By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ

So you’ve read Marie Kondo’s book on cleaning out, you’ve made several trips to The Container Store and you’ve spent a whole lot of time visualizing a clean, organized closet. And yet…you’re still stuck with a pile of clothes on the floor. We get it. That’s why we’ve compiled our favorite tips for cleaning out your closet and earning cash for clothes you just don’t wear anymore.  Read on to set yourself up for some major wardrobe wins!

Clean Out Seasonally

To prevent your cleanout from being overwhelming, go through your closet once per season (every 3-6 months, depending on what works for you). When you do, start by pulling out all of the out-of-season pieces. Store the ones you think you’ll wear next year and pack up the rest in a bag to sell. Resale stores like Buffalo Exchange always buy the best of all seasons, so even if the weather’s warming up, you may still be able to sell the fantastic down jacket that’s just not your color.

Create a Special Section in Your Closet

I don’t know about you, but I always have a hard time figuring out what to do with sentimental pieces, party dresses and one-of-a-kind vintage. I hardly wear these items and honestly get tired of looking at them, so I’m tempted to sell them every time I clean out. On the other hand, I can’t bear to part with unique pieces that I may never see again.

The solution? Give them their own special section in your closet! This’ll make it a whole lot easier to get dressed each morning. Plus, when you want to switch up your standard wardrobe, you’ll have a whole section of pieces that feel new and exciting to throw on. If you end up finding that you’re still not wearing these items, keep in mind that Buffalo Exchange loves to buy vintage and one-of-a-kind finds.

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By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ

Attention all Earth Day $1 Day shoppers! If you stopped by to score some $1 finds last Saturday, April 21, you ought to give yourself a huge high five. Thanks to everyone who came out, we raised $51,471 for The 5 Gyres Institute, a non-profit doing great work in the area of ocean plastic pollution. That’s a whole lot of happy turtles – and we couldn’t have done it without you! In the four months leading up to Earth Day, we also collected over 1,464 furs through our Coats for Cubs Drive, which are shipping out to animal rehabilitators across the nation as we speak.

A Little Bit About Our Earth Day $1 Day Sale

On Saturday, April 21, customers lined up around the block at 47 Buffalo Exchange stores nationwide to shop a special selection of clothing for $1 apiece. For these shoppers, brunch could wait – they knew that $1 items go quickly, so it’s best to get to the store early! Whether it was pouring rain (we’re looking at you, Texas) or hedging on 90 degrees (ahem, Tucson), the sale went on!

Over the past 20 years, Buffalo Exchange’s Earth Day $1 Day Sales have raised more than $665,000 for a variety of charities and environmental causes. Last year, all funds raised went to the Humane Society of the United States and their efforts to promote pet adoption. Other charities we’ve supported include Center for Biological Diversity and their water conservation efforts.

And Don’t Forget Coats for Cubs!

From January 1 until Earth Day every year, we invite customers to donate their unwanted furs in any condition to our Coats for Cubs Drive. We then ship these off to wildlife rehabilitators across the country, who repurpose them into bedding to provide warmth and comfort to recovering animals. Since taking this initiative over from The Humane Society in 2006, we have collected over 15,108 furs for animals in need. This year, we collected over 1,464 furs, all thanks to you guys.

But it doesn’t stop there – we give back to the community all year round! At every one of our 47 Buffalo Exchange stores, we support three local non-profits at a time through our Tokens for Bags program. Instead of giving out plastic bags, we give out 5 cent charity tokens – the result is over $728,595 raised for thousands of local nonprofits and almost 14.5 million plastic bags kept out of the environment. Want to give back just by shopping? Stop by your local Buffalo Exchange to recycle your closet cleanout and shop fun spring finds!

By Danielle Hargett, Buffalo Exchange HQ

Every year, we choose a different environmental charity to support through our Earth Day $1 Day Sale. For 2018, we’re thrilled to announce that all proceeds from the sale will go to The 5 Gyres Institute! 5 Gyres is an organization dedicated to using science, art, education and adventure to understand and reduce plastic pollution.

Mark Your Calendars

Clear your schedule – our 21^st annual Earth Day $1 Day Sale is coming up on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at all locations, excluding outlets. A special selection of men’s and women’s fashion will be available for just $1 apiece. All proceeds of the sale will be donated to The 5 Gyres Institute in support of their efforts to research ocean plastic pollution and engage communities in the responsible use, design and disposal of plastic materials.

So, What’s a Gyre?

