Today I want to talk about some of my favorite brands that have a similar vibe and aesthetic to PacSun.
As a SoCal gal, I’m all about that laidback, beachy, California-cool style.
PacSun is great, but a girl needs options! Keep reading for the scoop on 17 brands to check out if you love PacSun as much as I do.
Now, I gotta be honest – I may or may not have shown up to a date night with my hubby wearing head-to-toe PacSun.
And by “may or may not,” I definitely did.
What can I say, I just love their comfy joggers and graphic tees! But when my outfit twin moment happened, my hubby jokingly said “babe, it looks like you bought your whole outfit at PacSun today.”
Whoops!
So while I’ll always have a special place in my heart (and closet) for PacSun, branching out can be fun.
These top brands below capture that same chill, relaxed vibe PacSun is known for:
Tilly’s
Tilly’s is one of the OG PacSun alternatives out there.
Like PacSun, they offer causal staples like jeans, joggers, hoodies, and graphic tees with a focus on West Coast style.
I love browsing their jeans wall to find the perfect pair of distressed denim. Tilly’s has a great selection of bootcut, skinny, and girlfriend fits from brands like Levi’s, Bullhead, and their RSQ label.
For graphic tees and hoodies, some of my favorites are their Vans, Obey, and Vision Street Wear collabs.
I recently snagged a super soft Vans hoodie for only $25! When it comes to footwear, you can’t go wrong with classic Vans slip-ons or check out their sandals from Reef, Teva, and more for laidback California vibes.
And Tilly’s swimwear and coverups are perfect for soaking up the sun. I’m obsessed with Rhythm bathing suits – they have cute prints, flattering fits, and are super affordable.
Tilly’s also carries accessories like backpacks, hats, jewelry, and more so you can finish off your chill Cali look.
With frequent sales and their customer loyalty program, you can definitely save some cash while getting that West Coast style fix here.
Zumiez
Skater-inspired Zumiez has a selection of graphic tees, jeans, shoes and accessories with an edgy vibe.
Zumiez stocks awesome brands you can’t find everywhere like Thrasher, Obey, Primitive, and Anti Hero.
I especially love their tee shirt wall – tons of soft, comfy styles from band tees to anime prints. Some of my recent faves are their Slipknot, Black Sabbath, and Rolling Stones graphic tees that I’ve styled with destroyed denim and Vans.
Zumiez’s Stussy collab is one of my go-tos for that streetwear look. And they have an awesome selection of beanies and dad hats to top off your outfit.
When it comes to denim, Zumiez carries a wide variety from Levis, American Eagle, and their house brand Fault Outfitters in cool washes and cuts like mom jeans and baggy boyfriend jeans perfect for that laidback style.
Their shoe wall is top notch too – of course classic Vans and Converse along with brands like Etnies, DC, and Emerica.
I always pop over to their clearance racks where you can find graphic tees under $10 and styles from last season 50-60% off. Zumiez is a great option if you want to maintain the casual PacSun look while mixing in some punk rock and streetwear style.
TJ Maxx
You can find some great steals on casual wear and accessories at TJ Maxx. Their selection is always changing, but it’s worth browsing for PacSun dupes at a fraction of the price.
I’ve scored graphic tees for as little as $6 and jeans for less than $15! Brands I often spot are Free People, Lucky, Levis, Calvin Klein, and Lucky.
Look for relaxed tees, off-the-shoulder tops, or lace bralettes that channel that breezy California vibe. TJ Maxx also gets lots of super cute denim from their in-house Label Mix brand, often in fun colors and distressing for that lived-in look.
And you can grab armfuls of boho accessories – think floppy hats, oversized tote bags, and stacks of bracelets. I love hitting the clearance racks where graphic tees can get marked down to $3-5 and tanks are usually under $10.
One tip is to avoid the shoes – the styles tend to be hit or miss. But otherwise, the juniors section is a goldmine for PacSun inspired casual wear at unbelievable discounts. They get new stock in almost daily, so don’t be afraid to stop by on the regular.
H&M
Another spot to grab causal clothes without spending a fortune is H&M. They carry a tons of trendy basics with a youthful vibe.
H&M is my go-to for graphic tees – their designs are super fun and tee shirts only cost $12-15. I’ve found cool rock band, foodie, and comic prints that I’ll style with destroyed denim shorts or a tennis skirt.
H&M also has a great selection of denim – cropped jeans, baggy boyfriend jeans, overalls, etc. I love their high-waisted slim and ribcage styles; the fits are really flattering.
An awesome spot to browse is their sale section – I frequently find graphic tees for $5, hoodies for $15, and Buy One Get One Free deals on jeans.
When it comes to accessories, H&M kills it with stacks of dainty necklaces, hair scarves, scrunchies, and more to nail that boho vibe.
