Are you a fan of Zumiez‘s unique blend of skater style and trendy streetwear? This popular retailer is known for outfitting teens and young adults in fashionable, alternative apparel and accessories from top brands. But Zumiez isn‘t the only name in the game. If you‘re seeking to expand your fashion horizons, you‘re in luck–there are plenty of other stores like Zumiez that cater to a similar aesthetic and audience.
In this guide, I‘ll take you on a tour of the top Zumiez alternatives spanning several categories, from core skate shops to edgy fast fashion retailers. Whether you‘re looking to pick up the latest from big skateboarding brands, discover under-the-radar streetwear labels, or find great deals on casual apparel, you‘ll want to check out these Zumiez-esque shopping destinations. Let‘s dive in!
Core Skate Shops
For those whose love of Zumiez stems from its skateboarding roots, these core skate shops should be at the top of your list. Specializing in skateboarding hardgoods like decks, trucks, and wheels alongside skate-oriented footwear and apparel, the following retailers live and breathe skate culture.
1. CCS
Established in 1985, CCS is one of the oldest and most respected names in the skateboarding industry. In addition to a wide selection of skateboard hardware and parts, CCS stocks a great range of apparel, shoes, and accessories from leading skate and streetwear brands like Adidas, HUF, Santa Cruz, and Independent. Be sure to scope out their sale section for discounts of up to 70% off.
2. Skate Warehouse
True to its name, Skate Warehouse boasts a massive selection of gear for skateboarders of all levels. Decks, trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware, shoes, clothing–you name it, they‘ve got it. The store carries hundreds of top brands including Nike SB, Vans, Spitfire, and Thunder. Skate Warehouse also offers free shipping on U.S. orders over $50, plus a 365-day return policy.
3. Tactics
While you‘ll find all the skate essentials at Tactics, this retailer stands out for its diverse selection of other action sports gear, including snowboards, wakeboards, and surf accessories. On the skateboarding side, Tactics carries hardgoods from core brands like Real, Anti-Hero, and Krooked alongside softgoods from the likes of Obey, Brixton, and Dravus. The store‘s price match guarantee and free U.S. shipping over $60 are added bonuses.
Streetwear & Action Sports Retailers
If you‘re drawn to Zumiez for its streetwear and action sports apparel offerings, be sure to browse the following retailers. While less skate-centric than the previous category, these stores still specialize in alternative fashion with a focus on surf, skate, and street-inspired style.
4. PacSun
A staple of malls across the U.S., PacSun is a go-to destination for trendy, casual apparel from popular brands like Adidas, Vans, Champion, and Kendall & Kylie. The store‘s aesthetic leans heavily on California surf and skate culture, with a laid-back yet stylish vibe. PacSun frequently runs sales of up to 50% off, and its PacSun Rewards program allows you to earn points on every purchase.
5. Tillys
Tillys is another national retail chain known for its surf/skate/motocross-inspired clothing and accessories. In addition to familiar brands like RVCA, Volcom, and Hurley, Tillys also carries its own exclusive lines of apparel and shoes. The store‘s website features a dedicated Sale section with discounts as high as 70% off original prices. Sign up for Tillys‘ email list for a 10% off coupon and updates on the latest deals.
6. Jack‘s Surfboards
Though its name suggests a surf focus, Jack‘s is an all-around board sports retailer with a nice selection of skateboarding gear and apparel. Originally founded in 1957, the store has grown to include 10 physical locations throughout Southern California as well as a thriving e-commerce site. Alongside major national brands, Jack‘s sells goods from smaller surf/skate labels like Roark, Banks Journal, and Vast. The store runs frequent sitewide sales with discounts of 20-30% off.
Fast Fashion & Trend-Driven Stores
The following fast fashion retailers may not have the same core skate shop pedigree as Zumiez, but they‘re great options if you‘re looking for affordable, on-trend streetwear and accessories. With frequent new arrivals and styles that turn over quickly, these stores will help keep your wardrobe fresh.
7. Forever 21
One of the biggest names in fast fashion, Forever 21 offers a staggering array of clothing and accessories for women and men. Though the store‘s primary focus is on mainstream trends, you‘ll find plenty of skate and street-inspired pieces such as graphic tees, hoodies, distressed denim, and sneakers. Forever 21‘s prices are hard to beat, with tees starting at $5 and jeans at $10. Sign up for the store‘s email list to get 20% off your next purchase.
