The early-2000s were a time for cultural clashes of fashion trends coming together. From the onset of Y2K and the impact of globalization through fast fashion and celebrities becoming influential trendsetters, the early 2000s were defined by bright and shiny flannel pants, denim beyond jackets to shirts and hats, and leather skirts for women, and leather jackets for men.
Denim quickly rose to become the staple clothing item for both men and women. Hollister capitalized through their reputation for the rich quality jeans and denim clothes. If you grew up around that time, you probably owned at least a pair of Hollister denim and an iconic black leather jacket.
However, with the advent of fast fashion in the 90s through recognized brands like Zara and Forever21, denim became cheaper and more accessible to the broader consumer base. Hollister is always available but not inclusive of all. The lack of enough Hollister stores around malls makes it harder for those that need to ensure what they buy indeed fits them. Moreover, a spinning rack of just hoodies, sweatshirts, and the same denim can get tiring, especially when an almost similar pair of denim will cost you 14 dollars at a Target mall. So here’s a list of alternative brands that provide you with the fashion aesthetics of the early-2000s, as well as affordability and more mature options in clothing and accessories.
J Brand
J Brand is just as famous for their top-notch denim collections but resonates with the preppy early-2000s fashion just like Hollister. Checkered blazers, a considerate portion of loose tops and dresses, and sweaters form the extensive portfolio of J Brand.
You can get your first denim jeans and complete wardrobe revamps inspired by J Brand with online shopping convenience. Whether it’s through their sister site Theory.com on your mobile phone or app or simply using their store locator, find the most comfortable and quickest way to get your hands on these gems today.
With J Brand, you get green products made from sustainable and recyclable materials that allow you to enjoy quality while being consuming responsibly. You can also enjoy discounts across their wide range of clothing collections and access their products across the globe.
What Customers like yourself had to say
Customers are thoroughly satisfied with the quality of the J Brand’s denim items, and some even boast entire wardrobes of Hollister. They also appreciate brands such as J Brand for their ecologically concerned approach to fashion in such environmentally significant times.
However, complaints have all generally been about the poor online shopping experiences and inadequate and improper customer service, especially regarding the reluctance of post-purchase customer service and aid.
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters is popularly known as the Hollister of the 2010s. Similar to its West-coast roots of fashion from the 2000s, they add their own signature old-school and grungy touch to their clothes. Be ready to be amazed at their massive range of clothing items, accessories, essentials and basics, shoes, and even premium limited edition pieces as well.
Just to give you an idea of how much variety Urban Outfitters boast, just check their Day-to-Night Dresses collection and the STAYCATION collection. They have silk shirts, baby pink tops, cargo shorts that make you feel like you’re about to hit the beach or enter a nightclub. Or simply opt for babydoll dresses, cute frocks, and bodycon to rock from day to night all in one.
Urban Outfitters has just the right sales and offers in women’s accessories starting from $1.99 and tops under $25. They also offer yearly deals and holiday season coupons, etc. Order from one side of the world and get it shipped to you or simply pick it up from stores and if you’re in a hurry, pick the purchase from collection points nearest to you.
What Customers like yourself had to say
It is no surprise to see customers worldwide embrace the essence of contemporary fashion with a brand like Urban Outfitters. They satisfy a large customer base as well as customers of various age groups and demographics. You could be an absolute beginner at denim shopping but Urban Outfitters won’t let you down under any circumstance; you’ll get great value in the long-lasting clothing items they offer.
But their e-commerce aspect of things has been a shambles according to frustrated customers from time to time. Late deliveries and faulty items, misplaced orders, and the irritating call to cancel orders have all been part of the Urban Outfitters experience for many.
ASOS
ASOS is probably the colossus substitute brand for Hollister that provides you all that you want and more. From the most assorted pieces of distressed coats and tees to various denim items, they have got you covered top to bottom, and don’t forget accessories too!
You enjoy the benefit of shopping from the comfort of your home through their phone app available both on iOS and Android; it includes their ‘Style Match’ option so you can opt for that look you found on a Pinterest thread or find your own rhythm at your pace. And if you’re a student, lucky you! They offer 10% discounts on all items exclusively for you. Walkthrough their store with confidence knowing they have a ‘Fit Assistant’ that’ll find your personalized style and measurements. Lastly, if you do order online, know they provide free delivery and returns too!
What Customers like yourself had to say
ASOS is a fan-favorite for its long portfolio of denim, sweaters, jackets, and tops, as well as accessories. This is a brand regular customers of Hollister usually opt for, because of their shopping convenience and range in denim collections. It is popular among the youth for its discounts and contemporary fashion, and its customer service has generally been of good standards.
American Apparel
American Apparel was known for its ‘Made in USA’ products and colorful essentials. They provide the 2000s vibes in vibrant shirts and everything you could imagine in a retail store. Boasting ethical production and standard working conditions for its workers, they are one of America’s most symbolic brands to date.
They have a prominent social media presence allowing customers to connect through popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The brand’s online shop consisting of all-men and all-women sections that offer almost all wardrobe basics you could get your hands on, as well as party attires. You’ll find remarkable similarities in American Apparel if you’re looking for a brand like Hollister.
