Is Hollister activewear worthy? Gilly Hicks balletcore tops review & size guide ๐
Is Hollister Cheaper in Japan? 2026 Tax-Free Guide ๐๏ธโ๏ธ
Hello everyone๏ฝItโs Hattie here ๐ During my latest trip to Tokyo, I made a mandatory detour to the Hollister store in Odaiba, and oh my gosh, I have so much to tell you! If you know me, you know Hollister has been my absolute go-to brand for years. Their fabrics are literally the softest things alive, and their designs always have that perfect touch of effortless, girly charm that completely steals my heart.
Now, full disclosure: back home, I am a certified, gold-medal-winning couch potato ๐๏ธ๐ฅ. I usually just blindly order everything online from my bed because leaving the house requires way too much social energy. My daily routine involves being permanently glued to my sofa, and honestly, traveling abroad is the only thing that actually motivates me to put on real pants and walk around!
But since I was already flying across the world to Tokyo, this Hollister fangirl had to pay a visit to their massive brick-and-mortar location inside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. And guess what? I discovered that you can actually get an amazing tax-free deal here!
In this ultimate 2026 shopping guide, Iโm breaking down my store experience, giving you an honest, one-year-later wear review of Hollisterโs super popular activewear sub-brand, Gilly Hicks, and sharing a foolproof sizing guide for petite frames. Plus, stick around until the end for a step-by-step walkthrough of DiverCityโs painless tax-free process. Trust me, youโll want to save these money-saving tips!
๐ Odaiba Hollister Store Vibe & Shopping Experience
Once you arrive at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba, you really canโt miss it. The iconic Hollister neon signage is super bright and welcoming right near the main shopping areas. Just follow the classic, laid-back California music, and you’re there!
โ ๏ธ Hattieโs Pro-Tip: Keep an eye on the clock! DiverCity closes at 9:00 PM. Because the tax-refund process can get a bit crowded near closing time, please don’t get too lost in shopping paradise. Give yourself plenty of time so you don’t miss out on your tax savings!
The first thing I noticed when walking in was just how incredibly spacious and airy this store is. It has zero cramped vibes, which is a massive relief compared to some tiny Tokyo boutiques.
If you’re traveling with your boyfriend or husband, do not worryโthey won’t be bored out of their minds. The store features a huge, dedicated guy’s section packed with high-quality hoodies, tees, and casual wear. You can easily turn it into a fun couple’s shopping date!
As for the women’s section, it’s packed with that signature sunshine-and-beach aesthetic. My main mission for the day was the Gilly Hicks activewear line, which beautifully occupies its own gorgeous corner of the store. Even though I visited during the peak summer tourist season, the store never felt suffocatingly packed. The absolute best part? There was zero line for the fitting rooms. I was able to try on outfit after outfit without feeling rushed at all!
๐๏ธโโ๏ธ The Main Event: Gilly Hicks Activewear Review & Sizing
Iโve been secretly eyeing Gilly Hicks online for the longest time, but I was always a little terrified that it would be a total flop in real life. Getting to touch the fabrics and test the elasticity in person at the Tokyo store was a game-changer. The quality was so impressive that I immediately grabbed a few pieces.
Fast forward to today: I have put these clothes through the absolute wringer for a full year, and my honest verdict is that the price-to-quality ratio is completely insane. The fabric feels like a absolute cloud on your skin!
Most traditional activewear brands focus entirely on a minimalist, hyper-functional, or “tough gym-shark” aesthetic. But Gilly Hicks? They boldly throw in dainty bows, balletcore elements, and pastel pinks. It is so rare to find workout clothes that feel this unapologetically feminine!
And don’t worryโthis isn’t just “fast fashion” gym wear that rolls down, stays translucent when you squat, or cuts into your skin. It holds up perfectly during heavy lifting sessions. You can confidently be a literal gym Barbie while hitting your personal records! It has easily become one of my top-tier activewear brands.
