August 30, 2022 The Perks of Working in Secondhand Fashion
Working in secondhand fashion has many perks you may have not thought of before. We rounded up a few of them here, and then encourage you to check out our careers page if these excite you!
A Discount on a Discount
Let’s start with one of the best perks for fashion lovers. Since secondhand fashion is usually priced around a third of original retail, getting an employee discount on top of that is pretty amazing! And if you’re working with a store that sells higher-end labels and designer brands, you’ll build yourself an incredible closet of clothes for a fraction of the regular cost.
Learning About the Latest Styles
If you find yourself talking about the biggest trends this season, or your top 10 fashion labels, then we have lots of conversations for you. Our team works together to stay on top of the latest brands and styles that our shoppers want.
Working with Fashion People
Outside of the great trend debates, you’ll appreciate working with people who are passionate about secondhand fashion too. And in the case of Crossroads, you’ll meet people who are looking for sustainable ways to address fashion and the environment.
Fashion Merchandising
If you’ve ever wanted to learn about retail merchandising — think floor moves, floor displays, and window dressing– then working in secondhand fashion is especially fun. With so many one-of-a-kind pieces, you’ll learn creative styling at its best.
Social Media Marketing
Social channels are a popular way to market all types of businesses today, including secondhand fashion. In fact, Instagram feeds like @crossroadstrading are used to show customers the pieces that have just arrived in stores.
Learning How to Be a Clothing Buyer
A lot of fashion lovers dream of being a fashion buyer one day, and learning how to assess and price resale fashion pieces is an excellent place to start.
Sound like perks you want in your life? We have job openings!
August 25, 2022 Nostalgic for 90s Tracksuits
Recently, we’ve found ourselves nostalgic for 90s tracksuits. In fact, maybe all tracksuits, since they’re the no-thought-necessary matching outfit we always want to find in our closet (especially first thing in the morning before our first Zoom call).
We’ve had them on our minds so frequently that we added them to our latest selling guide under the sporty trend there.
We personally lean towards tracksuits in warm, premium fabrics, so they’re structured well and last for years. Then, we pair them with a great pair of trainers, because those always finish the look just right.
You’ll see from our inspiration photo picks below that we like to see them layered with everything from long wool coats, to puffy jackets, to designer handbags.
We know we’ll have them top of mind when we hit up our neighborhood Crossroads store for our latest cool weather fashion selections. And before we know it, we’ll be showing off our latest set, reminding us that 90s tracksuits were always more about style than running a track.
Keep scrolling for style inspiration, then stop into Crossroads to look for your own set, or to buy-sell-trade your gently used pieces for cash or store credit.
P.S. We’re now buying for fall! We buy all day every day from the public. No appointment is necessary, and you can even add your name remotely from home with our waitlist app.
August 23, 2022 What We’re Wearing: Chunky Knitwear
In our minds, chunky knitwear takes second place only to chunky peanut butter. We love a good, cozy, snuggly fall sweater, and one made with soft and chunky yarn is pretty much the ultimate.
For some of us lucky enough to have knitting talents, we can fill our drawers with these gems. However, for the rest of us who only dream of being those talented knitters, we shop for them instead. And when we see a chunky knitwear piece on a thrift store rack, watch out.
We’ve actually added chunky knitwear to our seasonal selling guide, where we mark the seasonal trends we know our savvy and fashionable shoppers are looking for.
Take a look at some chunky knitwear style inspiration below, and make note of how it can look preppy or boho. More than anything, though, it just looks super warm and cuddly.
Our Crossroads stores are all about the fall season right now, so we’re keeping an eye out for chunky knitwear at our selling counters. Bring in any of your gently used ones to sell, or shop our racks for the ones we’ve bought in.
August 18, 2022 How to Sell Clothes to a Resale Store
There are no really big secrets about how to sell clothes to a resale store because the process is actually pretty simple and similar in different stores.
However, we know it helps to know what to expect when you fill up a bag of your gently-used clothes and bring them to a store like Crossroads Trading to sell.
So let us walk you through the steps and show you how easy it is. Remember, you can earn cash or store credit when you buy-sell-trade!
1. Look at the Store Racks
We always recommend stopping into the store first as a shopper. This way, you learn what styles and labels the buyers are looking for. If you don’t have time to do that in advance, many stores offer an online selling guide that will give you ideas.
2. Bring Your Bag of Clothing into the Store
Make sure the items are damage-free and freshly washed. Make an appointment if the store requires it (Crossroads doesn’t. We buy from the public all day every day).
3. Add Your Name to the Waitlist
You’ll usually find a list at the selling counter. At Crossroads, you do this on the tablet there. Or, you can even add your name to the waitlist before you leave home with the Crossroads app.
4. Wait for a Buyer to Call You
A buyer will call your name when it’s your turn to sell. You can shop while they’re looking through your clothes, or watch them buy to learn why they decide to buy what they do.
6. Redeem Your Cash or Store Credit
Once the buyer gives you the total, you can choose to redeem it for cash or store credit. We offer cash or trade based on a percentage of what we price your items for.
7. Shop the Store for Amazing Secondhand Finds
We know you got this part down. No explanation is needed. Happy shopping!
August 16, 2022 You May Need A Pair of Platform Shoes
Have you ever had a pair of platform shoes? (We see you, Gen X, nodding with an, of course!)
For those of you who haven’t tried them before, or those of you who don’t have a pair in your closet right now, it’s time to consider them. We’ve recently filed them under the trend “underground edge” in our fall trend guide.
If your closet can be described as full of ravewear, punk, or Victorian-inspired pieces, then a pair of platforms shoes will fit in perfectly amongst your baggy pants and corsets.
You may have one specific idea in mind when you think of platforms, but they come in different heights and styles to suit every style. There is the popular platform sandal, but also platform boots, heels, and sneakers.
Keep scrolling to see lots of examples.
As we mentioned, platforms are part of our seasonal selling guide. This is the guide you can use to buy and sell your pre-loved, excellent-condition clothing at any of our store locations. Learn what we’re looking for, and then refresh your fall wardrobe with us!