By Marcella Willden

Wow, where did this year go? It’s already almost fall, but it feels like it was just yesterday when summer started! If you’re still not sure how to transition your looks from the warmer weather to cooler temps, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading for our fav fall trends. 

Puff Sleeves & Prairiecore 
This trend is one of my personal favorites! It’s the perfect transitional piece for any wardrobe and a definite entry point for the prairiecore trend. You can dress up or dress down, wear with boots or sandals, you name it! Invest in one of these and it will become your go-to look for any season.

Sheer Volume 
Layer on the style this fall with blouses that are light on opacity and big on volume. Sheer pieces like this add something special to any look and are great for in-between temps where you can’t quite tell whether you’re hot or cold.

PSL, Please
Pumpkin spice anybody? Let’s be honest, as soon as the temps dip below 90, I pull out everything rust-hued. There’s just something about this warm tone that brings all the fall feels.

Slick Back in Metallics
I know what you’re thinking, but just hear me out! This fun metallic fabric will be your new favorite piece for out-of-this-world fall looks. Not ready to dive in with high-shine head-to-toe? Dabble in metallics with fun accessories like platform sneakers or a silver tote.

Blazer of Glory
And my final, most favorite fall trend? Oversized blazers! The layering possibilities are endless with these 80s-inspired pieces that come in fantastic runs of plaid and all variety of colors, from neutral to bright. Layer a tee underneath when it’s a bit warmer and add on a sweater as the temperature drops. 

I don’t know about you, but writing about all these fall trends gave me a sudden hankering to give my wardrobe a fast fall update! BRB – I gotta clean out my closet so I can trade it in for cool-weather finds. Need to clear some space for your fall-worthy wardrobe? Buffalo Exchange is buying for fall and the best of all seasons (especially menswear), so book an appointment online! They pay 25% of their selling price in cash or 50% through a Digital Store Trade Card.

Can you feel the chill in the air? Halloween is almost here! Even though we may not be able to go door-to-door trick-or-treating or attend a public Halloween bash this year, there are still plenty of ways to party. Here are a few activities to help you get into the Halloween spirit:

• Carve pumpkins with your besties on Facetime
• Virtual haunted house tours
• Halloween movie marathon + (online) viewing party
• Visit an outdoor pumpkin patch or corn maze 
• Send Trick-or-Treat emails to your friends (and don’t forget to send along something sweet, like a gift-card for goodies)!
• Host a virtual costume party on Zoom

Now that you’ve got a few ideas for how to celebrate while staying socially-distant, scroll through for some of our favorite Halloween costumes!

Crown yourself the May Queen of Halloween in a Midsommar group costume! 

Brave Halloween night as one of our favorite fearless book characters, Coraline.

We’re off to see the wizard — and the wonderful world of Halloween costumes at Buffalo Exchange!

Cross Halloween costume shopping off your list with the Kill Bill duo.

A Mean Girls group costume? That is so fetch!

DIY spaghetti and meatball costume? Now that’s what we call an ‘outfit recipe’!

Zoinks, it’s the witches – actually, it’s the Hex Girls! Team up with your squad, Zoom style, for a Mystery Inc group costume.

Put a smile on everyone’s face this Halloween with a spot-on Joker costume.

For a well-balanced breakfast – we mean, Halloween costume – shop at Buffalo Exchange.

One of our favorite dynamic duos from under-the-sea, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy from Spongebob Squarepants!

For Halloween looks that really snap, crackle and pop, DIY your own cereal mascot ensemble.

We’re seeing double with this Tethered ‘US’couples costume!

We SPY a groovy group costume: Austin Powers, Dr. Evil and more!

Spotted: Cruella De Vil and 1 of 101 Dalmatians!

Spotted: Cruella De Vil and 1 of 101 Dalmatians

Racing to find a last-minute costume? Mario and Princess Peach costumes will take you to the finish line!

Before the party’s over, dress up like our favorite ‘Bad Guy’, Billie Eilish!

