What’s The Deal With Hollister
Every so often I receive scathing comments about my anti-Hollister post. I wrote about never being able to find the clothes shown on the mannequins in the store, and for reasons unknown, some of those who have commented don’t understand why I don’t love Hollister or my frustration due to there lack of stocked items.
Some of those adding their two cents were quite informative, having worked at Hollister, they told me things on the mannequins usually sell out the fastest and the clothes on the mannequins are practically ruined because they are stretched, pinned and sometimes cut to create a certain “look”. Since I have never worked retail and am known to march to my own drum when buying clothes. I wouldn’t really know how drastically mannequins affect the sales of products though I do realize if they didn’t, mannequins would be obsolete.
Then there are the people who leave little comments, calling me stupid, telling me not to enter a store I don’t particularly like, and even one impersonating me and renouncing my disdain for Hollister because apparently “I am not as poor as I was.” Though, I accept that people don’t have the same opinion, I have t say insults are the worst way to sway anyway your way. I know there are some great Hollister shoppers out there so I’d like some real details. Sure some people shop there just to say they buy Hollister clothes, but what are some attractive and/or unique qualities of Hollister products, and what am I missing by not shopping there? Why should I pay $25 for a t-shirt with the Hollister logo on it and isn’t that like paying to become a walking advertisement for the company? What type of products does Hollister provide that I can’t purchase at another store for either less money or better quality but priced similarly? What exactly is the company’s aversion to the color black? According to Hollister employees I have spoken with, they don’t sell anything black, not even black flip-flops.
I truly want honest opinions. I understand how people can be defensive about their favorite store/designer, but I’m always open to shop at different places. I’m also not as frugal as I may seem— If I really want something, I could careless about price, and I’ve been known to make an impulse buy or two. Honestly, I used t have a severe aversion to shopping at any store in the mall. Now, I at least shop at Forever 21 or H&M for cheap, trendy clothes I’ll probably only wear for a season— a fact I’ve settled my wallet with.
What other stores do you shop at when visiting your local mall?
p.s. Though this is a personal blog— my opinion verbalized— I fully appreciate everything anyone who stumbles across my posts may think. However, if your intent is to insult me, you might want to do it using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Not only does it help the comprehension experience, but also I’m more likely to take you seriously.
Wow…it never ceases to amaze me the ridiculous things people say on the internet. I went back and read some of the comments, and I must say it’s very easy to be asinine and mean from a keyboard and computer screen. You really didn’t deserve that for voicing your opinion. I get the same response when I sharemy distaste for certain trends, actors, and musical artists, even when my opinion is asked for, so I’ve been there too.
For the record, I have as much of a repulsion to Hollister as I do to Hot Topic, Abercrombie, and most of the other stores in that vein. The only few I can tolerate are Forever 21 and maybe Charlotte Russe, and mostly for accessories. Even Wet Seal can make me ill at times. It’s aggravating encountering countless tweens obsessed with Chris Brown and/or Twilight, decked out (a season behind) in bedazzled neon shirts, vests, and jeans/leggings or studded black leather, but hey, what can you do?
Hollister is one of the worst, because the lighting in there is awful. I understand it’s to set a “mood” but you can barely see the clothing! I bought a shirt from there that looked an entirely different (unflattering) color in daylight and fluorescent light. I took it back and haven’t gone back since.
Excuse the essay, but it really gets my goat to see someone get flack for feeling the way they do. I even lost my (only) follower for posting the extended rant on Rihanna/Sarah Palin, but I feel how I feel. Keep voicing your opinions, CR, your site’s fantastic!
E. Jays last blog post..This Is Not One of Those Times…
Thanks, E.Jay! I’m not really bummed about the negative comments, I’m simply annoyed at some people’s lack of respect for the English language and disregard for the need to back up their statements even if it is with and experience they have had, e.g. “I love Hollister because their jeans fit me perfectly.”
When I go to the mall I always find myself judging all the lemmings, but I know I probably was, and maybe am, one of those cookie-cutter trend followers. I try not to judge them…
Your Palin/Rihanna post was actually really funny and quite oddly true
Dude. I totally back you up on this. People are ridiculous and you are entitled to your own opinion. I hate Hollister as well and I have a ton of friend who shop there and I always give them smack for shopping at a store that is very dark and the fact that they paid so much money for a shirt that I could make myself for half the price.