What Customers like yourself had to say
American Apparel was once an American favorite, especially among its youth. For its domestic production and commendable working conditions and pay, as well as its wholesale-to-retail presence, it lived its peak years in the past. Customers still recognize its brand value and many go on to purchase American Apparel; however, there has been consistent dissatisfaction regarding their online shopping experiences and customer service. If you do want to shop American Apparel, go to their stores.
Wildfox
Wildfox is one of those brands that thrive in its old-school vintage-inspired aesthetic appeal. From tie-dye clothes, luxurious loungewear, printed sweatshirts and pants, to sweaters and matching sets, they’ve got it all.
Traveling for 16 hours and still want to look just laidback and funky simultaneously? Cop their diverse collection of sweatshirts or go for a sturdy tee shirt and leggings combination. They personify fashion for those that want to mix comfort with style.
Their social media presence has been a primary component of their marketing; seeing celebrities like Beyonce, Kourtney Kardashian, and Gigi Hadid in their summer-friendly vibrant clothes should come as no surprise. Even though they are relatively pricey, you get all your everyday needs ticked, and comfort is always a priority.
What Customers like yourself had to say
Customers love Wildfox for its excellent soft washes and colors. A very 2000s brand that inspires the 90s West Coast persona into its clothes, extensive collection, and social media presence recognized by top celebrities makes them an attractive brand primarily for young customers.
Forever 21
Forever21 is perhaps the most similar brand like Hollister in its early-2000s history. They single-handedly brought fast fashion to America, as prevalent in their trendy clothing collections available at affordable price ranges. It is one of the most popular brands among young consumers worldwide; the name Forever21 embodies the clothing brand’s youthfulness. You can get the latest threads in your hands for surprisingly low prices.
What Customers like yourself had to say
Customers love the quality and value Forever21 continues to provide in their products at such low prices. Their stores are a great attraction for on-foot shopping and very youth-friendly. However, their online service is both good and poor in different regions (relating to late deliveries and misplaced items).
PacSun
PacSun has to be one of the prominent brands that embody the late 90s and early-2000s in their theme. Their foundations lie in a California-inspired collection of clothing items, shoes, and accessories. Californian lifestyle was a big part of the 2000s and inspired brands like Hollister, Forever21, PacSun, etc. Denim skirts, flared jeans, an all-denim outfit worn over a simple Led Zeppelin tee – all root from the essence of California’s cultural impact.
What Customers like yourself had to say
PacSun is one of the top-mentioned brands when it comes to contemporary fashion, but for Hollister fans, it has the perfect combination of early-2000s-inspired fashion, as well as its social media presence to combat the demand. Customers are relatively satisfied with the customer service, delivery is an issue at times, but the quality and value of products remain consistent in every customer’s satisfaction.
Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge is the bridge between vintage clothing you wear to an afterparty and the over-the-top funkiness of early-2000s fashion. Much like Hollister, they offer colorful tops, onesies, smock dresses (dresses of many sorts), mini skirts, and much more.
The fun bit is that its playful clothing design is fit for a small party and a professional setting. Capitalize on their specialty if you’re ever shopping from Miss Selfridge; their extensive collection of dresses diverse in colors and fabric. But they also offer shoes and accessories.
What Customers like yourself had to say
While customers are satisfied with the quality, the complaints come thick and fast regarding the poor handling of online shopping matters by the support and the change of taste after new ownership of the company ensued.
Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand is one of the names that rose during the 90s and came up together during the early-2000s with brands like Hollister and American Apparel. They are prevalent for their extensive denim collection for both men and women. Perfect for cute daytime dates with preppy and casual attires, they offer more than denim in various dresses, tops, and accessories. A brand you can wear year-round.
What Customers like yourself had to say
Lucky Brand is for those special occasions and much less for regular wear. Customers are more or less dissatisfied with their delivery service, product quality, and poor environmental ratings in contrast to its high price.
Everlane
Here’s a slightly different alternative to brands like Hollister; Everlane. Boasting its ethically sourced and environmentally-friendly denim and various clothing items offers a simplistic take to elegant fashion and brings out the conscious consumer in you. It recycles and reuses spin-offs and byproducts into premium jeans, produces zero waste, and recycles 98% of its water.
With Everlane, you can trust in a new brand that produces ethically and provides the best quality. Use and reuse their products throughout the year and get more for less.
What Customers like yourself had to say
Customers look to more eco-friendly brands these days more than ever. With the advent of ecological catastrophes, pressure groups, and the internet, brands like Everlane are what customers are more geared towards. You can rely on them for eco-friendly clothes and consume your favorite denim responsibly. Customers usually appreciate the quality it offers.
Why & How These Brands Are The Ultimate Alternatives To Hollister
We looked at ten brands similar to Hollister. We based the criteria upon the early-2000s inspired trends in fashion rooting from the West Coast, and these brands came with their own attributes and the Hollister-like feel. For instance, ASOS is famous for its online shops and can be easily accessible for anyone looking to opt for something slightly different from Hollister.
In comparison, a brand like Everlane is what the future holds. Environmental and ethical consumption has significantly influenced consumer tastes. Yes, you can opt for brands like Forever21 for lower prices and broad accessibility, but a brand like Everlane is precisely the ultimate alternative would be to Hollister. They provide the highest quality denim outfits and other clothing items as well, but eco-friendly. Being a new brand, they are much more customer-oriented than similar brands.