Blog: Crossroads Style

When you’re on a limited budget, replenishing your closet each season can be difficult, which is one of the many reasons why I love thrifting and going to Crossroads to fulfill my seasonal, trendy wardrobe cravings (Bring on the summer pieces). You may love a trend one day, but as the honeymoon phase of new clothing wears off, you may find yourself pushing it aside for some of your more classic staples. Why pay full price for something that you may not love forever?

Enter secondhand shopping.  Check out 5 summer pieces I’ll be looking for at Crossroads.

Midi Dresses
Last week I shared my favorite midi dresses for this summer, and I hope it inspires you to find your favorite.

Ruffles
If you’re like me and have shied away from ruffles since childhood, you may be wary about this summer trend. Fear not, ruffles can be fun and age appropriate.

Botantical Prints
If you don’t have a summer vacation on the calendar, you can still dress like you are on vacation in super trendy botanical printed pieces!

Slide Sandals
I’ve been noticing an influx of slide sandals at my favorite Crossroads stores and have picked up a few (heeled and flat) to complete my summer wardrobe.

Bold Colors
My wardrobe is typically full of dark, muted colors, but I’ve been embracing bright, bold colors lately. I love that I can pick up some key pieces at lower prices at Crossroads to mix into my existing wardrobe.

A midi dress is a flattering and versatile piece for a busy summer season—wear it to all your barbecues, music festivals, and summer date nights. It’s the perfect effortless piece to throw on for any occasion. Not too short, not too long, casual with sneakers, and more dressed up with sandals, it’s easy to see why midi dresses are a warm-weather staple.

Take a look at some of my favorite styles of mid-length dresses that make summer dressing so easy!

Everyday Casual
For those grab-and-go days, throw on a breezy striped wrap dress and a low heeled sandal, and you’re ready for anything the day throws at you!

Summer White
The essential summer dress? A breezy, white, button-down midi that can be dressed up or down!

Off-The-Shoulder
Opt for a more playful look and wear an off-the-shoulder midi dress full of color!

Floral
Because floral for spring and summer will always be on trend.

The Wrap Dress
Beat the summer heat in a flirty wrap dress!

Wedding season is officially in full swing, and along with the invites comes the inevitable stress about what to wear that’s both stylish and appropriate.  Each wedding has its own unique vibe, and often a dress code will be stated on the invite. But what do these dress codes actually mean? Here, I explain the most common wedding guest dress codes to help prepare you for any upcoming weddings this season!

Casual

Don’t mistakenly interpret a casual dress code to mean you should show up to a wedding in jeans and a tee. Casual wedding attire calls for a simple dress or jumpsuit—or you can surprise everyone and wear a totally on-trend suit!

Cocktail Attire (Semi-Formal)

This dress code is your chance to be the most playful; try a knee-length dress or skirt, colorful details, and your favorite style of shoe.

Formal Attire (Black Tie Optional)

This dress code is known as black tie optional because it means the wedding party will be dressed in formal attire (gowns and tuxedos), while guests have the option to dress formally as well. A safe bet is to find a cocktail to floor length formal dress.

Black Tie

This is where we get to pull out all the stops, ladies! Choose a formal dress with a jewel color tone and statement-making details. Think of this as your red carpet moment.

White Tie

The most formal of dress codes, this requires a proper (usually more conservative) gown, typically floor length. If you want to go shorter, opt for a tea length dress and dress it up with heels and sleek accessories.
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If your invite doesn’t state a dress code, don’t fret! Base your outfit on the design of the invitation, the location, the day/time of the wedding… and of course, it’s always a safe bet to just ask!

A capsule wardrobe challenge dares you to create a small, curated wardrobe. The size and length of time you do it for is dependent on which challenge you choose to participate in. In the process, you learn to style and be creative with less, so that you can grow your personal style understanding and become appreciative of what you can do with a smaller wardrobe.

There are so many challenges you can participate in, but here are the two most popular and the gist of each:

• The 10×10 Challenge: Use 10 items to create 10 outfits in 10 days.
• Project 333: Use 33 items to create outfits for 3 months.

Of course, you’re free to create your own challenge with your own designated amount of items and timeline. No matter how you decide to challenge yourself, remember that it’s not about the rules; it’s about having fun and seeing what you can do to challenge your style routine.

If you aren’t yet convinced to give a wardrobe challenge a shot, these five benefits you’ll experience may just do the trick!

1. Save Time in the Morning
When you’re able to see your entire wardrobe in one glance, and you have less to choose from in the morning, you’ll free up time for you to hit snooze one more time, finally eat breakfast before work, or get to the office just a little bit earlier!

2. Save Money
Even if you’re doing one of the shorter challenges, if it goes well and inspires you, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually have less of a desire to shop in the future, and you’ll appreciate what you can do with less.

3. Gain More Closet Space & Organization
Piggybacking on the idea that you’ll appreciate what you’re able to create with a smaller wardrobe, when you’re more selective in what you decide to add to your wardrobe in the future, you’ll inevitably free up some precious space that”ll help you to keep an organized closet.

4. Fuel Your Creativity
A capsule wardrobe challenge is one of my favorite ways to get rid of a wardrobe slump. You’re forced to be creative with less, weeding out unnecessary noise in your closet from pieces that haven’t been worn for a multitude of reasons: improper fit, nothing to pair it with, don’t know how to style it, etc.

5. Hone Your Personal Style
When creating your capsule wardrobe for a challenge, you will most likely end up choosing your favorite pieces. Learning how to remix your favorite pieces in ways that you hadn’t before will help you to hone in on your personal style. Forget about trends you felt pressured to try or basics you bought just because they’re easy—a capsule wardrobe forces you to select only the pieces you feel best in! You will eventually have a wardrobe of carefully selected pieces that speak specifically to your style.

A spring getaway is the perfect way to end your winter blues and get ready for the upcoming summer season.  How many of you suffer from the worry and stress that come with packing? Or with the thought of not having something stylish and functional to wear? Or is the pressure of creating Instagram-worthy moments causing you a style block?

Vacations are supposed to a cure-all for stress, not a cause of it. For a quick and easy no-brainer packing sesh, I’ve gathered some of my favorite, effortless spring vacation outfits from my blog roll to inspire you!

No other print says “spring!” quite like gingham! Don’t be afraid to mix an equally playful print to create an outfit that you can’t help but have fun in.

A breezy dress is a must-have for a spring vacation. Throw it on with some comfy slides and you’re ready to sight-see all day!

A no-fail formula for the perfect vacation outfit: bold colors, fun print, and a straw hat.

Match the blooming flowers around you in pastel pink. Add in a pair of stylish and functional platform sandals for easy on-the-go style.

My favorite vacation essential? A versatile jumpsuit. It’s a no-brainer!

Have fun and pair your loudest prints and boldest colors together for a tropical island vibe.

Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit! From the hotel pool to the ocean, one pieces are trending this season!