With so many streetwear boutiques popping up all over Los Angeles it’s hard to be cool anymore. I mean it’s no secret where you got that hoodie from anymore. You can get that tee shirt anywhere and they sell your dunks at Urban Outfitters. However, I still love clothes and the stores that sell them. So this will be the first in my series of reviews of streetwear stores in the Los Angeles area. Exciting, huh?

Barracuda… Melrose’s finest vendor of upper-end streetwear. Great tee-shirt selection you don’t see everywhere else, interesting kicks and an eclectic mix of brands make this store a must-see stop when out shopping. (I’m always forgetting to take pictures of the outside of the store)

You walk in to the girls’ section on the bottom floor where brands like Insight, Stussy, Gentle Fawn, and many more grace the racks. They’ve got a nice collection of denim and tees for girls and probably the best selection of tops, sweaters and jackets I’ve ever seen. Every time, I go in there there’s something awesome I want to buy for my wife. Barracuda does a really good job buying clothes that are unique and hip without being too weird and unwearable. They’ve got uber-hip, over-sized, 80s style girls sweatshirts, fitted jackets and more.

Head upstairs to the men’s section and there’s more clothing hotness for yo ass. Barracuda always has a big selection of Stussy tees and caps… always. They’ve also got tees from RVCA, Insight, 2K, and a bunch of other brands I can’t remember. Whether you’re looking for some soft, slim-cut tees, or some standard, stiff streetwear type stuff, Barracuda gotcha covered.

Barracuda also has a kick-ass shoe selection of not only Nikes and Adidas in rare colorways, but higher end Varvatos Converse, and other shoes like that.

Like the women’s section downstairs, the men’s selection of jackets and hoodies is dope. They’ve always got nice numbers from Stussy, FreshJive and others. They recently were carrying a dope black on black camo-ish jacket from Quiksilver, not a brand you see in most boutiques like this.

While I was there they were having some crazy dope sale. Like 50% off AND buy 2 get 1 free on shoes and tees or something like that. I’m not sure if that sale is still going on, but you should definitely check it out.

Lastly, Barracuda has a whole special section dedicated to LA-based line Kazuo. Kazuo is a cut ‘n sew line with simple graphic tees and clean, bohemian-modern shirts, jackets and more. I didn’t like this line too much when I first saw it, I thought it was kind of boring, but after a while it’s definitely grown on me. The pieces are classic with a just a touch of strange.

So that’s Barracuda in a nutshell. Definitely stop by if you never have. While it’s not strictly a streetwear store, I’d say it’s the most unique store of it’s kind in LA and there are always great finds there. The best store on Melrose for sure and arguably the best boutique in LA.

Barracuda

7600B Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 852-7179

www.wearchildren.com

Tags: streetwear los angeles fashion barracuda boutique kazuo stussy