Pacsun vs. Hollister: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Pacsun delivers trendy, streetwear-inspired fashion rooted in current skate and youth culture, featuring bold graphics and oversized fits from various brands. In contrast, Hollister offers a more classic, laid-back casual style inspired by the Southern California beach lifestyle, prioritizing comfortable basics, quality denim, and timeless designs.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe.

Pacsun: The Trend-Forward Streetwear Hub

Pacsun stands as a key retailer for teenagers and young adults who follow streetwear, skate culture, and the latest social media trends. The store is known for offering a mix of its own brand and collaborations with other popular names and influencers, making it a destination for current and sometimes edgy styles. Its aesthetic is deeply connected to California youth culture, blending relaxed fits with a distinct urban feel.

• Product mix: A wide assortment of apparel including graphic tees, hoodies, cargo pants, and a huge selection of denim in various fits. Pacsun is a retailer carrying its own label alongside brands like Fear of God Essentials and Brandy Melville.
• Price point: Generally mid-range, with most pieces falling between $20 and $80. The brand is known for frequent promotions, flash sales, and student discounts.
• Style aesthetic: Focused on what's current. Expect oversized fits, bold graphic prints, streetwear influences, and designs that reflect skate and surf culture. The vibe is decidedly trend-driven and dynamic.
• Quality: The quality is what you'd expect from a trend-focused retailer - decent for everyday wear but not always built for longevity. Materials are typically standard cotton and polyester blends suitable for their price point.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can be inconsistent across the different brands Pacsun carries, but it generally caters to youth fits. It offers everything from slim-fit jeans to super oversized hoodies, so checking the size chart for each item is recommended.

Pacsun is the ideal choice for shoppers who want affordable access to the latest streetwear trends and enjoy building a wardrobe that reflects what's popular right now.

Shop Pacsun: pacsun.com

Hollister: The Classic SoCal Casualwear Brand

As part of the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. family, Hollister has carved out its identity with a consistent Southern California-inspired feel. It targets teenagers and young adults with easygoing, comfortable, and classic casualwear. The brand’s aesthetic revolves around a carefree, beachy lifestyle with less emphasis on fast-moving trends and more focus on foundational wardrobe items like jeans, soft hoodies, and basic tees.

• Product mix: Core offerings include a large variety of denim, graphic tees with a beachy theme, comfortable hoodies, sweaters, and swimwear. The focus is on versatile basics that are easy to style.
• Price point: Mid-range and very comparable to Pacsun, with most items priced between $25 and $70. Hollister runs regular seasonal sales and promotions.
• Style aesthetic: Laid-back, classic, and preppy with a prominent SoCal beach influence. The styles are more timeless than trend-focused, making their pieces wearable season after season.
• Quality: Hollister is often noted for its durable materials, especially its soft-stretch denim and thick, comfortable fleece. The construction and stitching are generally reliable for everyday clothing.
• Sizing/Fit: The brand is known for having very consistent, true-to-size fits across its product lines. It offers an inclusive size range that often includes short, regular, and tall options as well as extended sizes.

Hollister is the go-to for shoppers who value comfort, consistent sizing, and a classic casual style that doesn't change dramatically from season to season.

Shop Hollister: hollisterco.com

Pacsun vs. Hollister Comparison

Price Comparison

Both Pacsun and Hollister operate in a similar mid-range price bracket, making them accessible to teenage and young adult shoppers. However, their pricing strategies differ slightly. Pacsun often feels more budget-friendly due to its frequent "buy one, get one" deals, flash sales, and aggressive promotions on trendy items. This approach allows shoppers to pick up multiple fashionable pieces at a lower cost.

Hollister's prices are comparable, but its value often comes from the durability of its clothing, particularly its denim and hoodies. While they also run seasonal sales, the focus is less on rapid-fire deals and more on providing timeless pieces that justify their cost over time. If your goal is to maximize the number of of-the-moment items you can buy, Pacsun's sales might be more appealing. If you prefer paying for reliable basics that last longer, Hollister offers better long-term value.

Quality & Materials

Hollister generally has an edge when it comes to quality and materials. The brand places a strong emphasis on comfort, which translates into using softer and more substantial fabrics, especially in their fleece hoodies and denim collections. Hollister jeans are well-regarded for their stretchy, durable material and consistent quality that holds up well after many wears and washes.