A gyre, pronounced jy-yure, is a ring-like oceanic current system. There are 5 subtropical gyres in the ocean (hence the non-profit’s name!) and, in 2011, 5 Gyres discovered evidence of plastic in all of them. Since then, they have been studying how plastic travels to these gyres and the effects it has on marine ecosystems, wildlife and human health.

#BeadFree

5 Gyres may be relatively new, beginning in 2009, but they’ve been at the forefront of major environmental challenges and accomplishments. A notable example is the 2015 U.S. ban on plastic microbeads – tiny pieces of plastic found in cosmetics that you can’t see or filter out. Thanks to their research on plastic pollution and their #BeadFree campaign, the sale and manufacturing of these plastic microbeads are now banned in the United States.

Moving Towards a Plastic Pollution Solution

Current 5 Gyres programs include their TrawlShare, Plastics BAN (Better Alternatives Now) List and Mi Mar educational initiative, just to name a few. Through their Trawlshare program, they engage citizen scientists and are able to broaden their data collection on marine plastic pollution. Their Plastics BAN List gives consumers the chance to learn about the materials they regularly use and provides options for better alternatives to plastic.

One of their newest initiatives, Mi Mar, or My Sea in Spanish, is a program that encourages underserved high school students to learn about plastic pollution through one-day research expeditions off the coast of L.A. Through their programming, they work to spread awareness about the issue, create community engagement and spark ideas for long-term solutions.

BYOB!

Like what you hear? Support 5 Gyres and their mission to reduce plastic pollution by shopping our Earth Day $1 Day Sale this April! To minimize plastic use and maximize your clothing carrying capacity, be sure to bring your own reusable bag to the sale (or buy one of ours, made from 70% recycled bottles)! Don’t forget that the sale is cash only and that $1 items go quickly, so plan to arrive at the store early! For opening hours, check your local Buffalo Exchange. To learn more about 5 Gyres and find out other ways to get involved with this year’s Earth Day $1 Day Sale beneficiary, visit 5gyres.org.

By Danielle Hargett, Buffalo Exchange HQ

For our annual Earth Day $1 Day Sale, we’re teaming up with The 5 Gyres Institute to help turn the tide on plastic pollution in the ocean! At the sale, we will offer a selection of clothing for just $1 apiece. All proceeds from the sale of $1 items will be donated to 5 Gyres in support of their efforts to research ocean plastic pollution and engage communities in the responsible use, design and disposal of plastic materials. Fortunately, it’s easy to be a part of the solution! Here are a few simple things you can do at home to reduce your plastic use:

1. Carry a reusable water bottle. Not only does a refillable bottle make good environmental sense, it’s good for your bank account. Three cheers for staying hydrated without contributing to plastic pollution in the ocean! Full Story

By Danielle Hargett, Buffalo Exchange HQ

“Art is not something that humans do when they have nothing else to do. Art is an essential part of the human condition. It happens everywhere and in all circumstances.” – Spencer Block, Co-founder of Buffalo Exchange

Every year, the Buffalo Exchange Arts Award honors an emerging artist in Southern Arizona with $10,000 so that they can continue doing great work for the local community. This year, the award went to Nathanael Gregory Myers. On January 24, 2018, family, friends and other local artists gathered at the University of Arizona Poetry Center to celebrate as Nathanael accepted the award. Luckily for everyone in attendance, he also offered up a very cool performance!

Nathanael Myers accepting the 2017 Buffalo Exchange Arts Award from Kerstin Block, Founder of Buffalo Exchange

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By Aarian Frye, Buffalo Exchange HQ

Welcome to 2018! If you’re anything like me, you don’t consider the New Year to have truly started until spring rolls around. Once the frosty air gives way to warmer temps and sprigs of grass begin to spring from the ground, we’re finally able to shed the layers of yester-year and embark on a new – or recycled – fashion journey. From the runways to the streets, we’re seeing tons of 80s and 90s style inspo this year, from polka dots and denim to completely saturated monochromes and sorbet pastels. If you’re ready to have some fun with your closet, read ahead for the full scoop on spring 2018 trends!

Snap on, Snap Off: Belt Bags

You probably saw this one coming: fanny packs – or “belt bags” as they are now called – are here to stay as one of the most useful spring 2018 trends. These waist packs aren’t what your parents wore during the family trip to Disneyland. Instead, we’re seeing belt bags with minimal pockets in sizes ranging from wallet to supersized. Go the traditional route and snap it around your middle or loop one arm through to wear as a chic crossbody.