Now that you’ve seen just a few of our favorite Halloween costumes, head to your local Buffalo Exchange to recreate one of these looks (or create your own — the possibilities are endless!). Before you go, you might want to take a look through your closet to see if you have any costume pieces to sell — we’re buying for Halloween (and fall, of course), and your costumes from last year could transform into cash or trade to spend on a spooktacular new look. Have a happy, safe and socially distanced Halloween, from Buffalo Exchange!

Ah, summertime! Even though your summer outings may feel a little different than usual this year, it’s still important to look and feel your best! Remix and refresh your warm-weather wardrobe by incorporating a few trends that can carry you straight into the next season. Read ahead for our favorite summer-to-fall, warm-weather trends that you can shop and rock without putting a dent in your bank account.

Au Naturel

Beige, cream, gray and everything in-between, neutral shades are seasonless wardrobe staples. Right now, we’re particularly loving breezy midi dresses, short suits made of cotton and linen and comfy cropped pants that are perfect for any temperature.

Breezy Botanicals 

When it comes to warm-weather trends, botanical prints – particularly those with leaves – are your best fronds! Try them out in the form of a casual button-up or a flirty, retro-inspired dress.

Neons for Eons

The neon trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon and, honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way — saturated day-glo hues are surprisingly versatile and can be muted or turned all the way up depending on your mood. Incorporate neons into your warm-weather wardrobe with a balance of long and short pieces: a trucker jacket paired with a mini skirt, graphic tees paired with joggers or a rad matching sweater and short-set!

Go for Gingham

We challenge you to tell us any print that’s more glorious for warm weather than gingham. This summertime staple simply never goes out of style! We love it in creative iterations like cropped pants and ruffle-detail skirts.

Matchy-Matchy Masks! 

And now, for our favorite warm-weather trend: a face mask! With a wide assortment of prints, solids, ties and elastics to choose from, there’s no shortage of ways to style them to match your existing wardrobe. However you choose to rock it, remember that you’re doing yourself and everyone around you a great service! 

Now that you’ve gotten some fresh inspiration for your warm-weather wardrobe, shop the trends at Buffalo Exchange! We’re stocked with tons of great pieces for this season and beyond. If you have a closet cleanout you’ve been waiting to sell, book an appointment online to sell! We’ll see you soon!

Whether you recently booked an appointment online to sell your closet cleanout and now have a digital trade card burning a hole in your inbox or you’re just coveting a closet refresh, Buffalo Exchange is open for all your secondhand shopping needs! Our stores have adapted to the new world of social distancing and we’ve implemented some new guidelines to keep shopping secondhand safe for everyone. Read ahead for everything you need to know about the new normal of shopping at Buffalo Exchange! 

Here’s the TL DR  of what’s new in our stores:

• Socially distancing throughout the store
• Dressing rooms are open
• We offer contactless payment like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay (cash and card still accepted!)
• Sneeze guards at every register and buy counter
• Increased cleaning

Maintain Social Distancing

While you’re shopping around, please be mindful of others and do your best to keep the recommended 6 feet of space between yourself and your fellow shoppers. This may mean doubling back to check out a super cute top you saw on a rounder where someone else was shopping, but we want everyone to feel comfortable and uncrowded while they browse around for those one-of-a-kind finds Buffalo Exchange is known for. We’ll have social-distancing reminders posted around the store, but feel free to reach out to an employee if another customer isn’t giving you the space you need!

New Protocols for Trying On 

Our dressing rooms are open , so check in with an employee when you’re ready to try on! 

Checking Out With Your Finds 

When you’re ready to purchase, you may notice things look a little different at the register: we’ve installed sneeze guards at checkout (and buy counters) as an extra safeguard. Once it comes time for payment, you can choose contactless payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and tap-to-pay credit cards. Don’t have one of these? We are still accepting credit cards and cash. Need to enter a pin? To reduce contact, we have disposable cotton swabs for you to use instead of pushing buttons directly on the card terminals. 

