Pacsun started in 1980 as a small surf shop in Newport Beach, founded by Jack Hopkins and Tom Moore, the Orange County Business Journal reported. Pacific Sunwear of California shortened the name on its store signs to Pacsun in 1999 and moved its headquarters to Anaheim in 2001. Golden Gate Capital acquired the company after its 2016 bankruptcy, and Brieane Olson is CEO.
The products
Pacsun is mainly a multi-brand retailer. Its own denim fits include the women’s Casey low-rise baggy and Alana flare and the men’s Ryder ultra-baggy and Dylan baggy. It also runs PS Vintage, a resale platform.
Growth
In December 2025, Pacsun announced plans for 20 to 35 new U.S. stores over three years, its first net store growth in about 20 years. Its first international store opened in May 2026 at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai with partner Majid Al Futtaim.
Local ties
In February 2026, Pacsun released its sixth capsule with LAFC for the club’s season opener, sold in 20 Southern California stores and at the match at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Where to find it
Pacsun sells through about 306 U.S. stores, pacsun.com and its Dubai store.
Sources
- Orange County Business Journal: Pacific Sunwear of California
- Orange County Business Journal: Pacsun’s first international store
- FashionUnited: Pacsun CEO Brieane Olson
- License Global: Pacsun and LAFC 2026 capsule
Featured photo: Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. The photo shows a Pacsun outlet store in Clinton, Connecticut, in 2014.
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