8. Urban Outfitters
For a curated, slightly higher-end take on alternative fashion, head to Urban Outfitters. The store‘s designer-leaning aesthetic encompasses everything from boho dresses to throwback sneakers to novelty home decor. UO also collaborates frequently with artists and brands on limited edition collections–past partners include Fila, Vans, and Laura Ashley. Though pricier than some other fast fashion retailers, Urban Outfitters runs sales often, with discounts up to 70% off.
9. ASOS
British e-commerce giant ASOS offers a massive selection of edgy, youth-oriented fashion at reasonable prices. The site stocks hundreds of brands across a range of styles, including skate staples like Carhartt WIP, Dickies, and Vans. You‘ll also find a great selection of ASOS‘ in-house labels, which tend to be even more budget-friendly. ASOS offers free shipping on orders over $49.99 and a student discount of 10% off full-price items.
Department Stores
These department store chains might not be the first places you‘d think to look for Zumiez-esque apparel. However, they often stock skateboarding brands and fashion-forward streetwear labels–and frequent sales make them great spots to score deals.
10. Nordstrom
You might associate Nordstrom more with high-end designers than skater style, but this upscale department store chain actually has a solid selection of streetwear and action sports brands. Browse Nordstrom‘s site and you‘ll find apparel and accessories from the likes of Obey, Brixton, Herschel Supply Co., and Nike SB. The store‘s Half-Yearly and Anniversary sales are prime opportunities to pick up normally pricey pieces at deep discounts.
11. Macy‘s
Another department store retailer worth checking out for Zumiez-like fashion is Macy‘s. Though best known for mainstream brands, Macy‘s also stocks trendy apparel from Levi‘s, Adidas, Vans, and more. The store‘s sale section routinely offers discounts of 40-60% off, and you can often find special promotions around major holidays. Macy‘s Star Rewards loyalty program allows you to earn points on every purchase that you can put towards future discounts.
12. Boscov‘s
With locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, Boscov‘s is a regional department store chain that carries a nice mix of well-known and up-and-coming brands. The retailer‘s Junior‘s section includes skateboarding and surfing labels like Billabong, Quicksilver, and Roxy, while the Men‘s department features Levi‘s, Nautica, American Stitch, and more. Boscov‘s sale events take place frequently throughout the year, with markdowns of up to 80% off.
Tips for Shopping Zumiez Alternatives
Ready to start exploring these Zumiez alternatives? Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you shop:
- Sign up for stores‘ email lists. You‘ll often receive a first-order discount, and you‘ll stay in the loop about future sales and promotions.
- Check sale/clearance sections. Even if you don‘t see a storewide sale happening, you can usually find great deals on individual items in these sections.
- Read customer reviews. Especially when shopping online, reviews from previous buyers can give you helpful insight into fit, quality, and overall value for money.
- Know the return policy. Familiarize yourself with a store‘s return policy before you buy, particularly for final sale items or special collections that may be non-returnable.
With so many great stores like Zumiez to choose from, you‘re sure to find fresh styles that fit your aesthetic and budget. From core skate shops to trendy fast fashion retailers, these Zumiez alternatives offer a little something for every fashion-savvy skater or streetwear aficionado. Happy shopping!
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References:
- "The top 10 US mall retailers." Retail Dive, 14 Feb 2020, https://www.retaildive.com/news/the-top-10-us-mall-retailers/571717/
- "The history of PacSun: From mall staple to pandemic casualty to bankruptcy emergence." Glossy, 20 May 2021, https://www.glossy.co/fashion/the-history-of-pacsun-from-mall-staple-to-pandemic-casualty-to-bankruptcy-emergence/
- "There‘s a lot to learn from Forever 21 about the new ‘fast fashion‘ model." Forbes, 19 Nov 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregpetro/2019/11/19/theres-a-lot-to-learn-from-forever-21-about-the-new-fast-fashion-model/?sh=1ac4d7c95f76
- "35 Years of Skate and Street with CCS Founder Daron Rosen." Parade, 23 Oct 2020, https://parade.com/1097718/jenniferandrews/ccs-founder-interview/