The quality can sometimes be hit or miss, but for fast fashion leather jackets, denim cutoffs, and slouchy tees H&M has the trendy, laidback style locked down.
Forever 21
Forever 21 is great for stylish fast fashion at affordable prices. Like PacSun, they offer an endless array of casual clothes and accessories that capture West Coast style.
I browse their graphic tee section on pretty much every visit – they churn out fun music, food, and pop culture inspired designs starting at just $5.50.
I style them with cut off denim shorts and sandals for an easy summer look. Forever 21 also kills it with their basics.
Their ribbed crop cami bodysuits, underwear, and lounge sets are super soft and comfy for hanging out or sleeping. And you can grab yoga pants, leggings, and bike shorts for working out or just being lazy on the couch.
Some of my favorite pieces are their satin baseball caps, hair scrunchies, festival-inspired jewelry and 90s-style sunglasses that polish off that laidback, sporty aesthetic.
The quality isn’t the best – graphic tees tend to shrink after a few washes and some items look cute but don’t hold up over time.
But for an of-the-moment casual ‘fit, Forever 21 has all the stylish fast fashion essentials to recreate the PacSun look on a budget.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters has an awesome selection of casual boho-chic clothes with some vintage flair. Urban Outfitters stocks their own brand plus cool under-the-radar labels you won’t see everywhere.
Their graphic tee selection kills it with fun music, movies, and art inspired prints from just $20. Recently I’ve been loving their Dirty Dancing and Beatles tees.
BDG and Out From Under have super soft cropped camis, baby tees, and tank tops starting at $18 that look cute solo or layered.
When it comes to denim, Urban Outfitters offers tons of styles like baggy boyfriend jeans, mid-rise relaxed cuts, and 90s inspired high-waisted mom jeans from brands like Levi’s and their own BDGB brand.
And you can grab comfy basics like bike shorts starting at $20 and hoodies for around $40-$50. Their dresses and jumpsuits are amazing too – perfect throw-on-and-go options.
UO leans more boho while PacSun is sportier, but the casual vibes and effortlessly cool styles definitely overlap.
Urban Outfitters is a little pricier, but they often have great sales like BOGO 50% off on their entire store. Definitely worth browsing if you’re looking to expand your laidback PacSun style.
ASOS
Online retailer ASOS is my go-to for affordable, on-trend clothes. They have a huge selection of casual wear like hoodies, joggers, denim jackets, and graphic tees.
Tons of cute dresses and jumpsuits too for that effortless style. ASOS Design has great graphic tees, sweatshirts, bike shorts, and more starting around $10.
Their selection of denim is top notch – the Joni high waist skinny and Farleigh slim mom jeans are perfect PacSun vibes.
For jackets and coats, I love their oversized denim jackets and faux leather moto styles under $50. And you can grab boho extras like floppy sun hats, handle bags, and beaded jewelry galore. With free shipping and returns in the US, curating your PacSun inspired look is a breeze.
ASOS drops new arrivals daily, and sizes range from 00-14. They also offer an app where you can shop by photo! Overall an amazing spot to shop for casual streetwear essentials on a budget.
Nordstrom Rack
Discover amazing deals on brand name threads at Nordstrom Rack. Their clearance section is stocked with casual clothes, shoes and accessories.
Some of the brands I’ve found PacSun vibes from include Free People, Levis, Converse, Steve Madden, Calvin Klein, Lucky, and their house Nordstrom Made label.
For a graphic tee & jeans vibe, check their juniors graphic tees under $15 and their massive denim section where I’ve scored jeans for as low as $20. Sweatshirts and hoodies can be found for around $20-30 from brands like BP.,
Puma, and Topshop. Nordstrom Rack gets awesome sneakers too – old school Vans, Nike Air Force 1s, trendy Adidas, etc. Their selection is always changing, so it pays to stop by frequently to discover new arrivals.
Be sure to browse the clearance racks where you can find tees for $5, denim for $10-15, and name brand sweatshirts under $20. Definitely a go-to spot to grab quality essentials on the cheap to nail that relaxed PacSun aesthetic.
Zara
What I love about Zara is their selection of trendy streetwear with a touch of European styling. They carry jeans, joggers, bomber jackets and slouchy graphic tees that compliment the laidback PacSun aesthetic.
Zara’s graphic tees offer cool music, food, and pop culture designs just like PacSun along with some with fun Spanish phrases and graphics. Their denim is on point too – lots of baggy, loose fitting styles with frayed hems and distressed details.
Zara nails 90s-inspired casual with tons of track suits, bike shorts, cropped hoodies, and dad sneakers that capture that sporty street vibe. And their dresses, jumpsuits, and tops take basics up a notch with trendy details like puff sleeves, cut outs, and ruched seaming.
Accessories like hair clips, barrettes, and socks add stylistic flair. Zara refreshes their inventory super fast too – new styles, prints, and colors arrive multiple times a week. Their frequent sales help keep the price point budget-friendly.