๐ Sizing Guide for Petite Profiles (5’2″ / 159 cm)
To give you a clear baseline for your own shopping trip, here are my personal stats:
Height: 5’2″ (159 cm)
Waist: 27 inches
When shopping at Hollister in the US, I am a standard size Small in tops and hoodies. For their classic denim, I prefer a size 26 for a perfectly snatched, tight fit.
My biggest takeaway from trying on their activewear line is that you can safely size down for their bottoms! If you also have a 27-inch waist, choosing a size 26 (or an Extra Small/Small depending on the specific item’s stretch) provides the most flattering compression and security.
๐ Soft Pink Open-Back Active Top
The material on this top is everything Hollister promisesโbutter-soft and incredibly gentle. It features built-in, lightweight removable padding, which means you can completely skip wearing a separate sports bra. Honestly, for lazy summer days, this is a lifesaver!
The built-in cups create a very natural, flattering shape without looking awkward or boxy. Turn around, and thereโs a gorgeous open-back cutout detail that keeps you feeling super cool and ventilated during hot walks or intense workouts.
๐ If you need some pink in your activewear rotation, grab it here before it sells out!
๐ฉฐ Balletcore Bow Workout Tank (Baby Blue)
It is so incredibly hard to find a workout tank this cute. Aside from the stunning, universally flattering baby blue shade, it features a tiny, delicate stitched bow ๐ right at the center of the chest.
I am absolutely obsessed with the coquette/balletcore fitness trend right now. Every time I put this on, my motivation to actually hit the gym increases by about 200%! It also comes with built-in padding and features beautiful criss-cross strap details on the back.
If I absolutely have to nitpick a downside, itโs that if you compare Gilly Hicks to high-end luxury athletic brands that cost over $100 a pop, the tailoring here might show a tiny bit of minor fabric wrinkling during complex yoga twists. But honestly? Given the gorgeous aesthetic and the price point, I would happily buy it again in a heartbeat!
๐ Click here to shop the latest Gilly Hicks Balletcore & Bow Activewear Collection!
๐ฉณ Ultra-Comfy Classic Lounge Shorts
Since Hollister is the reigning king of cozy fabrics, I highly recommend grabbing a few pairs of their lounge shorts or casual graphic tees if you see a print you love!
They are the ultimate uniform for lounging around the house. Plus, if the delivery driver rings the bell or you need to run out for a quick iced coffee run, you still look effortlessly put-together and cute rather than sloppy. For reference, back when I took these photos with a 27-inch waist, the size Small fit me with the perfect amount of breathing room!
๐ Browse Hollisterโs Best-Selling Cotton Lounge Shorts and Couch-Potato Essentials here!
๐ฐ The Math Breakdown: Is it Cheaper than the US?
Letโs talk numbers, because this blew my mind. We all know that the absolute cheapest place to buy Hollister is usually in the United States when they run those massive, clearance-style sitewide online sales.
But shopping in Japan as a tourist is a very close, highly competitive second placeโthanks to the combination of store promotions and tax-free perks!
Let’s do some quick math using the baby blue workout tank I bought:
Original Japanese Sticker Price: 3,690 JPY (including tax)
In-Store Promotion: The store was running a 20% off deal for spending over a certain amount, bringing it down to 2,952 JPY.
Tax-Free Refund: After processing the refund and subtracting the mall’s service fee, the final cost came out to roughly 2,725 JPY.
When you convert that back to USD with the highly favorable exchange rates, this gorgeous brand-new activewear top cost me under $18 USD๐คฏ
Getting a brand-new, non-clearance item from a premium mall brand for under twenty bucks is unheard of. It completely beats buying random, low-quality fast fashion online!
๐ 4 Steps to Painless Tax-Free Shopping at DiverCity
To make sure you get these incredible savings, here is exactly how to navigate the DiverCity tax-free counter like a seasoned pro:
1. Meet the Minimum Spend:
Ensure your total pre-tax purchase amount across participating stores reaches at least 5,000 JPY.
