Blog: Crossroads Style

Paris Fashion Week 2019 was full of everything you could have possibly imagined. Gorgeous designs, amazing venues and celebrities galore, but did you hear about how Stella McCartney’s latest collection featured ‘upcycled’ designs?!

(Invitation to the AW19 show)

Stella McCartney, is no stranger to the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry. Both as a designer and an activist, Stella has been transparent since the very beginning about her label’s practices and she has continuously been on a mission to reduce her company’s environmental footprint. This past week, Stella highlighted the importance of environmental impact yet again by making the act of ‘upcycling’ the star of her AW19 showcase at Paris Fashion Week!

Prior to her show, Stella McCartney launched a campaign, ‘There She Grows,’ in an effort to raise public consciousness about the endangered Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia and to encourage donations for the cause. Celebrities and other strong social media players shared the campaign with their followers the week leading up to the AW19 debut, in an effort to start the conversation about the endangered region and on the runway itself, Stella made sure the conversation would come full circle through her ‘upcycled,’ hi-fashion designs.

The act of ‘upcycling’ involves taking old materials and creating something new with them. Stella worked with legendary fiber-artist, Sheila Hicks, to use second hand t-shirts that would have otherwise been sent to landfills, as materials to create eye-catching weaved knits that mesmerized the audience. In addition to using second-hand materials, she also used her own dead stock fabric from past collections as a way of reducing personal waste. Additionally, Stella partnered with Hunter boots and created versions of their iconic boot silhouette made from sustainable, natural rubber that completed her runway looks.

The bold hues and strong silhouettes that adorned the Stella McCartney runway were truly an ode to the Stella herself; beautiful, creative and innovative. However, more important than this beautiful collection, is the effort to bring sustainable fashion into the limelight at the biggest fashion event in the world. Stella has secured a seat as a pioneer in the world of sustainability and it is exciting to see other movers and shakers of the fashion industry making an effort to be more sustainable and focus on the environment, one collection at a time.

What do you think of Stella McCartney’s AW19 theme? Personally, I find it incredibly inspiring and it sure makes me want to reduce, reuse and recycle when it comes to my wardrobe. Crossroads is the perfect place to start your sustainable fashion journey. Rather than tossing out old clothing that could very well end up at a landfill, you can sell your gently-worn items for trade or cash in store.
You never know when someone will fall in love with a style you’ve decided to part with and that style will become someone else’s #Crossroadsfinds!

Diane Keaton has always had legendary style. Her signature menswear-inspired fashion sense has graced us for decades via films, red carpets, and off-duty moments caught by the paparazzi. Recently Keaton has seemingly been caught up in the world of #OOTD posts on Instagram and even though it’s only been weeks since her first, she has quickly become the Instagram influencer that we didn’t know we needed, but of which we are desperate to have more.

Redefining what style is, throwing out all the rules and not being afraid to be bold and go big – big hats, big belts, bit boots, big silhouettes – Keaton is a breath of refreshing air within the crowded era of identical Instagram style stars and “It” girls of the fashion and blogging world. Take a look at some of Keaton’s best #OOTD post thus far.

Ladies, have you ever been shopping at Crossroads and something from the men’s section totally catches your eye?! Well, this scenario regularly happens to me when I’m out shopping and truth being told; I’ve actually scored some of my most amazing #CrossroadsFinds by strolling into the men’s section! Maybe it’s the fits or the simplicity of the silhouettes, but some styles are simply better when they are borrowed from the boys! Here’s a list of five styles that I typically will venture into the men’s section to find!

Real Boyfriend Jeans

You can always shop for boyfriend jeans in the women’s section, but go ahead and give this style a run for its money by opting for a pair of real boyfriend jeans! Go ahead and cuff the hem if they are a bit too long in the in-seam and embrace the roominess because looser jeans are right on trend!

