Fall is finally on it’s way! Break out the booties, stock up on sweaters and jam out in jackets – your local Buffalo Exchange has it all! Stop by to refresh your winter wardrobe with everything you need. Plus be sure to clean out your past favorites to make room for more and even earn trade towards your purchase. See ya soon!
By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ
Ok guys, I’m going to level with you: moving to a new city is really hard! When I decided to leave behind my best friends and family for the sand-colored pastures of Tucson, AZ, I was bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Even though I was going to miss our Portland, Oregon store, where I had first started with the company as a Buyer and then Associate Manager, I was excited to be taking on a new role in the Buffalo Exchange Marketing Department. I fancied myself to be bold, daring, independent. And so I packed all my worldly possessions into my teeny-tiny Chevy Spark and tottered my way down to the desert. When I got here, though, I wasn’t quite so bold and daring as I thought. Instead, when I wasn’t at work, I spent a lot of time feeling lonely and out-of-place. Here’s what I did to ease my way into life in a brand new city!
The best way to get your bearings after moving to a new city is to get out and see what it has to offer. Take a walking photo tour of the downtown area – no doubt, you’ll happen across cool murals, interesting architecture and local restaurants you might like to try. In my case, I even came across a beautiful end-to-end rainbow (thanks, desert monsoons!). A photo tour is especially great because it’ll give you the chance to show off your new neighborhood to all of your friends and family back home.
My first priority when moving to a new city? Finding out where to shop! Go figure that the Buffalo Exchange here quickly became my favorite place to buy clothes in Tucson. Since each store buys most of its inventory from people in the neighborhood, shopping at Buffalo is also a good way to get a feel for the local area.
Always wanted to learn woodworking or take piano lessons? Now’s your chance! Before moving to a new city, make a list of hobbies you’d like to try and start researching classes or teachers. Personally, I started voice lessons, choir, a fiction writing workshop, kickboxing, rock climbing and eventually even played in a musical. It kept me very busy, but I don’t regret a single late night – after all, how many chances do you have to devote yourself wholeheartedly to your own interests?
Joining a club is a great way to meet likeminded new people and get involved in a local community. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s probably a club (or at least a Meetup or Facebook group) for it, so get Googling! When I found myself moving to a new city, I decided it might be cool to take up caving, so I did a quick Google search for “caving club” and found out when their next meeting was. Little did I know that the people I met there would become some of my closest friends in the area! Not only did I find something I was extremely passionate about, but I found a community that I really felt like I belonged to – definitely a make or break decision.
No matter where you move to, there’s guaranteed to be something cool about it – a beautiful hiking area, a breathtaking viewpoint, a phenomenal art museum, a fun amusement park or an artsy historic town. As you’re settling into your new space, start making a bucket list of things to do in the area. Then, when you’re feeling homesick, get out your calendar and start scheduling them out.
When I found myself laying on the floor of my studio apartment in existential despair – oh wait, did I say that out loud? – it helped to have something to look forward to other than a weekend alone putting together Ikea furniture. My Tucson/Arizona bucket list included everything from the botanic gardens and the planetarium to the historic mining town of Bisbee and the Grand Canyon.
The number one rule of moving to a new city, though, is keeping at it! When the going gets tough and you miss your friends and family back home, keep on putting yourself out there, trying new activities and being the fierce, independent person you are. You never know when one thing will lead to the next and finally click into place. I’ll admit that I felt pretty homesick the first 6 months or so. I felt like I’d finally landed my dream position and was proud of myself for making such a bold move, but it took a while to make some good friends and feel at home in a strange land. All things in time. You’ll soon be rolling down the streets of your new city like you always lived there! In the meantime, if you ever need to see a friendly face, just stop by Buffalo Exchange. We’re happy to give recommendations for fun things to do in your local area!
By Savannah Timpani, Buffalo Exchange HQ
Ah, summer – time to pull out your favorite pair of shades and dust off your party pants. Whether you’ll be beachside working on your tan, adventuring in the outdoors or shopping your way across the US, here are some packing tips to help make your summer vacation the best one yet!
If you’re like me, you’ll be tempted to bring everything in your closet. To avoid getting overwhelmed, start by pulling out items you’re naturally drawn to and then piecing looks together. Try matching one blouse with a few different bottoms or consider a dress that can easily change from day to night. Choosing pieces that can work in a variety of different ways is one of the most important packing tips to remember! Definite must-haves: a reliable pair of jeans, comfortable walking shoes and an on-the-go bag like a crossbody or backpack.
