or architectural heel can amplify the fashion-forward energy without overpowering it.

Fabric choice is another styling secret. Lightweight cottons and linens feel relaxed and breathable for everyday wear, especially when paired with soft knits or worn-in tees. Structured twills or subtle sheens, on the other hand, elevate the look for evenings out and make the shape feel intentional rather than oversized.

Accessories should follow the same rule as the rest of your outfit: edit thoughtfully. A simple leather belt, a sculptural bag, or bold earrings add personality without competing for attention. The result is an outfit that feels playful yet pulled together—proof that balloon pants can be a statement and a staple at the same time.

See our current lookbook for other styles and trends we’re thinking about this season.

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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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