Pacsun’s quality can be more varied. Because it functions as a retailer for multiple brands, the durability can differ from item to item. Their in-house apparel is typical for a trend-focused brand - it's made to be affordable and stylish for the current season, but may not have the same longevity as Hollister's basics. For foundational pieces you plan to wear for years, Hollister is often the more reliable choice.

Style & Aesthetic

This is the most significant point of difference between the two brands. Pacsun's identity is built on what's new and next in youth culture. Its collections are full of streetwear staples like cargo pants, graphic t-shirts with edgy designs, and oversized hoodies. The brand is for those who want their clothing to make a statement and reflect current music, skate, and influencer trends.

Hollister’s aesthetic is classic, consistent, and safe. Its style is anchored in a timeless Southern California beach look - think relaxed-fit jeans, simple logos, cozy flannels, and beach-themed GFX tees. The clothing is designed to be effortlessly mixed and matched for a comfortable, laid-back appearance. If you follow trends closely, you'll feel at home at Pacsun. If you prefer a timeless casual look, Hollister is a perfect match.

Fit & Sizing

Hollister is known for its highly consistent and predictable sizing. Once you find your size in their jeans or tops, you can typically buy with confidence across their entire range. They also offer a broad range of sizes and fits, including options for different heights, which makes them accessible to more body types.

Pacsun's sizing can be less straightforward. Trend-driven fits mean items are often intentionally oversized or slim-fitting. Furthermore, since Pacsun stocks multiple brands, a medium in one brand might fit differently than a medium in another. It’s always wise to consult the specific product measurements and reviews when shopping at Pacsun online to ensure you get the right fit.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands effectively serve the youth casualwear market, but they appeal to very different style priorities.

Choose Pacsun if:

• You follow streetwear and skate culture and want your clothing to reflect what's trending.
• You enjoy bold graphics, oversized silhouettes, and experimental styles.
• You like the variety of shopping multiple brands and influencer collaborations in one place.
• Your main goal is affordability and building a fashionable wardrobe for the current season.

Choose Hollister if:

• You prefer a classic, comfortable, and timeless style with a preppy, beach-inspired vibe.
• Quality, durability, and soft fabrics in your jeans and hoodies are important to you.
• You value consistent, true-to-size fits that make shopping easy and predictable.
• You want versatile basics that can be easily styled and worn for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pacsun or Hollister cheaper?

Overall, prices are very similar. However, Pacsun often has more frequent and aggressive sales, like "buy one, get one free" deals, which can make it feel cheaper if you're buying multiple trendy items at once. Hollister's value is more in its durable quality which can be more cost-effective over time.

Which brand has better quality clothing?

Hollister is generally recognized for having better and more consistent quality, particularly in its denim and fleece products. Their materials are often softer and more durable than the fast-fashion items found at Pacsun.

What is the style difference between Pacsun and Hollister?

The main difference is that Pacsun is focused on current streetwear and skate trends, offering edgy and bold fashion pieces. Hollister promotes a classic and timeless Southern California beach aesthetic with more relaxed, preppy, and comfortable clothes.

How does sizing compare at Pacsun vs. Hollister?

Hollister has more consistent, true-to-size fits across its collections. Pacsun's sizing can vary significantly since they sell multiple brands and their styles often include intentionally oversized or slim fits.

Which brand is better for jeans?

Hollister is widely preferred for jeans due to their consistent sizing, comfortable stretch fabrics, and durable construction. They offer a huge variety of reliable fits for different body types.

Do Pacsun and Hollister have similar target audiences?

Yes, both brands target teenagers and young adults aged roughly 14-25. However, they appeal to different subcultures within that demographic - Pacsun for the trend-setters and Hollister for those with a more classic casual style.

Is Hollister owned by Abercrombie & Fitch?

Yes, Hollister Co. is owned by Abercrombie & Fitch. It was launched in 2000 as a separate brand with a more accessible price point and a Southern California surf-inspired theme.

Does Pacsun sell other brands?

Yes, Pacsun is a multi-brand retailer. While they have their own in-house label, a large portion of their inventory comes from popular youth-oriented brands like Fear of God Essentials, Brandy Melville, and Vans, among others.