In addition, we have hand sanitizer throughout the store, regular cleaning and sanitation protocols and daily employee temperature checks. That’s it! Our stores are stocked, so stop in to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. We can’t wait to see you all back in the store again soon!

By Aarian Frye & Denise Lyons

New Orleans native Torrance Taylor has been shopping at Buffalo Exchange NOLA since 2006. Just like the iconic city around him, Torrance’s sense of style has evolved into something totally unique and undeniably Southern. Read ahead to learn more about where Torrance finds his fashion inspiration and why he loves Buffalo Exchange!

Suiting Up: Torrance’s Fashion Background 

Torrance was 14 years old when he realized he had a penchant for fashion. Growing up, some of his style icons were George Jefferson, Geoffrey Holder, Slick Rick and the original cast of Dynasty. Today, Torrance describes his style as “modern, ethnic, vintage with a dressier flare.”

What’s on His Fashion Wishlist? 

Presently, Torrance finds himself drawn to houndstooth, camouflage and African wax prints with batik-inspired designs — he’s also excited about the London Fog x Jeremy Scott collaboration, and hopes to add animal-print trench coats into his collection. Although he has a strong love of bold patterns, Torrance says that his favorite outfit is a simple and refined combination of cropped tailored pants and a timeless pewter blazer.

Why He Loves Shopping at Buffalo 

When we asked Torrance about what makes shopping at Buffalo Exchange so special, he tells us that “Buffalo carries things that no other store in New Orleans has. It’s one of the main ways I discover emerging brands.” He also says that it’s “a great way to revamp your closet” and always has a surprise in store: “During the 40th Anniversary Trailer Tour, I found a vintage Neiman Marcus printed jacket that I still wear.”

Torrance’s Number One Style Tip

For anyone working to refine their style, Torrance has this bit of advice: “Celebrate your youth, no matter your age. Establish your personality, and then your personal style. Create your own costumes and outfits that reflect who you are or want to be.” 

Has Torrance’s advanced style has inspired you to elevate your look? Get started on your style journey at your local Buffalo Exchange! With 51 locations across the country, there are boundless ways to express yourself through personal style. Before you go, don’t forget to bring in your closet cleanout — Buffalo Exchange buys clothing for all seasons year round, and those great pieces sitting in your closet could turn into cash or trade.

Each year, Buffalo Exchange teams up with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to award an artist in Southern Arizona with the Arts Award. Candidates are selected by two separate panels of experts who are familiar with the Southern Arizona Arts scene and judged based on both the candidates’ artistic endeavors and the impact they’ve made in the community. Since 1994, Buffalo Exchange has awarded almost $240,000 to 26 Southern Arizona artists.

Rebecca Block and Kerstin Block with Allison Miller and Bryan Falcón

For the 25th round of recipients in 2019, Buffalo Exchange Founder & President Kerstin Block and her daughter, Vice President Rebecca Block, celebrated by offering two awards of $10,000 – one in performing arts and one in visual arts.“We created the Arts Award because we believe art is essential to the well-being of the community,” says Kerstin. “This year, we’re glad for the chance to honor Allison and Bryan, who both have an incredible impact on the local area.”

Allison Miller with Buffalo Exchange Founder Kerstin Block and CFSA Director of Community Investments Kelly Huber

Meet Allison, a Tucson-Born Muralist
Allison Miller, a muralist and native of Tucson, has spent much of her career giving back to the community through public art projects. She currently coordinates and facilitates murals that are artistically accessible for community members, allowing young artists and other volunteers to contribute. “A lot of it for me is involving people in creating an identity for their specific space,” says Miller, “whether it’s a park or their jogging path. When people are invested in beautification, they keep it that way.” Having worked on dozens of murals, Miller’s art is a familiar sight and an ode to the unique identity of Tucson.

Scoundrel & Scamp Postcard: Images by Tim Fuller, Design by Cat Dog Mouse Media

Scoundrel & Scamp Production of Blood Wedding: Photo by Tim Fuller.

