It really isn’t hard to understand why shoppers looking for fresh styles and affordable prices might want to find some other stores like PacSun.
Sure, PacSun (short for Pacific Sunwear of California) carries a pretty wide range of apparel from hip and relevant brands, in addition to selling their own in-house line of clothes.
But while they do offer a lot of different pieces, they all fall into the same small handful of (very casual) clothing categories.
Plus, their overall style skews quite young, so it doesn’t take long before you out-grow their aesthetic.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are a ton of modern and stylish clothing brands out there, so you don’t have to look too far to find some great alternatives to PacSun.
Below you’ll find a list of stores like PacSun where you can find good-looking, well made and well priced clothes.
The Top Stores Like PacSun
Breaking Down the Best Brands Like PacSun
Forever 21
Arguably one of PacSun’s closest competitors, Forever 21 has a similar focus on a young demographic and clothes that are stylish, hip and of-the-moment.
But while PacSun carries both their own in-house clothes and a wide range of other cool and popular clothing brands, Forever21 exclusively sells clothes from their in-house label, meaning you won’t find their stuff anywhere else.
Asos
Unlike Forever 21, Asos adopts an approach that’s more similar to stores like PacSun, selling a mix of their own clothes and those from other popular brands.
Founded in the UK, Asos has a more European and fashion-forward aesthetic than a lot of North American brands, making them a great place to turn if you’re looking for something different and unique.
Tilly’s
Tillys is an unapologetically youth-centric brand that focuses on clothes and accessories for young people (and those who are young at heart, of course).
Their aesthetic is rooted in the lifestyle of California skate and surf culture, and they carry various brands including Dr. Martens, Billabong, Vans and more.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is a decidedly more “grown up” brand than PacSun that offers everything from casual clothes and swimwear to suiting and business attire.
They’re a close competitor of J.Crew and another good place to turn if you’re ready to graduate from PacSun and want something a little more sophisticated and mature.
J.Crew
Easily one of the best retail options for stylish, well made and pretty high quality clothes, J.Crew has been a staple in malls across the United States for decades.
They offer many of the same super casual styles as PacSun, but have a much wider offering that goes all the way up to formalwear like tuxedos and gowns.
Aeropostale
Aeropostale is one of those stores like PacSun, American Eagle and Forever 21 that you can find in most malls across America.
It’s a close competitor of those stores thanks to their wide selection of casual wear and styles, all of which are aimed at a similar demographic of teens and young adults.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters has long been a go-to store for anyone in the market for modern, hip styles, and not just when it comes to clothes.
In addition to apparel and stylish accessories, they also have a lot of cool lifestyle pieces, including home decor, electronics, workout equipment and more.
Zaful
Like many of the other stores on this list, Zaful carries a wide range of styles that appeal to a young and hip demographic.
In addition to the latest trends, stylish pieces and a good selection of accessories, they also give a nod to nerd culture by carrying Marvel-branded clothes.
Free People
Free People is a stylish women’s clothing store that carries everything from dresses and skirts to intimates, activewear and a range of wellness and beauty products.
Though not the cheapest store on this list, their website offers free shipping if you spend more than 100 bucks, and you can score further deals when you sign up for their email list.
American Eagle Outfitters
Much like Aeropostale, Abercrombie and Hollister, American Eagle is a mall fixture that offers casual staple pieces at affordable prices.
Though not quite as fashion-forward as websites like PacSun and Asos, it’s a good place to pick up cheap tees and jeans that fit well and look good.
Vans
A staple of the skateboarding, punk music and indie scenes, Vans has expanded well beyond skater shoes and now offers a pretty decent selection of clothes and accessories for both young men and women.
But skating is still very much the brand’s bread and butter, so all of their clothes are imbued with the effortless cool of skate or surf culture.
Madewell
Madewell is a close PacSun competitor because both brands focus on the more casual end of the clothing spectrum, though Madewell’s stuff tends to be… well, better made.
Madewell is owned by J.Crew, so while they may specialize in denim and other casual clothes, they have their parent brand’s attention to detail and reputation for quality.
Zumiez
And speaking of brands with deep roots in skate culture, Zumiez carries a variety of clothes, footwear and accessories that embrace skating and its alternative ethos.
In addition to stalwart skating brands like Vans, Huf and Broken Promsies, they also carry cool gear from mainstream athletic brands like Nike, Champion and Adidas.
Billabong
Sticking with skate culture brands, Billabong has been bringing skate, surf and snowboarding culture to malls across North America for years now.
