Blog: Crossroads Style

Wow, and just like that Crossroads Trading turns 30 years old. Happy birthday to us! It’s hard to believe that it’s been three decades since we first opened our doors on Fillmore St. in San Francisco. Back then in 1991, we could only hope that customers across the country would fall in love with secondhand fashion and selling their clothes to us for cash or store credit. Luckily, the customers arrived, and many can even claim they’ve been shopping with us from the very beginning.

Crossroads was founded by Jerry Block and Chip Gerken, after their wives introduced them to each other. Jerry’s experience in resale fashion and Chip’s experience in traditional retail fashion allowed them to create a secondhand fashion experience that married the value and sustainability perks of resale with the curated shopping racks of traditional retail. Customers soon counted on the company’s in-store buyers to stock the racks with an inspiring mix of contemporary, vintage, and designer brands. To this day, the in-store buyers at Crossroads stores (led by the company’s first employee and current Chief Retail Officer, Melissa Laubstein) remain the heart and soul of Crossroads stores.

You can now find Crossroads stores across the country, throughout California, the Pacific Northwest, Texas, Chicago, and New York. With over 100 “Best of” awards across these regions, we couldn’t be any prouder to have served our customers in their search for fun, affordable, fashionable, and sustainable finds.

Some Fun Milestones for Us Along the Way

1996- Opened our first Pacific Northwest store in Capitol Hill.

1999- Opened our first Southern California store in Hollywood.

2005- Made our debut in Chicago with our Lincoln Park store.

2007 -Ran our first (and only) TV commercial.

2011- Opened our first New York store in Brooklyn.

2012- Opened our sister store and designer consignment boutique, Fillmore & 5th.

2016- Entered the Texas market with our Houston store.

Here’s to 30 more years! Most of all, thank you for being a part of the Crossroads community. There would be no celebrations today without YOU.

It’s officially jacket weather, and there are so many to choose from! So for fun, let’s play: what your jacket style says about you.

Vintage

You’ve been following fashion for so long that you’re a natural at it. You’re not afraid to buy secondhand pieces and style them into your wardrobe. Why not: vintage pieces are rare and unique, just like your style.

Leather

Your style choices are bold but deliberate. You know that a beautifully made leather jacket will age like fine wine and fit your confident personality for years to come.

Suede

You’re a bit of a flower child, drawn to simple pieces that are gently worn in and in natural hues. You favor soft fabrics and dainty details.

Puffer

You’re practical but ambitious. You know that a solid puffer jacket will keep you warm for hours, which is important because you have things to do. No cold day is going to stop you from making your way around town and getting things done.

Varsity

You’re a quiet rebel. You know that although a varsity jacket is a classic style from the past, you dare to wear it with combat boots and black jeans.

Designer

You love attention and you’re not afraid to show it. You know that a recognizable designer jacket makes your whole look fun and declares your intense love of fashion.

Suited

You like the finer things in fashion: beautiful fabrics, pretty detailing, and a structured shape. You take your time to find pieces that are high-quality and sophisticated, and it shows.

Faux Fur

You love a little glamour in your life. You know that not only will faux fur keep you warm, but it will also make any outfit you pull together look absolutely fabulous.

Whatever your jacket style is, you can count on Crossroads to carry it! Next time you’re looking for a jacket, stop into any of our store locations to see what we have for you. We’re convinced you’ll find it on our store racks.

We’ve been thrifting for Halloween costumes for as long as we can remember. In fact, it’s this annual activity that introduces many people to secondhand clothing stores.

You’ll have to put your creative hat on because building your costume from scratch is not as simple as purchasing a packaged Halloween costume. However, the challenge is fun, the thrifted pieces can usually be worn outside of a costume later on, and you’re not going to run into your costume clone on Halloween night.

To help you get thinking of this year’s costume, here are 3 common themes that will help you build your Halloween costume off the racks of secondhand stores.

1. Classic Movie Characters

Focus your search on stand-out pieces. It may take only a sweater to get your Freddy Krueger costume started, or a great coat to inspire a Cruella look.

2. Your Childhood Favorites

Think back on your favorite toys and characters from childhood, and keep them in mind as you shop. Our Dallas team dreamt up these costumes for Hannah Montana and the popular Bratz dolls.

3. Decades

This is usually the easiest costume to build in a secondhand store. Pick a decade you love and shop exclusively for vintage pieces from that era. Most likely, the pieces can be remixed afterward for a more modern take!

Do we have you ready to start thrifting for Halloween costumes? We love to see your creativity shine, so please tag us on Instagram @crossroadstrading when you post your thrifted Halloween look so we can see it!

While it’s always fun to see photos of #crossroadsfinds, sometimes it’s even more fun to watch them! Today, we’ve rounded up a few customer-created videos that share the thrill of the hunt when shopping at Crossroads. So sit back, hit play, and join us for a few minutes to watch some best finds off the racks at Crossroads.

Thrift Store Style-Off Challenge with One Dapper Street

We love a good style challenge, and it’s double the fun when secondhand fashion is involved!

Shopping with Mary Elizabeth at Crossroads Trading Co. with B. Jones Style

Join B. Jones Style and Mary Elizabeth on a day of thrift shopping at our Silverlake store in LA.

“My Husband Picks My Outfits” with Really Pretty Good

What would your partner style for you off the racks at Crossroads? In this fun video, you can watch this game in action.

There’s plenty more to watch! Visit the Crossroads Trading YouTube Channel for more videos about selling and shopping with us.

Want even more great fall fashion content? See our fall selling guide here, check out the latest items hitting our sales floor on Instagram here, and read about our 5 fall essentials here.

As part of our Staff Style Spotlight series, meet Hannah, a Floor Supervisor at Crossroads. We asked employees at our Portland stores to bring their style and star in our latest Crossroads photoshoot wearing their Crossroads finds. Read about Hannah’s personal style, favorite fall trend, and favorite thing about working at Crossroads.

What is your favorite fall trend?

I am excited to wear long leather jackets; they have my whole heart! I love the drama they add to every outfit.

What are you excited to see come into your Crossroads store?

Jean Paul Gaultier inspired printed pants! I would cry tears of joy!

What is your favorite winter trend?

I love funky and fun colored rain coats. You need them here in Oregon; it’s fun to spice up a basic necessary garment.

Tell us about the piece that “got away”.

There was a cute & classic vintage Betty Boop and Friends t-shirt that still appears in my dreams!

What is your favorite thing about working at Crossroads?

I love seeing different people try on an item I’ve had my eye on in the store. It’s nice seeing its life cycle in the store before it goes to its forever home. It’s fun to think about the ways in which one might style it!

Top tips for selling at Crossroads?

Be aware of current trends!

See our trend guide.

Thanks for the Staff Style Spotlight, Hannah! As a Floor Supervisor, Hannah not only assists customers on the sales floor, but also trains and supervises staff and processes the amazing secondhand fashions that come into their Crossroads. Learn more about working at Crossroads.