Hollister

Dim light. Beachy background music. Palm trees. Skinny girls. Toned males. Is this the definition of the Californian vibe Hollister supports?
I didn’t like the setting or the atmosphere. I feel like it indirectly offends the bigger sized, less attractive, not so curvy girls and offends the scrawny, short, less attractive guys. It is because of these type of self promotion that drives others with the desires to be like them by not eating in an attempt to lose weight.
But I have to say the style and fashion are very chic. I really like it, but many of them showed too much skin. I guess that’s what Californian girls wear? Also, why am I paying $ 25 for a shirt with a bunch of holes in it?

Eeeek!
That was my first thought on entering as an overly enthusiastic greeter/​t-​shirt folder screeched «hey, what’s up?!?» in my ear. First of all, she practically deafened and frightened the crap out of me. Secondly, I’m well past my teen years so I don’t actually know what the proper response is to that question. Is it rhetorical? Is there an accepted response? As it was I just sprinted away from her as quickly as I could, through the gloom to the stands which appeared to hold clothing.
I wouldn’t usually shop in here but I bought my little sister a Hollister hoodie for Christmas which she liked. It was not a completely easy process-​I found a tear in the logo when I brought it home so had to return it. The girl on the desk said she thought it was meant to look like that. Really?!? Anyway, it’s now coming up to little sister’s birthday so decided to revisit. I popped in last week for a quick recon mission to see if anything looked gift-​worthy. I left soon after I found a couple of teens engaged in a make-​out session at the back. I think they may have become confused by the loud music and darkness and thought they were in a club? They were completely oblivious to any shoppers anyway and the staff completely ignored them.
I did manage to buy a top and dress for my little sister. The dress is cute (even when I managed to see it in the light at home) and was on sale. The top is also bright and comfy looking. I’m sure she’ll like them! Service was pretty quick and with only mild fakeness. I escaped alive and managed to speed past megaphone mouth greeter who yelled goodbye as I left.
*Pros: Some good reductions at times. Much of the stuff is overpriced.
Doesn’t stink as much as Abercrombie & Fitch
Bit cheaper than A&F (it would want to be-​that place is crazy)
*Cons: Scary greeters
It’s practically pitch black in there. Who knows what you’re
actually buying?
Sizes are tiny-​made for little high school girls who don’t eat
Music is so loud! (And I’m so old!)
**Overall 2.5 stars**

I kinda hate it here.
Yesterday I was with my friends and their cousin was in town visiting. She was from a small town and thus really wanted to do some shopping and check out stores that she’d never been too. Hollister was one of them.
This place just makes me feel strangely vulnerable and sad. Maybe it is the dim lighting that makes you feel lost. Maybe it is the too loud teen-​y music. Maybe it is the giant posters of people posing by the beach. Maybe it is their small fitting sizing that makes me feel inadequate.
Yah yah I know I shouldn’t let it get to me. And I try not to. But still. It bothers me.
No thanks Hollister.