Blog: Crossroads Style

I’m turning the spotlight on our SoCal staff style this week. Let me tell you how this came to be.

Have you ever received one of those panicked emails from an Instagrammer, telling you they’d lost access to their account, and did anyone out there have advice or a contact to help them get it back?

You feel their pain, knowing they’ve worked years on building their community.

Well, our SoCal stores recently experienced this firsthand when their regional account went poof and vanished. No tactic could retrieve it, and knowing that this is no true tragedy–just a minor setback–our stores started a new account from scratch and started building again. You can now find them @crossroadssocal.

Now here’s where their style comes in. As one of their new followers, I noticed each store posting a photo of their team, welcoming back former followers who had found them again. And as I scrolled, I felt like I was looking through a spring style report. I knew our staff was stylish, but WOW, so cool to see it all in one place.

Belted jackets, split-hem denim, platform boots, retro stripes, graphic tees, sweater vests, chunky sneakers, slip dresses, athletic wear…the list goes on. But I don’t have to tell you about it, keep scrolling to see what I’m talking about.

If you’re inspired by our spotlight on SoCal staff style, you can now follow them @crossroadssocal. Along with posting the fun they’re having while working, they’ll share the best items coming into the store.

Did you know that ALL of our store regions have their own Instagram account outside of our main one @crossroadstrading? Yep! Follow your region, or follow them all:

Northern California: @crossroads_norcal

Outlet Store in Stockton, CA: @crossroads_outlet

Pacific Northwest: @crossroads_pacnw

Houston: @crossroads_houston

Dallas: @crossroads_dallas

Chicago/Evanston: @crossroads_midwest

New York: @crossroads_east

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I’ve been a buyer at Crossroads for nearly four years. When it comes to getting the most out of your wardrobe, my general advice is to shop for pieces with longevity: this will increase the resale value of your clothes when you’re ready to sell them. Fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and leather will last longer than an inexpensive polyester will. Even better, shop brands that use organic or recycled cotton, or utilize dead stock or biodegradable fabrics like Tencel.

What We Look For

In general, we buy seasonally. However, we also buy the best of all seasons. This means that if you bring in a great leather jacket in mid-summer, we’ll probably buy it, but just at a slightly lower price than in winter.

We follow trends, but our buyers also have a diverse fashion sense. We buy for any style and size as long as it’s fashion-forward and in great condition. We want unique, classic, quality items that represent the community where the store is located.

Preparing Your Clothes to Sell

When you’re ready to clean out your closet and sell your clothes, pull things you know you don’t want. Try on everything you’re questioning. Look in the mirror, but more importantly, ask yourself, how do I feel in this? Then, follow the next steps.

1. Inspect for damages.

Some wear like small holes in a vintage t-shirt may pass inspection, but stains will not. Check for stains across the whole garment. With men’s collared shirts, flip the collar and make sure there are no marks on the neck. Check the inner brim of hats. For both men and women, check a shirts’ underarms and the inside of pants.

2. Wash and fold.

Sprucing up your garments and making them more presentable can bump the price point, like using a Magic Eraser on scuffed sneakers. Always make sure clothing is laundered. Lint roll if necessary. Sew any loose buttons or replace missing ones. Fix a small hole if you know how to sew. A pill remover can revive the look of a fabric. Button, zip, tie, and fold your items to sell into a bag or bin.

3. Sell to Crossroads!

Find your nearest store location and continue to be kind to our planet by selling and shopping secondhand!

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Our attention has been officially caught by a growing spring trend: the dramatic collar. Maybe it caught your eye too on our recent selling guide, and we’re already convinced we’ll be seeing a lot more of it in our social media feeds soon.

We’re really drawn to the variety of them; you’ll find some with equally sweet cap sleeves, and some edged with pretty ribbon or lace. A dramatic collar blouse matches well with jeans but looks even better tucked into trousers or shorts. Extra credit points for patterned trousers or shorts. Simply fabulous!

Are you still wondering what a dramatic collar is? That’s OK. We’ve collected some inspiration photos below for you, so just keep scrolling.

After finding these photos, we’re even more excited about this dramatic collar spring trend. While we’re on the subject of spring trends, now’s the time to spring clean your closet and bring your clothes in to sell at any Crossroads location for cash or store credit. We’ve even put together some insider selling tips for you here on the blog and shared our list of the 4 types of clothing that sell best. Take a look, and we hope to see you soon.

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If you’re a Crossroads customer, you’re already taking part in sustainable fashion- good for you! In the last year or so, I’ve also started to include mending clothes into my sustainable practices. Not only does increasing the longevity of your clothes mean you’re keeping clothing out of landfill, but you’re also extending your time with the jeans or t-shirt that you absolutely love. And thanks to online tutorials, it’s so easy to learn how to mend your clothes. Below I’ve rounded up 3 that you’re most likely to search for.

How to Mend Jeans

Who hasn’t owned a favorite pair of jeans that you’re just not willing to part with, even as signs of wear become more evident. Not to worry: there’s a fix for that!

How to Fix Holes in Socks

Is it just me, or is there something very comforting about sitting down with a cup of tea to mend your socks? This is my most frequent clothing fix, as my favorite boots are very unforgiving to my socks. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is!

How to Repair a Hole in a T-Shirt

This is a must-watch for those who collect vintage t-shirts. Knowing that there’s an easy way to mend holes in knits means you won’t have to overlook the small damage on the next one that comes your way.

Well, that’s your starter kit for learning how to mend your clothes. Once you delve into these YouTube channels, I think you’ll find yourself wanting to fix all of your well-worn pieces. It’s like magic to us, so share your mending success with us by tagging @crossroadstrading on Instagram. We can’t wait to see it!

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Years ago I found a piece at Crossroads that has re-emerged as my current favorite: an oversized blazer. It’s just not any oversized blazer either, but a mint condition Escada one in dark gray cashmere with structured shoulders. Cue the swooning.

I’m not the only one finishing outfits with an oversized blazer these days. A quick #oversizedblazer search dug up loads and loads of looks to try. Mix in anything from jeans to leggings to sweatpants to biking shorts. Make it casual with running shoes or office-ready with heels and a handbag. And may we talk about belting? Cinch an oversized blazer with a belt or scarf and you’ll get yourself a whole new look to play with.

Keep scrolling to be inspired.

Just had to share my current favorite: an oversized blazer. My shopping trips to any Crossroads store have always included a deliberate stop at the jacket racks, where I’ve scouted and found all my favorite oversized (and cropped and fitted) blazers for years. Is this a current favorite of yours too? Stop by any of our store locations to find your own. Even better, bring in clothes to sell and use cash or store credit to add one to your closet!

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