Celebrating Black History Month:
Staff Spotlight
In honor of Black History Month, we are amplifying the work and stories of Crossroads employees.
Lena, Communications Manager
Is there a Black leader or figure, past or present, who inspires you?
My Blackness and Queerness are two identities that are most salient to me, so learning about and reading the works of Black Queer figures, like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, have really inspired me, especially as a writer myself. I also love watching Queer Black representation in today’s media, so shows like Pose and Harlem and have felt super affirming and inspiring to watch, though I think we still need more representation!
What is your proudest career or personal achievement?
I started as a Recruiter with Crossroads but I got my undergrad degree in Media & Communications and was very excited to put my degree to use when I was promoted to Communications Manager. Even though I’ve only been in the position for a little over a year, I feel as if I’ve developed so many personal and professional skills in a short period of time, which I’m very proud of.
What is something someone may be surprised to know about you?
In addition to working full time at Crossroads, I’m also a full time Grad student, studying Counseling Psychology. At Crossroads, I do a lot of work around our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals and have discovered that it’s something I’m truly passionate about. I would love to one day find a way to combine my love for fashion, psychology and DEI.
What does “Black Joy” mean to you? What aspects of your life bring you the most joy?
To me, Black Joy is all about emphasizing the positive, joyous aspects of Black folk’s experience. I think the media loves to hyper-focus on negative aspects of Black people’s history and treat Blackness as if it’s a monolith, when there are so many beautiful parts of our culture that can be highlighted. Building community with other Black, Queer folks brings me the most joy. Over the past few years I’ve built some really amazing relationships that bring me joy everyday. <3
Daniel, Floor Staff
What is your biggest career or personal goal?
To work in sports in some kind of way- specifically for one of my favorite teams.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
Watching and playing sports (basketball, football, hockey and baseball). I love to listen to a variety of different genres of music.
What does “Black Joy” mean to you? What aspects of your life bring you the most joy?
To be able to feel comfortable in myself and to try my best to be kind to anyone. The thing that brings me the most joy in life is being surrounded by my friend and family. Sports, too. Being born and raised in the Bay Area, the teams I root for (Warriors, A’s, 49ers, Sharks) bring me joy when I watch them do well.
Izzy, Floor Staff
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
I am into film: making, acting and watching. I also like to draw and make beats.
What is something someone may be surprised to know about you?
I like to collect shells.
What does “Black Joy” mean to you? What aspects of your life bring you the most joy?
Being happy and comfortable with yourself. An aspect of my life that brings me the most joy is creating.
February 17, 2022 5 Ways to Join the Sustainable Fashion Movement
There’s a lot of buzz about the sustainable fashion movement, and you may be looking for ways to get involved. We’ve put together the 5 best ways you can join the movement right away.
All of these habits reduce the impact of your wardrobe on the environment. Their main goals are to give clothing a longer life and to invest in pieces that are sustainably produced or repurposed.
Which of the 5 are you already in the habit of doing?
1. “Shop” Your Closet
Next time you have the urge to shop, try turning a fresh eye to your current closet. Many times we pack the racks too tight, hide things away in drawers, and overlook what we already own. A closet refresh is a great tactic for falling in love with what you already have! Reorganize your clothing by color, store off-season pieces so your racks can breathe, and display your shoes and handbags on shelves so you can see them clearly. Then, play stylist and put together some new looks for the week.
2. Look for Sustainable Collections
When shopping for new pieces, look for clothing that’s sustainably produced with recycled materials or organic cotton. Some of the leading brands are starting to produce these pieces, so support the efforts whenever possible.
3. Mend Your Clothes
Why not pick up a new sewing habit as part of your sustainable fashion discovery? One surefire way to extend the life of your clothing is to mend it. See our blog post with video tutorials and start learning.
4. Shop Secondhand
On those days you decide it’s time to add a new piece to your closet, shop secondhand! We have stores across the U.S. filled with gently used clothing and accessories that are looking for a new home.
5. Trade and Sell Unwanted Clothes
Even better, bring in your pre-loved clothing to a buy-sell-trade store to earn cash or store credit towards your next purchase. You’ll keep clothing out of landfills by aiming to get it into the hands of someone who will love it.
These are just 5 ways to join the sustainable fashion movement today. Start with one and you’ll see how easy it is to combine your love of fashion and the planet.
Photos Via
February 16, 2022 Meet the Spring 2022 Fashion Trends
We’ve been patiently waiting, and it’s finally time to meet the Spring 2022 fashion trends!
We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below, but take a look at our complete Selling Guide for everything that made our list. We have 30 trends there to get you inspired. Now the official countdown to spring begins.
Maxi Lengths
Mini lengths are still as popular as ever, but maxi lengths have returned for 2022. Cue the long skirts and dresses.
Romantic Prints
Whether it’s big florals or dainty designs, fall in love with boldy romantic prints this season.
Sports-Inspired
No need to actually hit the court: just mix tennis pleats, track pants, and sporty sneakers into your look.
Kitten Heels
The return of the kitten heel is here, so find a cute pair that puts a little “spring” in your step.
Moto Jackets
This classic spring jacket returns for another season. A moto jacket makes any look cooler and can be worn effortlessly over a t-shirt and jeans, or over a flowy sundress.
Large Bags & Totes
Yes! Big bags and totes in soft leather and bright colors are here for spring. It’s time to find your perfect one. You know we have them stocked in our stores.
Besides our selling guide, we featured spring 2022 fashion trends in our latest photoshoot. You have to see the lookbook we created! Then, kick off spring with us by visiting one of our stores to buy, sell, or trade.