I also like to think about when and where each look will fit into my summer vacation. For example, if I’m going to be out all day brunching, shopping and then beaching, I’m going to choose something comfortable and cute like a breezy sun dress and my favorite casual sneakers. I’ll throw my swimsuit and flip flops in my bag for an easy transition to the beach. Bonus: while packing, if I happen to run across any pieces in my closet that I’m just not loving anymore, I also take the opportunity to pull ‘em out of and throw them into a bag to sell at Buffalo Exchange! There’s no better way to start a vacation off than with a clean house and a clean closet.Full Story
By Aarian Frye, Buffalo Exchange HQ
From sea to shining sea, people across the country are gearing up for America’s birthday. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate and there’s an outfit for every event! Read ahead for 4th of July outfits to keep the party going from day to night.
Feeling red, white and aquamarine this Independence Day? Whether you’re at the pool or on a cruise, make a splash in a bright one-piece (one of the season’s trendiest swimsuit styles!) and bold accessories. When you’re ready to dry off, top off the swimsuit with a pair of star-spangled cutoffs. For guys, a simple tank with swim-optional board shorts makes for one of those 4th of July outfits that you can wear from one occasion to the next. Just remember to wear sunscreen!
If you’re looking forward to a laidback 4th, a backyard BBQ is the place for you. Take it easy in a striped denim apron dress and colorful sneakers, complete with semi-tinted shades. Or, show everyone you’re the Grill Master with a patterned button down printed with mini steaks, burgers and sauce bottles. A pair of pastel patterned shorts provides contrast with the right amount of cool.
If baseball is America’s favorite pastime, the 4th of July is the perfect day to head out to the diamond – and the best place to go all out in red, white and blue! Show your team spirit with a jersey and baseball cap, or dress for comfort and style in a roomy romper with classic white sneakers and an oversized sunhat.
No Independence Day is complete without an evening of fireworks! If you’re planning on ending the night at a downtown block party, these are the 4th of July outfits for you: dress your best in a bright matching cabana set or a sequined tube top that’s sure to rival the sparklers. Finish your look with glitter jellies or neutral brogues, perfect for dancing the night away.
Oh say, can you see yourself trying out any of these 4th of July outfits? Be sure to stop by your local Buffalo Exchange before Independence Day to style your own patriotic summertime look. From the lake to the game, we’ve got you covered – fireworks not included!
Every six months, we support new local charities through our Tokens for Bags® program. Instead of giving out bags, we give customers the opportunity to donate five cents (the cost of the bag) to a charity of their choice. Since 1994, we have raised over $774,365 for thousands of local nonprofit organizations through our Tokens for Bags® program, saving 15.4 million bags from polluting the environment.
Find your local Buffalo Exchange below and check out the charities you can give back to.
By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ
We know it can sometimes seem intimidating to sell clothes at your local resale store – it’s enough work just to clean out your closet, let alone figure out which items will sell and which won’t. Well, leave that part up to us! All you need to do is bring your clothes (shoes and accessories, too!) into your local Buffalo Exchange and get paid. Even better, take the trade and shop for new-to-you finds!
To sell clothes at Buffalo Exchange, the process is super easy. Simply clean out your closet and bring in the items you’re no longer wearing. We buy men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories, the best of all seasons, year-round. Style and good condition are more important than brand, so bring in your whole cleanout, from designer to name brand to no-brand.
Stop in to see us anytime we’re open – we buy all day, every day and there’s no appointment needed to sell. Make sure to bring along a government-issued ID like a Driver’s License or Passport (and an adult if you’re under 18).
When you get to the store, we recommend hanging out with your Buyer as they take a look through your cleanout. For each item we’re able to take, your Buyer will let you know our selling price. From that, you’ll get 30% in cash or 50% in store credit. For example, if we price an item for $20, you’ll receive $6 in cash or $10 in trade on-the-spot. If you decide you’d rather hold onto an item, no problem – just let your Buyer know! We do need to see items in person in order to say whether or not we can buy them and offer you a selling price, so we always recommend stopping into the store with any items you’d like to sell.
We’re going to let you in on a little secret: trade is the way to go! Even if you’re trying to cut down on clutter overall, trading your cleanout in for a few new-to-you finds is a great (and often free!) way to make your closet feel brand new again. Not to mention that it’s environmentally friendly. Pro Tip: When it comes to cash and trade, you have options. You can buy a few pieces and take your remaining value in cash or even take a trade card for later. Just head to the register before you leave to pick up your cash, trade or any combination of the two!
At Buffalo Exchange, our Buyers go through a lengthy training process to learn about clothing construction and brands, price points and what kinds of items sell well in the store. After that, they analyze our racks daily to see which items have been selling quickly and which ones have been sticking around.
