Blog: Crossroads Style

It’s now as easy to sell vintage clothing as it is to sell contemporary clothing, as this category of clothing is more popular than ever.

In the past, if you were looking to sell vintage clothing, you had to look for specialty shops that focused specifically on that fashion genre, or set up an online shop yourself.

However, fashion resale shops like Crossroads now dedicate a part of their inventory to vintage clothing, so your option to sell in-store has never been easier. Just follow these 3 steps to increase your odds of selling success.

1. Look for Fashion Resale Shops with Vintage Racks

This is the fun part. Check out your local resale stores to get a feel for what they buy. In particular, look for vintage pieces either mixed into racks or placed on dedicated category racks. In the case of Crossroads, we look for any style of vintage clothing as long as it’s fashion-forward and in great condition.

2. Properly Prep Clothes to Sell

A resale buyer has only minutes to evaluate each piece of clothing you want to sell, so it’s incredibly important that you give vintage clothing the ability to really shine.

Check for Damages and Stains

A vintage concert tee may still be sellable with tiny tears or holes, but no item will pass inspection if it’s stained. Check for stains in spots you might otherwise overlook, like under shirt collars, inside hats, in the underarm areas, and inside of pants.

Wash and Fold Neatly

Clean your items in advance so they smell and look their best. Use a sweater comb to clean up pilly sweaters, and iron the item if it makes it more presentable. The buyer wants pieces that will look amazing on the rack! Finally, fold each item neatly before placing it in your selling bag. This is a time when first impressions really count.

3. Sell to Crossroads

Find your nearest Crossroads location and sign in at the selling counter. No appointment is necessary, and you can shop the store and find yourself new vintage pieces to purchase with the cash or store credit you receive from selling.

These 3 tips alone will significantly increase your chance of selling your vintage clothing. Go ahead and get started!

If you join us frequently on our Instagram feed, you know we share Black-owned women’s and men’s fashion brands weekly. Don’t worry if you missed any in August, because we’ve included them all here for you.

Alyda

Alyda is a brand specifically for petite shoppers under 5’4”. They create classic styles in this specific size and fit, and the pieces are ethically made too! Visit their online shop to shop the entire line.

Sante + Wade

Shoe designer, @santewade, offers high-quality shoes for “women who walk the fine line between rebellion and convention”. Shoes are made in Portugal, and you’ll find hints of ‘80s inspiration, like their popular Coco boots. Check out their website to see more.

April & Alex

@aprilalexshop is known for its edgy and offbeat styles made from reclaimed fabrics. Made in London, you’ll catch subtle hints of the local flair in all their pieces. Take a look at their entire line on the brand’s website.

Chaos

Chaos is a fashion brand working in partnership with Saheli Women, an NGO community of female artisans. Pieces are designed in England and crafted to perfection in India. Get a glimpse of the entire line on their IG feed.

These 4 brand picks are only a few of the Black-owned women’s fashion brands we’ve featured on our Instagram feed. Join us there to see even more. You can also join us again on our website next month when we’ll feature our September selections!

If you spend time with us on our Instagram feed, you’ll see we share Black-owned clothing brands each week. Don’t worry if you missed any in July, because they’re all here!

A.Au

@shopa.au dresses are quite frankly the epitome of glamour. Scroll their feed and be in awe of the beautiful cuts, luxurious fabrics, and flowy sleeves. Soft, classic colors only add to the line’s appeal. Visit the online shop to see for yourself here.

Sika Designs

Scroll through the IG feed of @sikadesigns, and you’ll want one of everything. The brand’s dresses are both summer-ready and so, so sophisticated. Throw their gorgeous prints and fabrics into the mix, and you’ll stand out in every single one of their pieces. Shop the site here.

Muehleder

The spotlight shines bright on @muehlederlabel. The brand creates magic with neoprene. Yes, neoprene! The fabric is crafted into almost-sculptural pieces, and the rich colors they choose add even more depth. There are swimwear options too, right alongside dresses and tops. See them all on the brand’s website here.

Milano di Rouge

@milanodirouge creates luxury streetwear –one of our favorite fashion categories! Marble-print jumpsuits and denim crop jackets are just a few of their stand-out pieces. Visit the shop to see exactly what we mean. Shop the entire line here.

Salone Monet

Black-owned label @salonemonet is on a mission to bring color-inclusive nude shoes to the market. Their shoe line-up is now on the shelves of some of the biggest department stores and has even been seen on celebrities. There is a range of hues to choose from, so visit their shop to see if they have the perfect match for you. See it here.

These 5 picks are only a few of the Black-owned clothing brands we’ve featured on our Instagram feed. Jump over there to see even more. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our August picks!

For the last 2 years, we’ve been putting the spotlight on Black-owned fashion companies each week. There are still so many for us to talk about! If you missed our June picks on our Instagram feed, we’ve included them all here for you.

ANIMA IRIS

Philadelphia-founded @anima.iris creates vibrantly-colored leather handbags made in Africa. With summer finally here, we think their ZAZA GRANDE in watermelon hues may be our favorite. Visit the online shop to see all the pretty options here.

Sai Sankoh

Ah, is there anything as luxurious as beautiful resort wear pieces? Black-owned label @shopsaisankoh produces pieces designed by @sai.sankoh, a creator of light-as-air and flowy resort masterpieces like this Blue Eloise Goddess Kaftan. Shop the site here.

Chelsea Paris

@chelseaparisint is a brand that creates luxury footwear inspired by designer Theresa Ebagua’s African heritage. Designs are then crafted beautifully in Italy. Their Izzy style shown here is a customer favorite. See all the stylish pieces on the brand’s website here.

Lisa Folawiyo Studio

We’re excited to feature Black-owned @lisafolawiyo_studio. Using Ankara textiles, and working closely with craftspeople for finishing touches, the label puts attention to detail front and center. Shop the entire line here.

We’ve included only a few of the Black-owned fashion companies we’ve featured on our Instagram feed. Jump over there to see even more. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our July picks!

You may have seen fishnet fashion listed as a trend in our seasonal selling guide.

Some of our favorite pieces are fishnet dresses and tops worn over other pieces. But, we know the look can feel extra daring, so we encourage getting started with fishnet socks and tights first.

Fishnet socks and tights work with more shoes than you might think. Try them with loafers, boots, and sneakers.

Wear them with skirts, shorts, and underneath torn denim. They add a styling twist to looks that might otherwise seem expected or boring.

In fact, we had no trouble finding looks where the addition of fishnet socks or tights perfectly completed a look.

See for yourself:

The best part about fishnet fashion pieces like socks and tights is that they’re an affordable way to dip your toes into a new trend. If you dare, try adding fishnet or netting into your next look, then check out the other 29 summer trends we have over here in our selling guide.

You should also know that we’re now buying for summer! So, collect those no-longer-loved pieces from your closet and step up to one of the selling counters of any of our store locations. You can earn cash or store credit to refresh your wardrobe with the summer trends that speak to you.