Zara’s original takes on laidback California casual make it a fun and affordable option for PacSun lovers.
Old Navy
Old Navy is my go-to for basic tees, jeans, hoodies and more at unbeatable prices. Shop their casual collections in-store or online to recreate the PacSun look on a budget.
I browse Old Navy’s graphic tee section regularly since they roll out new music, food, and pop culture designs every season starting at just $8. Their Artist Tee Collection pays homage to legends like The Beastie Boys, Nirvana, and Biggie Smalls.
Old Navy also offers tons of cozy hoodies and sweatshirts under $30 in cool tie-dye prints, colorblocked designs, and more. And their denim wall is stacked with every wash and fit – skinny, baggy, distressed, colored denim, etc.
The Rockstar and Powersoft jeans have stretch for comfort and move-with-you flexibility. For beauty lovers, Old Navy’s beauty collabs with brands like ULTA and Kiss Nails add fun hair accessories and nail stickers to polish off your look.
Grab graphic tees for $10, jeans for $20, and hoodies for $25 – or even better prices if you hit up the sale section!
Hollister
Like PacSun, Hollister has mastered laidback California style. Their comfy jeans, joggers, tees and hoodies come in trendy washes, prints and graphics.
The aesthetic has come a long way since the overly logo’d days of the past. Now you can easily pull off street casual with Hollister’s graphic tees, bike shorts, ripped skinny jeans, and slouchy woven button-downs.
Their jeans wall is stacked with cool distressed washes, slits, and raw hems on their Ultra High-Rise and Curvy styles. For graphic tees, I love their California inspired prints, tie-dyes, and retro logos.
Hollister’s jacket selection is awesome for layering too – denim, puffer, and sherpa-lined styles to round out your look.
Don’t sleep on their dresses and rompers either. Lots of comfy terry cloth, smocked and babydoll silhouettes perfect for the beach or boardwalk. I especially love their breezy tanks and beachy dresses that capture that effortless West Coast vibe.
And the prices are super affordable, especially with their constant promos like jeans for $25 and graphic tees 5 for $25.
Garage
Canadian brand Garage has the casual clothes, shoes and accessories to nail the PacSun look. Their in-house brands like Heartbreaker, Only NY and Blue Isle offer graphic tees, bodysuits, destroyed denim cutoffs, and slouchy woven shirts.
I especially love their Only NY boyfriend tees, which are super soft and perfect styled with rolled jeans or bike shorts. Garage’s denim wall includes cool rigid, baggy and cargo pocket styles along with classic blue and black washes.
And you can grab edgy extras like fishnets, chokers, hair clips and temporary tattoos. Their dress selection is awesome too – tons of comfy ribbed and bandage bodycon styles. Garage’s prices are super reasonable too – graphic tees average $15, denim around $40, and dresses $25.
They run specials like Buy One Get One 50% off, Buy 2 Get 1 Free, etc. Making it easy to stock up on laidback staples for less. Definitely a prime spot for getting that carefree California vibe on a budget.
Billabong
For beach-ready threads with a surf and skate vibe, check out Billabong. They carry shirts, swimwear, hoodies, and more for guys and girls designed for saltwater and sidewalks. For graphic tees, Billabong’s vintage logo and Cali-inspired prints add laidback style.
And they offer tons of swimwear like bikinis, board shorts, rash guards, and coverups to take on the waves. I especially love their Girls Can Do Anything embroidered collection. When it comes to dresses and rompers, Billabong has you covered with breezy crochet and maxi silhouettes.
Their comfy co-ord sets with matching tops and bottoms make it easy to nail that coordinated beachy look.
Billabong’s hoodies, pullovers, and jackets let you bring the coastal vibes from beach to street. I especially love their sherpa sets and fleece crewnecks for cool nights by the bonfire.
Billabong’s prices are steeper than PacSun’s, but the quality is built to last through countless waves. Check Billabong for sturdy activewear to live your best beach life all year round.
Rip Curl
Rip Curl is another awesome brand for boardshorts, swimwear, tees, tanks, and hoodies with a chill surfer vibe.
Their bright neoprene rash guards protect you from the sun in style, and their bikini selection offers everything from sporty to sexy fits. Rip Curl’s basic tees and tanks come in cool salt washed colors and soft triblend fabrics.
The guys hoodies and pullovers let you rep your surf style from beach to street. And their printed button-downs and lightweight woven shirts work for grabbing post-surf tacos and hitting up beach bonfires. Rip Curl also makes awesome wet suits, board bags, leashes, and more surf essentials.
Their clothes perfectly capture the essence of the PacSun lifestyle, whether you actually catch waves or just chill seaside. I especially love their colorful, comfy dresses for that effortless beach goddess look from the sand to the shops.