Celebrating Black History Month:
A Staff Spotlight
In honor of Black History Month, we are amplifying the work and stories of Crossroads employees. Today we spotlight two employees at our Melrose store: Alyssa & Sarah.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Alyssa: To embrace the past, present and future of the culture, art, history and pride with love and respect.
Sarah: Representation/celebration of all the wonderful aspects of Black Culture. Not only is it a celebration, it is also an acknowledgment of all the hardships and struggles we’ve gone through and how we persevered.
Is there a Black leader or figure who inspires you?
Alyssa: As a dancer from when I was 5, Alvin Ailey was always a present figure in my life, from posters on my wall to training the style to going to classes at his academy in New York.
Sarah: Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, amongst many others, inspire me heavily. Rosa Parks, in particular, because she was so resilient and stayed strong when she faced many injustices. Same with Malcolm X. They both inspire me because they had the mindset of, “If not me, then who will?” That is something I try to implement into my lifestyle.
Alyssa
What is your proudest achievement?
Alyssa: Being a part of Beyoncé’s feature music video “Black Is King” was THE PROUDEST MOMENT in my life, especially because I was a dancer for the “Brown Skin Girl” segment. My chin was LIFTED the entire process.
Sarah: Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone quite frequently. Whether it be putting myself in situations that may seem scary but turn out to be beneficial.
What is your biggest goal?
Alyssa: To work for Steven Spielberg. I got somewhat close when I got the call to audition for “Westside Story,” but it was in New York, and I was already working on a project. I wish I could turn back time and put my butt on the plane.
Sarah: To become a professional dancer one day. This has been a dream of mine for a few years, and I won’t stop until I achieve it.
Sarah
How has your background shaped your personal style?
Alyssa: Seeing the styles in the early 2000’s really made me pick and choose what I like, from natural hair to natural nails to then go into natural neutrals in clothes and wardrobes.
Sarah: My background has shaped my style by not letting anyone change my mindset on what suits me and how I wear it. Learning not to care about other people’s opinions when it comes to my style is so refreshing.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
Alyssa: I sew, cosplay and have been using those talents towards costumes for TV and Film. Dance is my first love, but costumes will always be on the same pedestal. I honestly live two lives.
Sarah: Going to dance classes. Taking dance classes is something that I have been doing for the past 3-4 years. I mainly enjoy taking hip-hop classes at studios in LA.
What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
Alyssa: I’m a gamer and an anime weeb! Someone the other day said, “The cake is a lie,” and I know it was a reference to the game “Portal.” They were SO shocked. We talked games for 30 minutes after that.
Sarah: I am actually such an introverted and shy person.
What does “Black Joy” mean to you? What aspects of your life bring you the most joy?
Alyssa: Being unapologetically happy as a Black person. To love what you love and thoroughly enjoy it. No questions asked—point blank period. Art brings me joy. All of the art. That’s what I’m meant to do in this world. I don’t want to do art; I NEED to do art.
Sarah: Embracing wherever you come from and appreciating all the differences because that’s what makes you, you. My family and friends 100% bring me the most joy. I love being surrounded by people that I love, and that love me.
February 10, 2022 Q & A with Kaitlin of @windycitythrifter
We’re so happy when you tag us on Instagram and show us your Crossroads finds! After a while, we feel like we get to know you and your style very well. That’s exactly the case with Kaitlin from @windycitythrifter. We feel like old friends, having seen her amazing secondhand finds for years. We were way overdue for this little Q&A.
Read on to learn about life as an eco-stylist, Kaitlin’s IGTV series, and the elopement dress she found in our store.
Hi Kaitlin! Please share a little bit about yourself.
I’m a millennial Chicago transplant, originally hailing from Upstate NY. Style and performing are my lifelong passions, and I’ve been able to grow upon them in the beautiful Windy City. I’m married to my best friend, Mr. Windy City Thrifter, and we enjoy going on hikes with our rescue pittie and exploring how we can do our part to combat climate change.
We know you’re a long-time Crossroads customer. Thank you for that! When did you first find us, and are there any favorite #crossroadsfinds that stand out in your mind?
I first found Crossroads when I moved to Chicago in 2012. In fact, my first two Instagram posts were taken in a Crossroads dressing room! Hands down, my favorite Crossroads find was a cream button-down Free People dress that I found in June 2019, the month after my partner and I got engaged. I originally had plans to wear it for my wedding shower (which I eventually did in 2021). However, when we had to postpone our 2020 wedding and decided to elope, donning this dress made me feel so beautiful as I married my best friend!
You’re an eco-stylist. That sounds amazing. What is that role like?
As an eco-stylist, I help folks cultivate a more sustainable and budget-friendly wardrobe by styling them with secondhand pieces and helping create “new-to-them” looks from their existing closet. We connect on their wardrobe needs and goals prior to the session so we can pull and buy pieces with clear intentions. This way my clients feel confident about their purchases and how they’ll integrate them into their existing closets.
We noticed you’re creating content over on IGTV too. Please tell us more.
I love utilizing video to spread secondhand love, so over on my IGTV you can find some of my “Thrifty Wedding” content and “Intention-haul” series. I created my “Intention-haul” series in 2020 as a way to encourage others to join me on a journey of conscious and mindful consumerism. It’s a way to hold myself accountable for my own secondhand consumption. It has sparked incredible conversations in the community, and I believe the more we communicate in these spaces, the better we all do moving forward!
What’s your best advice for shopping in a secondhand store?
My absolute best advice is to go into the store with a solid idea of what you already own and a clear list of what you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Patience is also key. When we consume slowly, we’re able to make the most mindful and long-lasting purchases!
Thank you, Kaitlin, for spreading the word about sustainable secondhand fashion!
If you liked this article, you’ll enjoy our other Q&A’s with Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear and Piera from @hipiera.
