Blog: Crossroads Style

The moment I saw 3×1’s Crop Lima jeans, I knew I had to have them—but with a $295 price tag, I set out to create my own affordable version. I closed my web browser, picked up my seam rippers, and ran to the Crossroads DIY Studio to create these frayed hem jeans myself!

First things first: you can use any pair of jeans to achieve this fringed accent. I’ll be using a pair of light-wash skinny jeans, but you can use any color or silhouette you want.

You will need:

– A pair of jeans

– A seam ripper

– A pair of sharp scissors

– A ruler

1. Cut the bottoms off your jeans with scissors.

2. Use your seam ripper to open up the vertical seam on both sides of each leg. You can use a ruler to measure the length of your fringe. I went with a whopping six inches for an extra long fringe!

3. Now you can start fraying! You can use your fingers to rub the edges of the fabric to find your loose vertical threads. Then just start unraveling. I used the seam ripper to isolate each thread, pulling them out one by one.The entire process should only take about an hour to unravel both legs up to your desired height.

4. Finish with a run through the washer and dryer. Then twist the fringe between your thumb and index finger creating chunks of denim-y fringe!

Here’s a finished pair. I added some stitching to keep the fringe from unraveling beyond my original measurement.

Light wash or dark wash, this fun DIY is an easy and free route to transforming last season’s jeans into this summer’s hottest denim trend.

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If you not only love fashion as a form of self-expression, but also find the ins and outs of the industry itself fascinating, you may find yourself wanting to go beyond blogs and fashion magazines. Good news: it’s easy to delve further!

I’ve rounded up my five favorite books about fashion and style below. These books give a behind-the-scenes look at the industry from those who have essentially created it from the ground up, and from those whose lives it has deeply impacted. From development to photography to marketing, you’ll get all kinds of influential fashion commentary.

1. Women in Clothes, by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanna Shapton, and more
Get thought-provoking perspectives on fashion from those who know it best: women like you. The authors of this book surveyed over six hundred women about their views on fashion, giving us wonderfully revealing conversations about what fashion can say, and how it can impact your life.

2. Mario Testino: In Your Face, by Mario Testino
This book is filled with photos of the most fabulous fashion moments and will make the most gorgeous coffee book table. You’ll want to open and read it over and over again.

3. The Sartorialist: Closer, by Scott Schuman

I love street style shots more than any high fashion or runway photography. I love seeing how real people in this world dress and express themselves. If you do too, then this book—from renowned street style photographer Scott Schuman—is for you.

4. I’ll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist, by Betty Halbreich
Betty spent forty years of her life as a personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, and she has the stories to prove it. Hilarious, charming, and personal, Betty chronicles how she has been able to help women learn how to find their true selves with the help of fashion.

5. Champagne Supernovas: Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and the 90s Renegades Who Remade Fashion, by Maureen Callahan
There will never be another decade like the ‘90s. In my humble opinion, it was the best decade for fashion and music, and the last before technology overtook our lives. This book chronicles the best of the best in its unique fashion culture.

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We love this Riviera-ready look that Amelia of Clotheshorse LA put together so much, that she (and those amazing pants) immediately became the inspiration for styling summer stripes from our closet!

Because this week’s newest arrivals feature so many fantastic stripes, I picked my favorites and headed straight to the styling closet. You can look forward to shopping for striped pieces similar to these at all Crossroads locations.

Our simple Striped Crop Top ($9.50) is the perfect place to start. Pair this 100% cotton tee with high-waisted shorts and platform sandals, and finish off the look with a brightly colored purse.

Add a pop of red with our Mini Stripe Collared Tank ($16.50). I upped the cute factor by adding a black bow tie and cherry red bag.

Go neutral with our ‘70s Striped Tunic ($18.50). Achieve this look with light wash jeans, a pastel tote, and minimal flats.

When the temperature climbs into the hundreds, you’ll want our High Neck Striped Tank ($9.50) handy. Just add your trusty denim cut-offs and let your brightest sandals complete the look.

Amelia makes styling summer stripes look easy, and we hope our looks have inspired you to give this look a try too!

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Forget delivery and ordering into the office every day; there’s no better time to experiment in the kitchen, try new flavors, and get your Iron Chef on! Step up your cooking game with these four cookbooks that belong on your counter:

1. Cravings: Recipes For All the Food You Want to Eat by Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy is pretty much everyone’s spirit animal and a total beast in the kitchen, so it’s no wonder that her cookbook is spreading like wildfire. The book is divided into sections like “Party Time,” “Sh*t on Toast,” and “Things That Intimidate People but Shouldn’t.” You’ll fall in love with her wit and recipes like John’s Famous Fried Chicken with Spicy Honey Butter.

2. It’s All Easy: Delicious Weekday Recipes for the Super-Busy Home Cook by Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth shares more than 125 of her most healthy and delicious recipes from lazy breakfasts to easy dinners. My favorites include the Moroccan Chicken Salad Wrap and Pita Bread Pizzas.

3. The Love and Lemons Cookbook: An Apple-to-Zucchini Celebration of Impromptu Cooking by Jeanine Donofrio
This book features more than 100 simple vegetarian recipes starring fresh and delicious seasonal produce. It’s the perfect inspiration for quick and impromptu cooking!

4. Orange, Lavender & Figs: Deliciously Different Recipes from a Passionate Eater by Fanny Slater
Fanny makes one-of-a-kind recipes approachable yet stunning enough to earn you the title of “Top Chef” among your friends and family. Try her Butternut Squash Tacos with Apple-Fennel Slaw, and you’ll never look back.

Hungry yet?

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With gorgeous Coachella style everywhere, Indio, CA is looking great this time of the year. Ready for festival fashion at its finest? Here are my favorite looks from the first weekend of Coachella.

Say hello to bell-bottoms! This festival-goer slayed in a pair embroidered with flowers.

Stay cool in a black lace dress, and add a dash of sparkle with a mini tiara. You’ll be shining like Chiara in no time. 

A floral mini dress, sunny straw hat and gladiator sandals are always a win in Indio. 

When in doubt, go for gorgeous white pieces in light, breezy fabrics. 

A floral two-piece and a flower crown are festival perfection. 

Keep your tan lines to a minimum—and your Coachella style on point—with a white off-the-shoulder maxi.

What were your favorite festival looks from the weekend?

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