March 17, 2022 Should I Donate or Sell My Clothes?
Good work! You’ve just completed a major closet clean and are now looking at piles of clothing you no longer love. The question of should I donate or sell my clothes? looms large as you consider your next steps for removing the piles of clothing from your home.
Here’s your simple guide for deciding what to do next!
To start, both options are excellent ones. They offer your pre-loved clothing a second chance at life in a new home. Donations provide affordable clothing options in traditional thrift stores like Goodwill, and buy-sell-trade fashion stores give you a chance to earn some cash or store credit for your current season, gently-used pieces.
Follow this 3-step process to take your next steps:
1. Choose Both
Buy-sell-trade stores like Crossroads buy great condition clothing that’s usually no more than 2-3 years old or classically vintage (like old concert t-shirts and mod pieces).
Thrift stores take clothing donations more broadly.
So, you can sell some of your clothing and donate some of your clothing. We’re already on to step 2 to talk sorting!
2. Sort by Age and Condition
Evaluate each piece of clothing and sort them into a sell pile and a donate pile.
Sellable clothing is in new or excellent condition and usually seasonal. For example, you’ll have a much better chance of selling a sweater in the fall than in the summer. Clothing should also be a classic style (like a denim jacket) or in a current trend. See our current trend guide for ideas.
Some of your clothing may be damaged. Let’s talk next about what to do with those.
3. Deal with Damages
If you’re tossing a piece you love because of a rip or tear, consider whether you may be able to salvage it. We did a whole post about how to mend your clothes over here.
But if it’s beyond repair, you’ll want to look for another option. Bustle shares some good options.
Now get those selling and donating bags out the door and on the way to their next home! For selling, you can find your nearest Crossroads location here.
Whether you donate or sell your clothes, you’re doing your part to keep used clothing out of landfills. Thank you!
March 15, 2022 How to Style a Maxi Skirt
We recently covered the mini skirt trend, but maybe you’d prefer to know how to style a maxi skirt.
We love them both, but we admit that the maxi skirt provides a lot more styling options. You can wear them to work, to a dinner date, to the beach.
In fact, we couldn’t stop scrolling our IG feeds for inspiration. There are so many great looks!
But we did our very best and narrowed it down to 9 excellent ways to style a maxi skirt.
1. To the Max
Oh, how we love how full this skirt is! With added frills on top, it’s a show-stopping look.
2. With a Tucked Sweater
Maxi skirts have great cinched waistbands that are perfect for tucking in lightweight tops. We think this tucked sweater looks lovely.
3. Under a Dress or Tunic
So smart! We love layers, and a maxi skirt works with an unbuttoned dress or tunic.
4. With a Tee
Keep it simple and pair a maxi skirt with your favorite t-shirt and denim jacket or bomber.
5. With a Ballet Top
A maxi skirt makes such a pretty silhouette. A ballet top enhances it.
6. With a Turtleneck
When the temperatures drop, a turtleneck is your go-to for a maxi skirt look.
7. With a Blazer
Add a blazer and you’re all set for an office-to-date kind of day.
8. With a Blouse and Vest
This look has us adding a denim maxi skirt to our shopping list! We find the blouse and vest addition are perfect.
9. In Mixed Prints
Go bold with a maxi skirt print, but don’t stop there. Match with bright colors and mixed prints for added fun.
Now, that’s how to style a maxi skirt this spring and beyond! We have plenty of other spring trends that we’re ready to style. See all 30 of them here in our seasonal selling guide.
March 7, 2022 Staff Style Spotlight: Allie
As part of our Staff Style Spotlight series, meet Allie, a Lead Cashier at Crossroads. We asked employees at our Sunset Blvd store to bring their style and star in our latest Crossroads photoshoot wearing their Crossroads finds. Read about Allie’s personal style, favorite spring trend and favorite thing about working at Crossroads.
What is your favorite Spring trend?
I am excited to see eclectic 70’s style with bright colors.
What are you excited to see come into your Crossroads store?
I am dying to see Vivienne Westwood X Melissa Jelly Heels.
Tell us about your favorite Crossroads find.
My favorite Crossroads find was a Juicy Couture matching pastel yellow tracksuit with green lettering and pink sea horses.
Tell us about the fashion piece that “got away”.
There was a pair of low-rise white denim with rhinestone pockets that were sadly too small!
What is your favorite thing about working at Crossroads?
My favorite part of Crossroads is my team. Since we all work together so well, problem-solving and collaborating are so easy.
Top tips for selling at Crossroads?
Check out the Crossroads website for a detailed look at the fashion we are currently looking for.
Thanks for the Staff Style Spotlight, Allie! As a Lead Cashier, Allie is a knowledgeable cashier that can offer assistance and guidance to the team. Allie also processes the amazing secondhand fashions that come into their Crossroads. Visit our Careers page to learn more about working at Crossroads.
March 10, 2022 Make Money Selling Clothes by Mail
We’re just days away from welcoming spring and itching to spring clean our closets and make way for new seasonal looks. If you have similar plans and are looking to turn that closet clean-out into cash, Crossroads has an easy way for you to make money selling clothes by mail.
Yes, you don’t even need to come into any of our store locations to sell! We have an easy 3-step way for you to send our expert buyers your clothing by mail for assessment and purchase.
1. Order a Bag
Order a bag right here on our website and we’ll get one in the mail to you right away. When ordering the bag, you’ll have the option to select payment by electronic deposit (via Zelle) or store credit.
Based on what your items are priced at, we pay 30% in cash or 50% in store credit.
You can also select a $15 return fee to have unpurchased pieces returned to you.
2. Fill the Bag
Fill the bag with your gently used clothing. We’re always looking for seasonal, on-trend pieces in excellent condition. See our current Selling Guide for ideas, or take a look at our detailed step-by-step guide.
3. Send Your Bag
Your Sell by Mail bag arrives with a pre-paid UPS postage label attached, so drop it off at your local UPS store or request a pick-up.
Then, just wait for our buyers to receive your bag and process it. You’ll receive an email about your earnings.
See, we told you the 3 steps were easy!
Now you’re all set to get that spring closet clean underway and make money selling clothes by mail. Start by ordering your clean-out bag with pre-paid postage here.
March 9, 2022 How to Style Chunky Loafers 7 Ways
They are absolutely everywhere, so we had to show you our best recommendations for how to style chunky loafers this spring. Each of these 7 looks is easy to accomplish and so stylish.
Keep scrolling to find your favorite, then stop into any of our store locations to see if we have your perfect pair on our shelves.
1. Show Some Ankle
Skip the socks and wear them with cropped pants.
2. With Stirrup Pants
Where do we find these stirrup pants? Our chunky loafers need to meet them.
3. With Hardware
Pick a pair with chunky hardware, then play them up with matching hardware on your handbag.
4. With White Socks
A simple move with classic style.
5. With Dainty Pieces
Contrast them with soft colors and flowy fabrics.
6. Preppy
Play up preppy, but make the loafers chunky.
7. With Shorts
Don’t forget how great they look with shorts, especially pleated ones!
Now that you have the rundown on how to style chunky loafers, take a look at the other fashion trends we’re loving over here in our seasonal selling guide.
