Blog: Crossroads Style

Live music was made to happen in the summer, on late nights spent singing along with your favorite bands with your best friends. I’ve met some of my favorite people attending concerts, and watching a great live performer is my favorite way to spend a warm summer night.

This year’s music festival line-ups and album releases have us more excited than ever for our favorite touring performers. In anticipation of those shows, I’ve rounded up the top ten summer concert tours you’ll want to keep an eye on.

1. Kendrick Lamar
He won Coachella, and now he has a nearly sold out summer tour. If you’re one of the lucky ones to have scored a ticket, you’re likely seeing the hottest concert of the season.
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 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers
These ’90s legends never fail to put on some of the most energetic and honest live shows you’ll ever experience!
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3. Hans Zimmer
The most surprising act at Coachella this year is taking it on the road, and if you’re a movie score fan, you will love hearing your film soundtracks come alive. This show is perfect for a summer date night!
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4. Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is just a good time overall. Gather your girlfriends and dance and sing the night away with Bruno as he performs hit after hit.
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5. New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, & Paula Abdul
If you’re “old” enough (like me!), this show will be nostalgic perfection.
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6. Future
Another show that should not, could not, will not be missed this summer! If you love live music and energetic performers, be sure not to miss Future on tour.
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7. Jason Aldean
I know not everyone is a country music fan, but if you are, you’re probably planning on going to at least one of Jason Aldean’s highly anticipated live shows.
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8. Britney Spears
Not technically a tour, but the last year of Britney’s Vegas residency is sure to be one of the hottest shows that you can attend this summer.
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9. Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull
These two should never tour without each other! Enrique and Pitbull put on one of the hottest shows, and you can be sure there will be guest performers making appearances left and right!
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10. John Mayer
John Mayer has been out of the spotlight for quite some time, and I expect nothing but good surprises to come from his new music.

Florals for spring: groundbreaking? Hardly. Still, florals are a universally flattering print that will always be a classic. Before we head into the high heats of summer, take advantage of spring’s beautiful weather and get the most out of your floral prints this season. Check out some of my favorite fresh ways to incorporate florals into your wardrobe!

Off-the-Shoulder
Try one of this year’s hottest trends for an updated floral look.

Lady-Like Florals
Finding the perfect spring occasion dress can feel nearly impossible, but Lucy’s small print daisy wrap dress has everything you need.

Edgy Florals
If a floral print is too girly for you, look for a piece that has edgier details, like this sheer crop top with a modern embroidered applique.

Accessory Pop
If your style is a bit more minimalistic, add a floral pop in your shoes, bag, or jewelry.

Floral Print-Mixing
Dare to be bold and mix together different floral prints, like Maria did in her playful outfit above.

Patch It Up
Breathe some new life into your old denim pieces by adding floral patches.

Dark Florals
I absolutely love a rich, dark floral print—like the one in Blair’s jumpsuit—as opposed to the usual, more expected bright colors you see in spring.

This week, our new arrivals include easy-to-layer dresses, tanks, and other unexpected pieces that let you pile on the style this spring! These pieces are available now at Crossroads stores. Take a look:

Layer with Leather

Pink Wrap Tulip Dress ($48.50): Just add your favorite leather jacket for an instant Pink Ladies vibe.

Layer your Accessories

Layer up our Breezy Shift Dress ($35) with a straw sun hat and your favorite mini crossbody bag for on-the-go style.

Layering Tanks

Soft Chenille Tank ($30): We love this super-soft tank. Tip: For an on-trend throwback, layer this piece over a plain white tee.

Layering with Collared Blouses

Marigold Collared Blouse ($35) worn under our Ribbed Slip Dress ($42.50).

No Layers

If you’re not one for layering, keep it simple with our cutout back Constellations Shift ($45).
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Shop these layers for spring and more this weekend at Crossroads! And come on in with your gently used fashions—it’s never too late for spring-cleaning.

Chicago is known for many things: deep dish pizza, great museums and galleries, and the beauty of the city itself. It’s a little less known for all the creative and fashionable people who reside here, but I’m looking to help change that. I had the opportunity to interview some of the most stylish bloggers/creatives I follow, and the results were inspiring beyond belief. The first two people were Brandon and Desirée—a creative and a blogger, respectively.

1. How would you define style? 

Desirée: Style is your personality that comes across in your appearance. It can be the way you clothe yourself or the accessories you wear.

Brandon: Style is personal expression meets visuals. It can be the clothing, it can be accessories, it can be nail polish, it can be beads, it can be confidence. For me, it’s a way to express myself through the way I present myself.

2. David Bowie once said, “I wanted to be thought of as someone who was very much a trendy person, rather than a trend.” How do you feel about that statement in our present time?

Desirée: If you’re trendy, you have a sensitivity to what’s going on around you and are able to pick up on it. But it’s something that continues to cycle. He was able to stay relevant for so long because he knew the difference.

Brandon: Everyone is into a certain look, a certain trend, a certain style. Yet that isn’t always authentic and genuine.  I’m just a really big fan of being 100% yourself.

3. If you had to wear only one designer or brand exclusively for three years, who would it be and why?

Desirée: I’d have to choose a designer and it would be Marc Jacobs. He just knows how to do so many things.  He could do grunge or a polished-up lady Louis Vuitton look.

Brandon: Louis Vuitton would be the brand, mainly because of the rich history. He was able to bring [the brand] from a bag no one wanted, to a luxury luggage brand, then to a full fashion house. I really appreciate what the house represents because I’m all about the hustle and the grind.

Watch the full interview below!

We all have our favorite staple pieces that we go to again and again. They make our wardrobes more cohesive and save us from those mornings we feel like we have nothing to wear. But as much as we love those wardrobe staples, basic pieces can get a little boring and may need an update from time to time. Let’s talk about 4 tips to refresh your wardrobe staples.

1. Look for Unexpected Details
Freshen up your basics by looking for pieces with unexpected details, like statement sleeves on your next button-down blouse.

2. Pair Them with Lively Pieces
Grasie pairs her white sneakers—a wardrobe staple everyone should have in their closet—with a fun, colorful set that is perfect for spring.

3. Mix Traditional with Modern Classics
Tonya is wearing classic block heels with one of my favorite modern classic looks: denim on denim.

4. Add a Personal Touch
Use your DIY skills to add some extra flair to your staple pieces. For example, try adding a raw edge hem to your denim, or embroidery if you’re feeling crafty.