Suit Yourself!

Dapper Dans of the world, rejoice: the two-piece suit has returned! Whether you go classic with a blue linen blend that has sleek lapels or edgy with a double-breasted, grid-patterned short set, there is something sure to suit your every mood.

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By Buffalo Exchange Brooklyn (Boerum Hill)

When you’re getting excited for spring style, but freezing temps and snowstorms keep popping up, what to do? Dressing for in-between seasons can be difficult, so here at Buffalo Exchange Brooklyn (Boerum Hill), we’re taking inspiration from street style seen on some of the top NYC fashion bloggers. Copy these looks to stay warm while wearing some of the pieces you’ve been stockpiling for spring!

Man Repeller’s Layering Magic

To get this Man Repeller-inspired look, we went for a fun combo of bright colors and textures. We started with gold Nike Cortez sneakers and a puffer jacket, then added plenty of textures in between to really develop the layered effect. We can definitely see wearing these gold sneakers all the way into spring and are already envisioning all the outfits they might be paired with!

Aleali May’s Casual Cool Street Style

For this look, we got our street style inspiration from Aleali May, pairing chic distressed denim with heeled booties, a fun corset top and a faux furry jacket. This is a great way to start wearing your favorite new spring pieces now! Sporty and bold, Aleali May’s streetwear style is casually chic. Her staple piece? An oversized jacket worn with joggers or jeans and heels or sneakers.

Brooklyn Blonde’s Timeless Look

The Brooklyn Blonde has a classic, polished style with go-tos like black shades, chic handbags and classic coats. We took street style inspiration from her for this outfit by pairing a Zara jacket with Reformation jeans, an oversized scarf and simple flats with a pop of color. Come spring, simply peel of the scarf and jacket and you have yourself a look that’s casual and polished all at once!

If you’re living a spring daydream, but it’s still 14 degrees outside, don’t despair! Look to your favorite Instagram accounts (including @BuffaloExchange!) for winter-to-spring street style outfit inspiration. Then, stop by your local Buffalo Exchange for tons of spring pieces you can start wearing now. Oh, and while you’re there, don’t forget to bring in your spring cleanout for cash or trade on-the-spot!

By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ; Outfits styled from Buffalo Exchange Tucson

Valentine’s Day may have been invented by Hallmark way back when, but hey, I’ll take any excuse I can to dress up. Er, to celebrate my loved ones, I mean! Whether you’re planning on getting drinks with friends, going out for a fancy dinner, staying in to make dinner for two or having an impromptu snowball fight, these are some of our favorite Valentine’s Day outfit options!

She’s So Metal

I love this Valentine’s Day outfit for a night out with your besties. The metallic trend takes a turn for the romantic when paired with a fuchsia lace blouse. Add an extra pop with hoop earrings and a beaded clutch, then complete your look with tights and slides. Bonus: you’ll definitely want to re-wear this metallic origami skirt all year long.

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By Aarian Frye, Buffalo Exchange HQ; Photos from Buffalo Exchange Ventura.

After the holidays, when all the champagne is gone and all the sparklers are burnt out, it’s not unusual to find your closet stuffed to the gills with fun pieces you bought and only wore to one – albeit spectacular! – party. If you’d like to give ‘em one more chance to make an appearance in your #OOTDs before you sell to your local Buffalo Exchange, read ahead to see how easy it can be to bring your NYE looks from night to day with a few key pieces.

Night-to-Day Incog-neato!

A metallic dress befitting a starry night filled with fireworks can be brought back down to earth with a low-key trench jacket made from a comfortable jersey knit. Incorporate a chic translucent cross-body from the night before and slip-on trainers. Top it off with a dad hat to stylishly hide the bed head you may or may not (totally!) have.  Full Story

By Buffalo Exchange Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

Having a job in fashion is a great way to explore new styles and refine your own personal tastes – especially when that job is at Buffalo Exchange, where new inspiration comes into the store daily! Buffalo Exchange Los Angeles (Santa Monica) employee Danyel loves bringing her streetwear-inspired personal style to work every day and constantly discovering new things about fashion. As she puts it, Buyers are “50% fashion encyclopedias, 50% curious.” Read on to find out more!

How would you describe your personal style?
I like to think of my style as street mixed with a touch of elegance. My go-to look is tomboy/chic, which basically means an oversized T-shirt or dress, jeans and sneakers (or heels if I’m going out on the weekend). Add a cute cross-body bag and, of course, BIG HAIR and I’m all set!

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