The SoCal-inspired clothing company, owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co., launched in July 2000 in Columbus, Ohio, but quickly gained popularity and spread throughout the country. Although not a surf brand like Roxy or Quiksilver, Hollister is keen on sharing the relaxed and laid-back lifestyle and fashion encompassed by those who populate Southern California. Recently, the company also relaunched Gilly Hicks, a well-reputed lingerie and loungewear brand (also owned by the parent company, A&F). Now, after reshaping their image and growing with their target audience, Hollister boasts a set of new and unique styles that are constantly changing and following the latest trends.
The company boasts a number of shirts that still sport the Hollister name on them, but don’t flash just the letters. In addition, graphic tops such as the ones below hold the name but also sport sayings such as “Southern California Original” or “LA/SF” (San Francisco being another California city whose popularity skyrocketed over the last decade).
Other tops include camis such as the ones pictured below, which can be casually styled with a cardigan or hoodie, worn separately with jeans, or even under clothes if you’re looking to layer up (my personal favorite way to style camis with detail is throwing a cardigan over it!).
Showing a little shoulder has also become popular this past year, with cutouts and cold shoulder designs making their way to the top of the trend charts. Hollister stayed ahead of the game, making sure their fabric was kind to skin and comfortable to wear for all body types. Out of the two, my favorite was the slouchy ribbed pullover sweater, seen in royal purple below, because it can be styled as either a wide neck top, or can be tugged to the side to create the “slouched” look its name boasts.
As mentioned before, Gilly Hicks has found its way to Hollister stores again, making them a popular choice for teens and young adults when it comes to choosing loungewear, pajamas, and lingerie. Sleepshirts, bralettes, and underwear became staples (carried online and in store) and with their soft fabric and long-lasting comfort, the brand is again making its name heard again in its market.
Hollister’s jeans were always popular, but with the launch of their boyfriend jeans and high-rise leggings collection, the company’s denim outlet also burst into the spotlight. Tears, rips, and holes, paired with soft material, comfortable design, and timeless style make for a bold statement, but also allow the wearer to experiment with their style and play with fashion, while keeping things casual and laid back. The easiest (and most popular) way to style a lot of their jeans is with boots or sneakers and casual tops (yet another nod to Hollister’s encouragement of a laid back lifestyle and look).
Ultimately, the brand has done a phenomenal job establishing its name as one of the world’s top retailers, keeping its finger on the pulse when it comes to what its audience is looking to wear and how the fashion markets change. With no doubt, Hollister is bound to keep growing and succeeding in its ventures as it does.