Bryan Falcón with Buffalo Exchange Founder Kerstin Block and CFSA Director of Community Investments Kelly Huber

Meet Bryan Falcón, Founder of Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre
Bryan Falcón, winner of the performing arts award, is the Artistic and Managing Director of the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre, a nonprofit he founded with his wife after becoming enamored with the art scene and diverse culture of Tucson. Bryan believes that theater uplifts society by transporting people to places that they would not otherwise go. “We have a chance to step into somebody else’s skin for a little while and try to understand and, hopefully, walk away with some sort of connection to the heart,” says Bryan.

Allison Miller Mural

It’s reasons like these that Buffalo Exchange has continued this award for the past 25 years. “Art is not something that humans do when they have nothing else to do,” said Spencer Block, Buffalo Exchange co-founder. “Art is an essential part of the human condition. It happens everywhere and in all circumstances.” To learn more about the history of the Arts Award and to see a list of all other artists who’ve been honored over the years, visit the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona’s website!

Happy awards season, everyone! While we certainly love watching our favorite celebs strut the red carpet, there’s another important accolade that comes to mind: the 2019 Buffalo Exchange Arts Award! According to Buffalo Exchange co-founder Spencer Block, art is not “the cherry on top” of life — rather, it is “essential to the well-being of society”. For the past two and a half decades, Buffalo Exchange has supported the creative spirit of Southern Arizona by honoring local artists, and performers with the Arts Award. Read ahead to learn more about the history of the Award and some of our past honorees. 

How the Arts Awards Came to Be

In 1994, Kerstin and Spencer Block founded The Buffalo Exchange Arts Award in partnership with the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA). Since that time, the Fund has awarded $10,000 a year to one deserving local artist. This has allowed artists to continue their work in the local community.  We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate 25 years of the Arts Award by honoring not just one, but two Southern Arizonans who’ve made a significant impact in the lives of fellow Arizonans through their work. This year’s dual award will go to Allison Miller for Visual Arts and Bryan Falcón for Performing Arts. They’ll both receive $10,000 to continue their excellent work in the community during a ceremony on January 30th, 2020 at the Community Foundation Campus.

Buffalo Exchange Arts Awards Honorees

Dante Celeiro, Community Leader and 2018 Arts Award Recipient

Dante Celeiro is a leader in the LGBTQIA+ community of Tucson. After moving from NYC to the desert over 25 years ago, Dante has worked with the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation and now manages Boys R Us, Arizona’s first gender performance group. Dante also created Fluxx, a non-profit organization that advocates for an open dialogue around queer culture and works to increase visibility of queer arts and culture through exhibitions, performance art and workshops.

Nathanael Gregory Myers, Multi-Discipline Performing Artist and 2017 Arts Award Recipient 

As a multidisciplinary artist, Nathanael has showcased his art throughout a wide array of Tucson venues – most notably through his work with the Museum of Contemporary Art and through performances at Artifact Dance Project and The Rogue Theatre (you can also find some of his paintings hung in galleries across town!). A painter, dancer and musician, Nathanael works to combine romanticism, biology and elements of nature as he explores the mediums of visual and performing arts.

Rachael Rios, Visual Artist and 2016 Arts Award Recipient

The 2016 Buffalo Exchange Emerging Artist in Visual Arts Award went to artist Racheal Rios. Rachael is a native Tucsonan who describes her drawings as a reflection of her relationship with the desert and the things that inhabit it — common elements of her artwork include cactus flowers and various Arizona wildlife such as coyotes, javelinas and jaguars.

Rick Wamer, Visual & Performing Artist and 2015 Arts Award Recipient 

Rick Wamer has been described by Tucson Weekly as “part dancer, part actor, part comedian”. Mentored by the famed French actor and mime Marcel Marceau, Rick is a globally recognized performing artist who inspires and touches the lives of thousands each year. Rick is the co-founder of Embody Learning in Tucson.