2. Download the App Ahead of Time:
DiverCity utilizes a digital tax system. Download the PIE VAT app on your phone while you are still on your hotel’s Wi-Fi. It saves you from struggling with spotty mall cellular service at the counter! If you get stuck with the setup, don’t worryโthe staff are incredibly helpful.
3. Head to the 2F Counter:
After paying at the Hollister register, bring your receipt, your physical passport (copies don’t count!), and the actual clothing items down to the centralized Tax Refund Counter on the 2nd floor (located right near the food court area). The staff there are absolute linguistic geniuses and speak flawless English, so communication is a total breeze.
4. Understand the Fees:
The mall retains a small administrative handling fee of about 1.5%. This means instead of getting the full 10% consumption tax back, you’ll receive a net refund of roughly 8.5%. Also, note that they don’t hand you physical cash; the refund will be credited directly back to the credit card linked to your PIE VAT app within a few business days.
๐ Hattieโs Final Thoughts
Tokyo is a literal dream destination for fashion lovers! Even when you’re looking at classic American staples like Hollister, shopping abroad with tax-free incentives turns it into an absolute treasure hunt. If you love sweet, coquette aesthetics mixed with actual gym functionality, you absolutely need to check out the Gilly Hicks section at DiverCity.
Would you guys want to see a comprehensive review of my massive Hollister denim collection next? I may or may not have hoarded a ridiculous number of their jeans over the years because the fit is pure magic for petite girls! Let me know in the comments below or come slide into my IG DMs to chat. Until next time, happy shopping! ๐
๐ Hattieโs Choice๏ฝThe Fashion Essentials ๏ผAmazon Edit๏ผ
โจ QINSEN Double Lined Bodysuit
The ultimate viral staple! It gives you that snatched, tucked-in look without ever bunching up.๐click to shop
The hidden hero of every look! Truly invisible, even in very low-cut flats. They actually stay up all day, so you get all the comfort without sacrificing any style.๐click to shop
๐ค JASGOOD Womenโs Leather Belt
Instant outfit elevator. This classic leather belt with a timeless gold buckle adds the perfect polished touch to jeans or tailored pants. An absolute wardrobe staple.๐click to shop
๐ถ๏ธ ViewJoy Retro Oval Sunglasses
The ultimate cool-girl accessory. These vintage-inspired oval frames give any look an instant trendy boostโperfect for lazy makeup days or sunny outings.๐click to shop
The “it-shoe” of the season! These sheer mesh flats add a high-fashion edge to any basic outfit. Breathable, chic, and incredibly on-trend for that minimalist look.๐click to shop
๐ Leviโs Super Low Loose Jeans
The perfect Y2K throwback! These give you that effortless, baggy silhouette with a cool low-rise fit. A total must-have for achieving that relaxed, “cool-girl” aesthetic.๐click to shop
๐ JW PEI Tessa Shoulder Bag
Minimalist perfection. The sleek, curved shape fits perfectly under your arm and instantly completes your look. Vegan leather that actually feels luxurious.๐click to shop
๐ PAVOI 14K Gold Croissant Ring
My favorite hack for making coffee shots look expensive! Itโs the perfect chic detailโwaterproof, affordable, and elevates your daily style in seconds.๐click to shop
๐ Thaivor 14K Gold Dainty Bow Necklace
The perfect balance of bold and delicate. This chain adds just the right amount of shine to a simple bodysuit and is a must-have for easy, effortless layering.๐click to shop
๐ทWant to see more live updates from my Japan travels? Iโve archived everything from this trip into my Story Highlights! Although my travel funds are completely dried up for now ๐ฅฒ and my feed will mostly focus on daily outfits, if you’re looking for some travel outfit inspiration, come check out my instagram @hattiefoundthis! ๐โจ
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