Blog: Crossroads Style

Not only are we  in a new decade but it is time to do a little spring cleaning! You’re probably thinking a lot about how to better yourself in this new decade. I am fond of starting spring off feeling fresh and part of that is cleaning my home, specifically my closet. Cleaning out a closet is a bit of a daunting task, physically and emotionally, but if you have a plan in place, your experience will be much smoother and you’ll find yourself doing it more often throughout the year.

See below for tips on how to execute a closet detox for a clean start to the new decade.

Take Everything Out

The first step to a complete detox is to take everything out of your closet. Everything. Even the pieces that you know you love and wear constantly. Your newly empty closet symbolizes a fresh start and will help you visualize your ultimate goal in your closet clean out. This will also give you the chance to clean the inside of your closet, from the shelves to your floor.

Put Everything Into Designated Piles

Make three distinct piles for items in your closet: keep, sell, and donate.

Keep: This part isn’t as easy as it sounds. Once you have a keep pile, there are more steps to ensure that what you are keeping will fit with your current lifestyle. Do all of these pieces fit properly? Do they make you feel good? Will you have an occasion to wear it? Making sure that your keep pile is not only items that you love but are functional and will be worn is one of the most important parts of a true closet detox.

Sell: Selling gently used clothing is a fun motivator for getting your closet clean out finished. Be sure that the clothes you are planning to sell are currently on-trend, clean, and in good condition. Then simply head to your local Crossroads Trading Post and sell for either cash or store credit.

Donate: Donating more worn items or pieces that may be a bit more dated will help you not only clean out your closet but give your well-loved clothing and accessories a good home once you’re done with them.

Invest In Organizational Tools

Before you take a trip to invest in organization tools, take some measurements and either visually plan, or literally draw out how you would like your closet to look. I personally take to Pinterest for ideas before drawing up a plan. After you have your ideal plan in place, take a trip to The Container Store or even Target for organization pieces like hanging shelves, shoe racks, bins, and anything else you might need to organize your closet and pieces that work best for you.

How to Organize Your Closet

Now that you’ve purged and planned, it’s time to put everything back in. This is where your perfect plan will most likely hit some snags, so be prepared to be flexible. There are no rules in the art of organization, as it’s best to organize for yourself and what makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and to keep it clean in the future, for example, sort by item type and then color within those items.

‘Tis the season for jeans, sweater, and booties. Our typical fall and winter uniform can quickly become monotonous and a bit lackluster. Dare say I say that we get stuck in a rut when it comes to dressing in finicky weather this time of year? And while it may be necessary to continue to throw on your denim with layers upon layers of sweaters, there are simple ways to add a bit of a spark to your basic outfit. Below are simple tips that will elevate your jeans and sweater uniform, as to not be stuck in a never ending style rut this season.

Little Touches Make a Big Difference

Try tucking your favorite chunky knit into your jeans and adding a belt as a focal point.

Add Accessories

From hats to jewelry to statement boots, adding eye catching accessories will take your fall uniform from basic to chic.

Focus on Footwear

Jazz up your fall and winter uniform with a pair of statement shoes like these cutout booties that Caitlyn is rocking or a pair of trend forward animal print boots or loafers.

Experiment with Colors

Kick your rut to the curb by experimenting with different color denim.

Play Up Proportions

Skinny jeans will always be classic, but if you’re itching for a change, add some diversity to your denim collection with wide leg, flare, or bootcut this season.

Layering Adds Dimension

Adding a simple layer underneath your sweater can instantly transform the vibe of an outfit.

When it comes to the colder seasons, it can be hard to make any look feel chic, especially when you’re bundling up from head to toe! However, one of this season’s trendiest silhouettes, a knitted dress, is proving that it is possible to be warm and stylish even when those temperatures plunge! Whether you opt for a ribbed, fitted knit style or a sweater-like silhouette, this fashion-forward dress option is truly a piece that can be worn for any occasion! I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite ways I’ve been seeing knitted dresses styled this season and hope that these fashionistas inspire you to try this chic silhouette out for yourself!

Classic in Beige

Beige is one of the fall’s season’s best hues, so opt for a curve-hugging dress in this gorgeous neutral to ensure that you look and feel chic when on the go!

Undeniably Cozy

Name a better way to beat the cold than by wearing a cozy sweater from head to toe!

The Perfect Duo

Knee high boots are right on trend for fall, plus they are the perfect base to wear with a cozy knitted mini dress on a cold autumn day!

Just Add a Belt

Adding a belt to your knit dress is a fantastic way to add some extra interest to an outfit as well as a great way to play with proportions.

A Stylish Alternative

If knitted dresses aren’t your thing, no problem! Achieve a similar, yet equally as chic look, by wearing a matching sweater and skirt combo instead!

Whenever a season is nearing its second half, my wardrobe can start to feel a bit stagnant. When I begin to notice that I am comfortable throwing on basically the same outfit each and every day, I know it is time to do a quick little wardrobe refresh! This refresh typically starts with cleaning out and organizing my closet, followed by a little bit of shopping for key styles that will instantly liven things up a bit. Rather than doing a full wardrobe overhaul, adding in some fresh and exciting pieces is the perfect way to breathe new life into the line-up you already have! Here are four styles that I keep my eye out for while shopping to revamp my wardrobe!

Invest in New Basics

Whether you shop for new color ways or different classic styles, adding some new basic pieces to your wardrobe will instantly make you look and feel refreshed! It is a simple wardrobe update that will go a long way, trust me!

An On-Trend Accessory

Whether it is a stylish purse, a silky printed scarf or a fresh pair of sunglasses, adding a new detail to your wardrobe is a fantastic way to add an instant pick-me-up to your outfits.

Add in a Hero Piece

Hero pieces are those standout styles in your wardrobe that you throw on and instantly feel like a million bucks! Shop for a bold jacket or even a pair of patterned pants that will be easy to mix and match with the styles you already love in your wardrobe.

Fun Footwear

Shoes are a great way to show some personality and with so many styles and colors out there, it will be simple to snag a pair that will liven up the outfits from the ground up! Pro-tip: Crossroads is my favorite place to snag a unique pair of footwear!

When we think of wardrobe essentials, a classic white t-shirt instantly comes to mind first and foremost. It is the holy grail of timeless silhouettes and there are endless variations of this basic, yet essential wardrobe piece! Smart and versatile, a white t-shirt can easily be dressed up or dressed down and it is the perfect blank canvas that will act at the foundation to any outfit. With the summer season upon us, a white tee proves to be one of the most sought after styles of the season, thanks to its breathability and versatility. If you’re looking for some fresh inspiration on how to wear your favorite tee, look no further! I’ve rounded up some awesome ways we are seeing this blank slate styled for the warmer weather below!

T-Shirt & Midi Skirt

Feminine skirts in soft hues and flirty prints are a summer must-have, so why not pair them with another summer staple, like a cropped white tee?! This style tee is a breeze to DIY too!

T-Shirt & Denim

You can’t go wrong with a good old tee and denim combo! For some summer-ready vibes, balance out your look with simple jewelry and some feminine heels!

T-Shirt & Tailored Shorts

Tailored shorts will make a fantastic alternative to denim shorts this summer season, plus this elevated base will be made more everyday-casual when paired with a classic white t-shirt.

T-shirt & Slip Dress

Whether you wear it underneath or over a sleek slip dress, a classic white t-shirt will be a great option for adding some extra coverage or even some added dimension to a summer outfit!