Volcom
Skate and surf brand Volcom is a staple at many PacSun locations, and for good reason. Their tee shirts, tanks, hoodies, and more are designed for an adventurous lifestyle.
I especially love their selection of soft, faded basic and graphic tees with a worn-in, vintage look. Volcom denim like their Vaunted and Vortx styles also capture the relaxed aesthetic with baggy fits, cuffed hems and shredded details.
And they make super comfy joggers and sweatshorts for all day lounging. Volcom’s dresses and rompers can take you from backyard bbqs to beach bonfires with casual silhouettes like maxi and skater styles.
And their swimsuits and coverups like flutter sleeve one-pieces and printed swim tees bring the chill vibes poolside or seaside. Volcom’s selection of flannels, pullovers, and jacket let you layer up while maintaining that casual style too.
Volcom doesn’t come cheap, but the quality is exceptional and longer-lasting than fast fashion. Their laidback vibe and cool Cali aesthetic aligns perfectly with PacSun’s sensibilities.
RVCA
Edgy skater brand RVCA has a cool selection of graphic tanks, tees, button downs, and accessories. RVCA is known for its signature art-inspired logos, cool collab prints, and creative graphics.
Their laidback tanks are awesome solo in the summer or layered under an open flannel when it’s cooler. And they offer tons of soft, worn-in tees with iconic West Coast-inspired logos and images.
RVCA’s selection of woven and fleece pullovers and jackets are perfect for throwing on with a tee and denim for an easy casual outfit. I especially love their Shirley Chung collab, which featured beautiful Asian inspired scenes.
And accessories like RVCA’s beanies, baseball caps, and bucket hats complete the chill Cali vibe. Their clothes fit right in with the casual streetwear style PacSun is known for. I especially love RVCA’s unique graphic prints and color combos.
O’Neill
Legendary surf brand O’Neill makes quality threads inspired by the waves. Their shirts, shorts, swimsuits, and hoodies channel the perfect laidback, beach lifestyle. O’Neill’s graphic tees feature cool retro logos, surf slogans, and saltwater-faded colors to rep your coastal cred.
And they make tons of super cute bikinis, one-pieces, and swim trunks covered in floral prints, tribal patterns, and stripes. Their beach cover-ups like kimono cardigans and airy button-downs ooze effortless style too.
When it comes to shorts, O’Neill has everything from board shorts to casual cargos and joggers. Style them with tanks, tees, or rash guards for a relaxed SoCal vibe.
And their selection of pullovers, jackets and fleece let you chill in comfort from the sand to street. O’Neill’s surf-ready shirts and bikinis compliment PacSun’s effortless SoCal look in a big way.
Hurley
Another iconic surf and skate brand, Hurley has super fun casual clothes for dudes and girls. Their colorful tees, swimsuits, jogger shorts, and pullovers have an energetic youthful vibe similar to PacSun.
I’m obsessed with Hurley’s rainbow sherpa pullovers and light wash denim jackets – perfect for throwing over a tee and cutoffs. Their huge selection of graphic tees repping surf towns, positive mantras and cool logos are so stylish.
Hurley’s dresses, tanks, and swimwear capture the essence of chill beach vibes. Their floral ruched one-pieces and colorblock bikinis make the ultimate beach-to-bonfire outfit. And their flippy skirts, soft tees, and light pullovers are perfect for seaside days.
For guys, Hurley has chill button-downs, swim trunks, and joggers to master that coastal casual look.
From head to toe, Hurley pretty much guarantees you’ll look like a cool California kid. I especially love their swimwear – so perfect for the beach!
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters (AE) is the go-to destination for building your everyday wardrobe.
They offer jeans that fit like a dream, cozy hoodies, and an array of graphic tees suitable for any occasion, whether it’s a casual day at home or a night out on the town.
Why it’s a good alternative: AE’s denim game is top-notch, and they cater to a wide range of sizes and styles.
Let’s talk about their denim collection because it’s truly outstanding. AE provides a variety of styles, from skinny to bootcut, high-rise to low-rise, ensuring you find jeans that fit like a glove and boost your confidence throughout the day.
But AE isn’t solely about jeans; they’ve mastered the art of comfy loungewear as well. Their joggers, in particular, are a personal favorite of mine. Ideal for both cozy nights in and quick errands, these joggers often come in matching sets for effortless coordination.
AE’s mastery extends to basics too. They offer plain tees and tanks in various colors, simplifying the process of creating versatile outfits. Whether you want a classic white tee to layer under a denim jacket or a vibrant tank for summer escapades, AE has got you covered.
AE sets itself apart through inclusivity, celebrating diversity and embracing individual styles. They offer a wide range of sizes, including extended sizes, ensuring that everyone can find pieces that flatter their body type and personal style.
This commitment to inclusivity is something I truly admire.
