Blog: Crossroads Style

Recently, I have been seeing and hearing more about scaled-down, curated closets. As fun as fast fashion is and as exciting as having an overflowing closet can be, I am becoming more interested in quality over quantity—pieces I love that I can mix and match together. Not only is a curated closet a way to focus on your personal style, it will also save you money and prep time each morning, and it’ll have less impact on the environment.

So what exactly is a curated closet? A curated closet consists of quality pieces that are meant to mix and match with each other. If this is something you are interested in, there are so many blogs and books out there to help get you started! Check out some of my favorite tips and resources on the topic below.
–

1. Define Your Style
Everyone’s style is different, and it may be difficult to define yours. However, you’ll want to narrow it down as much as possible for a challenge like this. For example, my personal style has evolved from a relaxed bohemian to a relaxed minimalist look. I gravitate towards fun prints every now and then, and I’ll buy a few stand-out pieces.
–

2. Purge, Purge, Purge
The first step is to go through your entire wardrobe and purge the pieces that you don’t wear. As much work as this step is, it is the most important. You will get a better sense of your style and what is important to you to have for each season. Will you focus more heavily on a combination of tops and bottoms, or do you love to wear dresses? This will be important because the best way to create a curated closet is to focus on the number of items. I like the idea of a range (like 30-40 items) instead of one specific number.
–

3. Organize
After you purge your closet and are left with the pieces that you truly love, see if there are any holes in your closet that you need to fill. Are you missing a button-down blouse or a perfect pair of denim? Once you fill the holes in your closet, make a pact with yourself to hold off on shopping until the next season. Remember: the idea is to keep it simple.
–

4. Remix
Your biggest challenge will be learning to remix your now limited wardrobe to create an entire season of outfits. This may be challenging if you are used to having a higher quantity of clothing in your closet, but it will help to refine your style and really test your closet curation.

After reading these tips, if you are interested in taking on a curated closet challenge, below are some of my favorite resources for inspiration:
–

⋅ Anuschka Rees: This is the site of the author of The Curated Closet, and it will be one of the most in-depth and helpful resources to get you started. Anuschka gives you step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and exercises to help create your new closet.

⋅ Project 333 (Be More With Less):  Featured by the Associated Press, The Today Show, and O, The Oprah Magazine, Project 333 challenges you to live with 33 items of clothing or less for an entire three months.

⋅ Unfancy: Caroline began curating her closet and has helpful tips for those just beginning. She keeps it simple, straightforward, and approachable.

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.

We have a closet full of clothes, yet somehow, we all have days where we stand in front of those racks and say, “I have nothing to wear.” Suddenly, nothing looks good or goes together quite like how you remember, and of course, it always happens at the worst times, like when you actually need something to wear. Never on a weekend when you can get away with your favorite pair of jeans and a tee.

Luckily, solving this dilemma is as simple as preparing for it in advance. Check out my tips on how to plan for those ubiquitous nothing-to-wear mornings.

1. Use the Remix Rule When Shopping
I typically justify my clothing purchases with the remix rule: If you can think of three different outfits using the piece and clothing you already own, buy it. If not, leave it at the store and let yourself sleep on it. Chances are, you actually don’t need that new sweater. Focus on creating a closet with a wardrobe that works together, not against itself.
–

2. Stay Inspired
If you have a closet full of clothes, then of course you have something to wear. You may just need to get inspired to have some fun with the clothes that you have. This is where Instagram, Pinterest, and blogs come in. Take screenshots of outfits that you can recreate using similar items in your closet. When that dreaded “I have nothing to wear” morning comes, you’ll be prepared with more than enough ideas.
–

3. Go For Black on Black
Black is a fashion girl’s best friend. It never fails, it matches everything, and you may already have at least one of every type of item in black. If not, look for classic pieces in black for those no-fail outfits: a button-down, a high-waisted skirt, trousers, a dress, and denim. You can pump up your look by adding statement accessories or shoes, or just keep it minimal and chic.
–

4. Stock up on Classic Pieces
Stick to classics on those mornings you want to look good with the least amount of effort. Stock your closet with timeless pieces like a white button-down shirt, black trousers, a pair of flattering jeans, an easy throw-on dress, and a layering piece that goes with everything (like a leather or denim jacket). Trendy, statement pieces are fun, but if your closet is missing classic, key pieces to tie everything together, it will make it a lot harder to get dressed.
–

5. Plan Ahead
When I have the time, I like to go into my closet, create outfits for future scheduled events, and take photos of them. This makes getting dressed on the day-of a complete breeze! It also allows more time to play with different combinations I may not have thought of while stressing about being ready on time. Planning an outfit ahead of time takes the stress out of getting ready and let’s you focus on what really matters that day.
–

6. Purge and Organize Your Closet Regularly
Take time to go through your closet each season and ask yourself if you really need each item. Have you worn it in the last 6-12 months? Does it fit? Does it still work with your current style? If not, pack it up and head to your nearest Crossroads to sell it, or donate it to your local secondhand store. Too much of a good thing can actually make it harder to make a decision! Pare your wardrobe down to pieces you love and actually wear, and get rid of the rest.

Thrifting is a unique experience that truly gives credence to the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Digging through rack upon rack knowing there’s the possibility of finding something special is the ultimate thrifter’s high. But sometimes it can be hard to envision an amazing one-off piece in your wardrobe or dedicate enough of your time to make the most of shopping secondhand. That’s where thrift haulers and YouTube videos come in. Read below for my round-up of 6 thrifting vloggers to inspire your haul.

B. Jones Style

Our very own Crossroads Style Council member Beth recently began vlogging again, and I am obsessed! I love Beth’s thrifting videos and self challenges!

–

The Line Up

Maya and Julia’s energy is so contagious! These girls have such a great eye for color, accessories, and those small details that really make something special!

–

To The 9’s

Cassie and Ricci share their love of fashion through their vlogs and inspire thrifters everywhere to give used clothing a second chance. I love how they show us how they would style their finds!

–

The Fashion Citizen

With their thrift hauls, DIYs, and outfit of the week vlogs, these twin sisters are veterans of YouTube vlogging and definitely worth checking out!

–

Steal The Spotlight

Discussing anything and everything fashion-related, Katie has some of the best thrift finds and haul vlogs on YouTube!

–

Mary Elizabeth

Another one of our own Crossroad Style Council members, Mary proves that thrifting is not just for clothing! Mary is the best at finding shabby home decor and accents and DIY-ing the chic back into them!

There you have it! 6 thrifting vloggers to inspire your next haul. When you’re ready to shop for thrifted fashion, check out your local Crossroads store.

The fashion industry lost a true icon this weekend: Bill Cunningham passed away at the age of 87.

Armed with his 35mm camera, his blue coat, and his bike, Bill was the original street style photographer. He realized that seeing how people interpreted what designers create was the missing piece to the fashion world. Taking photos as merely an observer, with no prejudice towards his subjects, Bill was able to capture the beauty and creativity of fashion through tourists, locals, and celebrities out and about. Through his weekly New York Times series On The Street, Bill published New York street style photographs for nearly 40 years, capturing the evolution of fashion through decades. Bill became somewhat of a celebrity himself—no matter how hard he tried to stay humble and private—because of his charming nature and respectful attitude towards everyone.

“The wider world perceives fashion as frivolity that should be done away with. The point is that fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. I don’t think you can do away with it. It would be like doing away with civilization.”

– Bill Cunningham

In loving memory of Bill, please enjoy this essay Bill wrote for the New York Times about his life.