Cool Recycled Apparel for Pennies

Did you ever have a friend whose wardrobe was simply killer? If like me you had one of those relationships with a friend where you could pick over the wardrobe when they thought they were finished, then you know how much fun resale shopping can be. However, even at resale prices, gently worn can get expensive. What if I told you that you could find current hip apparel, gently worn at near Goodwill prices??? That you could trade nice stuff you were no longer wearing for an in store credit that same day. Do ya think you’d always have something new and cool in your closet without any serious expense…? YOU BET!

Welcome to the newest trend of trading and buying used apparel. This trend took off in the LA area about 3 years ago, with young hip Hollywood-ites figuring out how to have a dollar worth of stuff for a dime. The truth is that all truly hip shoppers have at one time bought used apparel and the trend has been with us on and off since at least WWI.  Clothes are being recycled!  Hold on to your *%&#@… You’re in for a fun surprise.

I stopped into Cross Roads Trading Company on a Wednesday morning and it was busy with a steady stream of shoppers.  I noticed immediately that there was no used clothing store smell and they had well organized racks and nice dressing rooms. I was greeted immediately and asked if I knew how the store worked. I lied and said yes. I wanted to snoop first. My snooping turned into a shopping expedition before I knew it; cause the first piece I picked up was a Prada short wool skirt from this last fall for $15 in my size. Now they had my attention.

At first glance savings looked to be from 50%-90% off original pricing with the best discounts on the higher end goods. As I went through the racks over the next two hours I noticed a few damaged and a couple stained items, but not enough to deter my excitement.

In the women’s shoe area I spotted several superb deals on barely worn shoes. Fantastic pair of Stuart Weitzman red patent leather pumps in mint condition were $15. I ‘ve seen Stuart Weitzman at up to $220. Some new Club Monaco suede pumps were $18. Retail is $90. Charles David cream slide mules “like new” were $16.50. Perhaps $130 new. Some shoes had more wear than others but the deals were there. The Men’s shoes were well stocked with men’s Ferragamo loafers for $35 instead of a new $210. Some really nice Kenneth Cole Oxfords a few years old but not worn were $25.

Cool and trendy tees and summer tops graced one rack with prices from $3-$11. Addidas, BCBG, Forever 21, Trina Turk. The next rack had tons of jeans both designer labels and good old Levi’s. Juicy Jeans were here at $25, new $120. Earl Jeans were well represented with styles from the last two-year at $35. I even saw some Marc Jacob jeans for $47.50. Levi stretch jeans were $16 as was the Lucky Brand. A good selection of skirts with names like Banana Republic, BCBG, Laundry, Esprit and more running from $4- $16 and a perfect, no labels suede skirt for $12.50.

Both classic styled blouses and those oh so trendy blouses were available. Peasant, man tailored, wrap and ruffled flowing were arranged more by color than size. A To The Max white gauze blouse was $35, new maybe $80-$100. Arden B, new with tags wrap blouse from last year was $22 and a tie up shirt by Split was $18.50.

Men’s selection of apparel was just as trendy and hip as the women’s with cool labels like Mossimo, Structure, Gap and Guess. But I found the best again in the higher end. An YSL yellow button down classic cotton was $18.75. An Armani Exchange lightweight sweater was a mere $6.25. Costume National is a very exclusive line and a men’s shirt here in mint condition was $21.50. I can’t imagine it would sell for anything less than $90 new.  A James Perse new with tags trouser was $16.50. Retail is $45. Fresh Jive trousers were $30 instead of $65. A totally fun and funky lace up shirt by Krush was also $20. 

A neat selection of accessories including hats and handbags grace one wall with newer accessories at the front desk. I would guess about ¼ of the store are items that have never been worn and ¾ gently worn a few times.

As I was shopping and snooping I had collected quite an armload of goods. These were taken to a dressing room for me so I could keep going. I wished I had brought in some pieces I never wore so I could trade them at 50% trade. You only get 40% if you want cash back. They only take clean, in season merchandise. No summer goods in winter.

I walked out with several hip summer tops at less than $25. With two stores now in Los Angeles and plans for more, I ‘m sure all of us will benefit from such an old concept taken to a much hipper place. I know I will.

Cross Roads Trading Company: 

8315 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.654.0505

7409 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.782.8100

Also stores in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Stockton and Seattle
www.crossroadstrading.com

Happy Bargain Hunting!
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-Suzanne O'Connor
  BargainsLA.com