Chris Black, Performing Artist and 2014 Arts Award Recipient

Chris Black is a composer and performer from Tucson. Currently playing primarily as a solo double bassist, he is the founder of the alt-classical chamber music concert series ChamberLab.

Heather Green, Visual Artist and 2010 Arts Award Recipient

The 2010 Arts Award was bestowed upon visual artist Heather Green. In Green’s own words, her work examines the “historical and ecological narratives of the Northern Gulf of California and Sonoran Desert.” A Tucson native, Heather currently works in Tempe as Assistant Professor of Book Arts at Arizona State University.

Since its creation in 1994, Buffalo Exchange has awarded over $214,000 to artists in Southern Arizona. As we look forward to the next decade, we’re reminded of a quote from Spencer Block: “Artists are the visionaries. They go where no one has gone and show us the way.” In 2020 and the years beyond, we can count on Buffalo Exchange and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to continue to celebrate artists in our community so they may continue their work, and in turn, continue to show us the way into the future.

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. Our Tokens for Bags® program has raised over $803,000 for thousands of local charities since 1994, saving over 16.06 million bags from polluting the environment!

Find your local Buffalo Exchange below and check out the charities you can give back to.

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By Marcella Willden & Savy Kroop

The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to take your favorite sweaters out of your closet and rock them at all of the holiday parties! Don’t want to repeat the same look from last year? Buffalo Exchange has your back! Stop into your local Buffalo for tons of cute and cozy options. OR, if you’re you feeling a little crafty, you can try DIY-ing your own holiday sweater. This festive cactus sweater is a fun twist on a traditional holiday sweater that we’re sure will have you looking ON-POINT this season!

What You’ll Need to DIY Your Cactus Holiday Sweaters

The first (and maybe obvious) step is to get a sweater! You can sift through your closet to find one you don’t wear anymore or you can stop by your local Buffalo Exchange to pick one up – like we did! We found these cute, coordinating gray sweaters with statement sleeves for extra festive flair. While we were out-and-about, we stopped into the dollar store to get all of our crafting supplies. In total, we spent about $30 on this project for both sweaters and it only took about 30 minutes from start to finish. We had so much fun DIY-ing these sweaters that I think we found a new holiday tradition!

Supplies:

Sweater, Felt, Pom pom balls, Pipe cleaners, Hot glue gun and glue sticks, Scissors, Marker, Optional: Other crafty supplies like ribbon and glitter

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By Aarian Frye, Photography by Jordan Bowens, Justin Brooks and Fred Attenborough

We recently had the pleasure of talking with Angelica Sundae, a hairstylist by day and electrifying drag performer by night. Angelica has been shopping at Buffalo Exchange for fifteen years, first in Las Vegas and currently at BE Manhattan. Read ahead for a Q+A about Angelica’s one-of-a-kind style, love for Buffalo finds and even a bit of fashion advice fit for a queen!

How would you describe your drag style?

A mix of dark, gothic glamour, Vegas showgirl glitz, and good old-fashioned buffoonery. The idea of being stunningly beautiful and also completely ridiculous is very appealing to me!

What do you like about shopping at Buffalo?

I have ALWAYS had luck finding interesting pieces there and I love that I can put together a really great look that doesn’t drain my bank account.

What type of events/performances do you go all-out for, fashion-wise? 

Holidays (Halloween, New Year’s) as well as for events that I produce, such as my show ”Snack Theater” at Chelsea Music Hall in Manhattan.

What pieces are you currently looking to add to your wardrobe? 

An extravagant robe and opera-length gloves in every color!

What fashion advice would you give to others?

Listen to yourself. If you know your body and you try different silhouettes, you will eventually find not only what looks best on you, but what makes you feel like a confident boss. Confidence is necessary to work any look.

Feeling inspired to add some glitz and glamour into your wardrobe? Take a cue from Angelica Sundae and find fabulous pieces on a budget at your local Buffalo Exchange! Secondhand shopping has never been so chic.