A Classic T-Shirt

The men’s section at Crossroads has quite a few racks featuring shirts of all styles and colors, so I like to skim through them for tees with bold graphics or even basics that are a bit worn in. Slightly oversized and super comfortable, men’s tees are great for loosely tucking into a pair of high-rise jeans or for tying up in a knot.

Denim Jacket

One of my latest and greatest finds from Crossroads is a men’s All Saints denim jacket! I have plenty of women’s denim jackets already, but I definitely like the more relaxed vibe that this oversized denim jacket adds to my outfits. Fun Fact: My boyfriend actually takes this #CrossroadsFind out of my closet regularly so that he can wear it for himself!

Blazer

Men’s blazers are a lot roomier and boxier in style, given the tailoring. Luckily for us ladies, menswear-inspired blazers are right on trend, so why not hunt for the real deal! I’m usually seeking blazers with a classic plaid or a window-pane pattern, but solid colored styles are a great find as well! So if you’re not seeing the style you’ve been manifesting in the women’s section, take a stroll to the other side of the store!

Button-Down Shirts

Men’s button-downs make fantastic layering pieces over a simple top, plus they are super easy to tie up in the front from classic pinstripes to cozy plaids, men’s button downs are a great style.

Celebrities often set precedents for new street style trends and I always like to keep an eye out for something a little different than usual. Recently, I’ve been noticing my favorite stylish celebrities, like Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Aniston rocking combat style boots, like Dr. Martens.  On the “heels” of all the ugly shoe trends we’ve had last year (pun intended, by the way), the chunky boot is just the newest style we are seeing dominate the fashion industry that is seemingly desperate to make ugly the new desirable. While not a style shoe I would typically wear myself, recognizing and following the ebbs and flows of trends, even those I may not particularly partake in, inspires me to try similar pieces or wear things a new way. Take a look at how to replicate the newest celebrity style trend below.

Contrast Feminine Pieces

Add some edgy to your spring floral pattern and dresses with the contrast of a pair of combat boots.

Pair With your Basics

Transform your basics with a pair of understated chunky boots for a simple update to your everyday uniform.

Wear Straight Fit Jeans

Trade your skinny jeans and heeled booties for a relaxed and comfortable straight fit jean with a pair of old school Dr. Marten boots.

Complete your Winter Look

Complete your winter outfit with a pair of chunky boots that will keep your feet dry and comfortable for all day wear and walking.

Pair with a Midi Skirt

Combine two of our favorite trends of the season by dressing down a leopard print silk midi skirt with a pair of edgy combat boots.

Add Edginess to your Blazer

Update your blazer and denim uniform with a pair of edgy chunky combat boots.

Utilize Printed Details

Combat boots can be feminine and playful with printed details.

We recently talked about how beige and browns are the surprising color trend of the season, but that’s not to say that the luminous pastels and bright neons that we fell in love with last year are going anywhere. In fact, if fashion week’s runways and this years’ red carpet looks are any indication – which, of course, they are – colors like marigold, fiery reds, living coral, bold blues, and vibrant pink will be on everyone’s style radar.

One of the biggest surprises is the resurgence of those vibrant pink shades. Pink can be somewhat of a difficult color to style. How do you wear pink without looking too adolescent? How does pink fit into a modern fashion world that totes sleek, chic pieces in subdued colors? Take a look at some outfit inspiration of how to dress pretty in pink in a modern world.

Tailored Separates

Tailored pieces will contrast the femininity of pink and add strength to create a chic look.

Outerwear

Second layers in feminine colors are especially beautiful as we come into the spring season and a great way to liven up an outfit of neutral colors or compliment an outfit of like hues of pinks and red.

Add Texture

Textured knits and bottoms in soft hues and pastel pinks create a feminine look without looking like a bubblegum princess.

Wear With Similarly Bright Colors

Pink doesn’t have to be the focus of your outfit. Paired with similarly bright colors will tone down the vivaciousness of the punchy hue.

Wear as an Accent Color

Of course, the best way to incorporate a color you may not be totally comfortable with, but interested in trying, is to use it as an accent color, like an accessory or a color within a printed piece.