=] I completely agree with you in that Hollister is lame, and people who shop there are only looking to fit in. I didn’t know that they didn’t sell black clothes…because I’ve never set foot in the actual store. Uhm….as far as I’m concerned Hollister and American Eagle (and whatever else the shallow cloned teenage girl likes) are lameeeeeeee to the max…and they all seem to sell the same thing…at the same prices!
Oh…and it REALLY bothers me when girls buy a $30 “tee” from Hollister and BRAG about how much it cost. That’s a ton of money for a t-shirt. ugh. rant on about all of these stores as far as I’m concerned, and anyone who says you’re wrong/stupid/whatever…is brainwashed via the Hollister army. =] Vive la résistance!
=]
I am in the same viewpoint as you towards Hollister. I truly don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything. Even when I first entered the store with no preconceived notions, I didn’t have a pleasant shopping experience. Apart from being really poorly lit, the people working there had a field day just staring at me.
But anyways, as you said, people throwing insults around to enforce their opinions is just pure ignorance. Only ends up doing the opposite.
Thiats last blog post..Things Fall Apart.
I personally love Hollister, but I do agree that they are overpriced, and sell the same thing and make people seem like “clones”. And I do agree that you should not be insulted for having an opinion, but this comment made me a little mad.
“…(and whatever else the shallow cloned teenage girl likes)…”
I love Hollister, and all those other “lame stores”, But personally I dont think that makes me “shallow” or “cloned”. Yes, I am only a 14, teenage girl, that shops at Hollister alot, but that doesnt make a person shallow. I shop there and find cute stuff to make outfits with. And even though I do buy alot from Hollister, Id have to say I do not look alot like what most other girls who shop at those stores look like. I make my own outfits, out of a variety of clothing bought from all of those stores.
I do agree with most of the questions you have posted. But In my opinion, Hollister’s clothing looks really good on me, which is why i buy it. Im not going to buy something that looks really bad on me just because its from Hollister. The colors of Hollister’s clothing are also different, because they are faded and not bright, pop-out colors, which i like because faded clothing looks better on me.
I do agree on many of the points that you have made, but I will continue to shop there, because I can always find something to make a cute new outfit with. I dont think anyone should be insulted for having there own opinion, even the people who wear hollister. Hollister is overpriced, the lighting in the store is bad, the employees arent so nice, and are quite stuck up, but if you can afford it, like the clothing, and have enough patience to deal with the staff members, I say go for it. There’s no harm in buying from there then.
i see exactly where you are coming, even though i don’t particular agree. Yes there are many people who shop at Hollister because it’s the place to shop, however not everyone. I personally like destroyed jeans. Not to the point were they are falling of my body but enough to where you can see. The thing is the only companies that seem to make this jeans the way i like them are either too expensive (expensive as in $200 plus), are at A&F, or at hollister. The one at A&F are hundred something and the ones at Hollister are only $60. That’s one of the main reasons I shop there. But I also like the other types of clothing they have too. The thing is not all of their garments have Hollister posted across the front, many have the little tiny seagull imprint that is very hard to see sometimes. But as for those who do buy the shirts with the name across do it to show that they like the company. Many people get shirts with their favorite bands, singers, or tv shows plastered to the front and because of this I don’t see what’s wrong with your favorite store.
I just recently had a job interivew with the folks down at Hollister. as shallow and big chinned as all the people are there, I must say that Iwas awefully flattered to be “recruited” by the bastards. The lighting is bad, yes, it is a bit pricey (i usually shop clearance) and most of the employees are stuck up rich kids, most of the customers are stuck up rich kids, and just about anyone in favor of the brand, is or is closely related to, stuck up rich kids. but aside that, the clothes are comfortable as hell, the colors are fantastic, and the atmosphere is’nt that bad. its certainly unique. and as far as branding goes for all the folks commenting about “cloned teenage girls”, so what if they all look the same. on a shallow note, they all look good at least (right guys??), and on a deeper thought, who in the fuck said your personality vanished with the clothes you wore???
I just stumble across this site looking to purchase a mannequin resembling those in Hollister stores, and I must say I am… Surprised at how great a writer you are. I mean I love Hollister, but if I didn't care either way I would have been taken onto your side of the opinions.
Thank you for the compliment. I'm not entirely sure I was trying to persuade people to dislike Hollister, but I was truly upset about their service. There were much better ways for the sales assistant (model?) to handle the situation.
Oh, and if I remember correctly, the mannequins at the Hollister stores are the fabric ones, right? Those are really cool, except the headless aspect. Good luck on your search!