Our Buyers also talk to customers to find out what styles they’d like to see more of. It’s our goal to offer something for everyone – that’s why we buy current trends, vintage, one-of-a-kind items, inclusive sizing, everyday staples, men’s fashion and more. When our Buyers aren’t helping customers or reviewing our inventory, they’re often doing research on brands and current trends. As a result, our staff is a wealth of fashion knowledge! Ever wondered why they’re buying certain items from your pile and passing on others? Just ask! We love to talk fashion.
Whether you’re patting yourself on the back for a closet cleanout well done or you’re still in the “I’m so dreading this” phase, we’ve got you covered. When you’re ready, you can sell clothes, shoes and accessories at Buffalo Exchange in just a couple simple steps. We have 47 locations across the country, but if there’s not one near you, don’t worry – you can Sell By Mail!
By Jessica Pruitt, Buffalo Exchange HQ; Clothing from Buffalo Exchange Tucson
Calling all dads! Are you hip to the jive? Are you jiggy with it? You bet you are! If you’re rocking socks with sandals, chunky white sneakers and slightly oversized Hawaiian shirts, this is your time to shine! Go figure – we all finally realized that our dads were right when they told us that practicality is important. Read on to find out our favorite dad fashion of the year!
Beach dad is ready to catch a wave or change a diaper – whichever comes first! For a perfectly practical fun-in-the-sun look, we paired some 80s-style swim trunks with a striped tee, a Hawaiian-print shirt (of course!) a retro Ocean Pacific hat and Tevas. This Patagonia messenger bag makes for a surreptitious way to tote diapers, sand toys and sunscreen for the whole family. Dad fashion done right!
For the dad with a million and one things to do, you can’t beat these Columbia shorts (easy to clean!) and this dinosaur pocket tee. Not only is your kid sure to love it, but the pocket makes a great place to store a pacifier. Finish off the look with a beige Disney hat (VERY 90s dad, if you ask us), comfy Vans and couch potato-print socks to express what you’d rather be doing.
By Aarian Frye, Buffalo Exchange HQ
Summer is by far my favorite season. The longer days give way to warm nights that feel full of possibility. It’s the season of “Yes, and – .“ For example: “Do you want to go to the beach?” “Yes, AND let’s check out this free concert in the park!” See what I mean? The only hard part of all this freedom is deciding what to wear. With so many cute summer trends, how do you decide what’s necessary to have in your closet? I’ve got you covered! Whether you plan on relaxing at home or heading out on a cross-country roadtrip with your best friends, read ahead for the summer essentials you’ll want to have in your wardrobe.
This season, macramé and crochet are for more than just art projects! We’re seeing this knit and knot technique used everywhere, from pants and shorts to tank tops. Find yourself a matching rainbow set for double the fun.
By Amelia Gotobed
Summer is going to be here before we know it – and with it comes new trends to try on. Our favorite? Sporty chic looks with touches of red, white and blue. And don’t worry – you don’t need to be an athlete to rock them!
Taking a cue from sports uniforms of the past, lots of this summer’s styles are featuring retro athletic details like taping up the sides. These give a sporty chic update to otherwise routine outfits. We love seeing this on everything from dresses and rompers to denim and high tops. Doesn’t this romper look like it would go perfectly with a pair of roller skates and tube socks?
By Aarian Frye, Buffalo Exchange HQ
There are many things I love about my mother, from her sense of humor to her generous spirit. If I had to choose one of my favorites things about her, it’s that she’s never been risk-adverse. She’s braver than I am by a long shot, and doesn’t back down from a challenge… unless the challenge is allowing me – her one and only daughter (Hi, Mom!) – to dress her in outfits outside of her comfort zone. However, she agreed when I added in this one important caveat: my mom could dress me as well *cue ominous lightning strike*. Read ahead for our Freaky Friday of an afternoon shopping session at Buffalo Exchange Tucson to celebrate Mother’s Day.
First, my mom picks out this checkered skirt and off-the-shoulder blouse for me – good job, Mom! This actually looks like a lot of the things I already own. My only hang up is the silhouette of the skirt – I don’t find the knee-length bell shape to be particularly flattering on me. This would be an ideal look for a Mother’s Day brunch, though, and I could definitely see myself wearing this outfit beyond the Buffalo Exchange dressing rooms!
“Oh, Aarian, no,” is my mother’s response to this striped ruffle blouse and floral jeans. Oops. Guess my mom is not much of a pattern clasher. Nonetheless, she tries them on – and doesn’t totally hate it! This is a huge victory in my eyes. If you’re also hesitant about mixing patterns, I recommend keeping the color scheme soft and simple, like we did here.