While they focus on activewear designed for those three action sports specifically, their clothes aren’t limited to outdoor activities.
They also carry a range of casual clothes (think tees, hoodies, etc.) that embody the same carefree spirit, but can be worn anywhere.
Superdry
A rare blend of Japanese, American and British sensibilities, Superdry has carved a reputation for itself as one of the coolest and top brands of the moment.
Though it’s not the most affordable brand like PacSun, it’s definitely one of the highest quality, which justifies the slightly higher price tag than many of the other stores on this list.
Jack Wills
UK-based Jack Wills carries a wide selection of affordably priced casual styles for both men and women, and also have a pretty robust kids line.
While they stick to casual categories, their offerings are a little smarter and more mature than stores like PacSun and Zumiez, making them another good option for anyone looking to upgrade their wardrobe.
Romwe
Also based in Europe, Romwe is another trendy brand whose style is a little more fashion-forward than many American sites like Pacsun.
Generally speaking, fashion trends tend to start in Europe then migrate to North America a year or two later, so Romwe can be a good place to score pieces that will put you ahead of the curve.
Chic Me
Another female-focused brand with a strong social media presence that caters to young women, Chic Me carries clothes across the whole spectrum of casual categories, including dresses, swimwear, lingerie and activewear.
In addition to a wide variety of categories, they also offer a lot of options when it comes to sizing, carrying a full line of curve and plus-size clothing.
Shein
Well known for their stylish and alternative trendy clothes, Shein is probably thought of more as a women’s store, though they do carry quite a bit of menswear as well.
Shein’s tastes are a little more eye-catching and fashion-forward than PacSun, so it’s a good option for anyone looking for reasonable prices on items that look like they should cost a lot more.
Zulily
Zulily is an online outlet where you can score some great deals, but it has a unique gimmick that makes it quite different from regular clothing sites like PacSun.
Everyday the inventory of the website resets, offering “members” (i.e. anyone who signs up for their email list) access to huge deals on a select few pieces of the company’s inventory.
It’s a slightly strange way for an online clothing store to operate, but it can be a great place to score access to special offers.
Hot Topic
Easily one of the most popular brands for nerd culture and all things alternative, Hot Topic offers a wide range of clothes and styles, along with accessories, toys, band merch and more.
Though probably best known for their graphic t-shirts (which cover everything from rock bands to comic characters), they actually carry a pretty wide variety of fashion apparel, and even have a home decor section.
Old Navy
Of all the stores you’ll find in most malls, Old Navy is one of the most reliable, and offers a lower price point than most.
While their clothes aren’t necessarily the most cutting edge, it’s a great place to pick up core staple pieces like tees, sweats and casual pants, especially during summer.
Hollister
Hollister is owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, and offers even more affordable versions of the same styles.
Like Old Navy and American Eagle, it’s not quite as hip or fashion-forward as stores like Shein, PacSun and Zumiez, but it’s another reliable option with brick and mortar stores all over the country.
H&M
Of all the affordable mall brands, H&M just might be the hippest and most stylish, making it a great alternative to PacSun’s online store.
While the quality can sometimes leave something to be desired, their styles are always super trendy and of-the-moment, so this is a good place to turn if you’re looking for something that will look great now, but may not last forever.
The Gap
Old Navy’s older brother, The Gap has been arguably the world’s most recognizable casual clothing brand for decades now.
Though they don’t carry high fashion items, both the style and quality of their stuff is better than you can expect from other stores, but still quite affordable.
Abercrombie & Fitch
As mentioned, Abercrombie & Fitch is the big brother brand of Hollister, and has long been a good place to turn for fashion that evokes a classic American look.
In recent years they’ve made a conscious effort to be a little more fashion-forward, so this is actually a great alternative to PacSun if you’re looking for trendy, stylish looks that won’t break the bank.
Dr Jays
Dr Jays offers a variety of fashion-forward urban wear from a really wide variety of brands, making it a great place to turn if you want to stay current on what different brands are fresh and in style.
They also carry a pretty wide selection of plus size and men’s big and tall clothes, so it’s a good option for anyone who often has trouble finding their size.
New Chic
New Chic is a discount online retailer that offers a wide variety of styles for both men and women, along with products in various categories like home and garden, kitchen and dining and even pet supplies.
Based in India, they don’t carry the same brand names as web sites like PacSun, but it can be a good place to do your online shopping if you’re looking for cheap styles.
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