The influencer talks personal style, midlife reinvention, and her favorite Lowcountry finds
After nearly two decades in pharmaceutical sales and marketing, Holley Neary stepped away from corporate life to pursue content creation. Her Instagram account, @byholley, boasts 61,000-plus followers who tune in for her takes on fashion, travel, and beauty. More recently, the Ohio native, who moved to Charleston with her husband in 2021, has been expanding beyond Instagram with her Substack, “The Fine Print,” where she dives deeper into navigating midlife and the stories behind her style. Here, Neary talks wardrobe staples, fall trends, and favorite local finds.
Q: Tell us about one of your most recent splurges.
A: During a trip to Paris this spring, I bought a $200 hairbrush at Le Bon Marché (below). I wanted to hate it because it’s, well...a $200 hairbrush. But the beautiful colors caught my eye, and now I completely understand the hype. My hair is noticeably shinier, smoother, and somehow less frizzy—even in Charleston humidity. It might be one of the most unexpectedly worthwhile luxury purchases I’ve made. Plus it makes me feel like a chic French lady.
Q: What are your plans in town this month, and what will you be wearing?
A: September always feels like Charleston comes back to life after summer. I’ll likely be at dinners around town and local events wearing tailored trousers, a beautiful TWP “Next Ex” blouse (below left), layered jewelry from Hart (below right), and comfortable heels. That’s become my uniform.
Q: What item in your closet could you not live without?
A: “The Carolyn Shirt” by Julia Amory (below). It’s the perfect oversized button-down that works with absolutely everything. I wear it with jeans, over swimsuits, with statement skirts, layered under sweaters, tucked into trousers—you name it.
Q: Do you have your eye on anything for this fall?
A: I’ve become much more interested in beautifully made handbags without obvious logos. Savette has been a favorite for several years, and lately I’ve been eyeing Liffner’s suede clutches (below).
Q: Any current obsessions?
A: Yes, beautifully tailored trousers, statement pants, and matching sets. They make getting dressed effortless while still looking polished. Ruti’s “On the Loose Work Pants” (below) changed the game for me. I call them “magic pants” because they somehow make my short legs look long and lean.
Q: Any upcoming travels? What are you packing?
A: I have a feeling Paris is calling again. I never travel without comfortable shoes, like my Chanel ballet flats and Chelsea boots (below).
