Finding clothing to show off your personality shouldn’t be hard, but for members of a subculture community, the search for the perfect representation of individuality and lifestyle can prove to be a little difficult.
Los Angeles is chock full of stores that carry clothing for the punk, goth kid, or steampunk lover that lives in you. Check out Culture Trip’s list of the best alternative clothing stores in la-la land.
Beat Bop Boom
Beat Bop Boom carries everything from music to memorabilia to apparel. They boast a wide selection of alternative clothes from Goth to New Wave to Punk. They’re currently predominantly online. But contact them to find out what outdoor markets or events they’ll be at next.
4912 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 323 577 7852
Forgotten Saints Courtesy of Lo Brewer
Forgotten Saints
Church, Store
Forgotten Saints
The Church of Forgotten Saints is the brainchild of designer Cody Varona who opened her first store in LA in the 90s. She has designed for everyone from Rob Zombie to The Black Eyed Peas. As a bonus, Forgotten Saints also sells dark themed paintings from various artists. Her store features one of a kind punk/goth/rock pieces that are sure to please anyone into alternative clothing.
7569 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA, USA +1 323 655 0589
Forgotten Saints Courtesy of Lo Brewer | Courtesy of Lo Brewer
Fatal Impact
Fatal Impact specializes in subculture fashion (everything from Punk to Pin-Up), which comes in a wide variety of sizes. They carry accessories and body jewelry, and their Sherman Oaks boutique also doubles as a tattoo parlor that now offers body and ear piercing in addition to tattoo services.
14524 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA, USA +1 818 981 4211
Hot Rock Courtesy of Lo Brewer
Hot Rock
Hot Rock carries a large variety of punk/goth/industrial clothing. As an added bonus, they’re one of the most affordable alternative wear shops in town.
6717 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA, USA +1 323 462 3348
Hot Rock Courtesy of Lo Brewer
Lip Service
For over 30 years Lip Service has been servicing the subculture community’s needs. They carry goth, steampunk, punk, and even a few ‘regular’ duds.
130 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 323 260 7308
Manic Panic Courtesy of Manic Panic
Manic Panic Style Asylum
Manic Panic, which originally started as an alternative hair and makeup company, has moved into apparel and accessories. The brainchild of sisters Tish and Snooky, NYC punk icons, Manic Panic has two boutiques that carry everything from sequined hot pants to spiked chokers.
7378 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 323 951 1513
Manic Panic Courtesy of Manic Panic
Shrine of Hollywood
Shrine has transitioned its Los Angeles location from a boutique to a wholesale showroom. So walk-ins are unlikely. However, they’ve moved a host of their inventory, which is designed and manufactured in Hollywood, online. The rock, goth, and punk brand says that they design clothing for ‘Rock Stars, Glamour Icons and Fashionistas of the 21st Century.’ Anyone who’s taken a look at their pieces is sure to agree.
Posers
Posers, formerly called Mondial, has been in business for over 25 years. They cater to subculture fashion and boast a collection of over 700 styles of Dr. Martens.
7415-7419 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, USA +1 323 653 4393
Posers Courtesy of Posers
