Welcome to Gaia! ::

I'm a mall rat, and I don't really care who knows. I just like to get out of the house. Anyways, I don't usually shop at Hot Topic because even their discount stuff is too much for me (I mean, seriously, paying 15 bucks for a shirt with word on it is ridiculous, I don't care who you are), I don't like the stuff there, and they are located in only 2 of the 8 malls I go to. Maybe I'll go to see what kind of band's cd's they have there, and than go buy it at Target for cheaper! ^^ I got an In Flames cd at target for $8 and it was selling for like $22 at Hot Topic.

You can find "gothic" attire anywhere. I mean, if you just want black and comfortable, than, yeah, you can go anywhere. I wear a lot of colors, too, by the way. But, give me 3 hours and 50 bucks and let me loose in any mall, I can get you an entire outfit, not including shoes and under-clothing, and I promise you'll like it.

I got some make-up from Hot Topic, but it sucks big time. I bought a black eye-liner pencil and red eye-liner pencil for a little less that 5 bucks, and the black fades off in less than an hour. Now I have decent black eye-liner from a small shop called Susie's Deals which is located all around the U.S. Everything from Susie's is 5 bucks or less, and is decent. I'd stay away from the underwear, though, that falls apart real easily along with the shoes and socks, too.

Whether it's posuerish, I really don't care. I don't care if anything is. I just wear what is comfortable, made somewhat well, I like how it looks, and is a decent price. Even the local thrift stores are nice, at least the ones in the suburbs. The thrift stores in city type areas are expensive.

Also, some of Spencer's stuff isn't half bad, but I here similar things about them from time to time, too. All I have to say is if that Spencer's has tape across ANYTHING, don't get it. It's damaged goods. I love the look of the jewelry, but it usually falls apart. I'm glad I can just go to my jewelry teacher and ask him to sauder a few pieces so it's stronger.

Oh yeah, and what's with buying "virgin" bracelets everywhere still??? Not to mention they are overpriced. You can go to just about any electrician or AC/Heating technician and see if you can buy it off of them. Yes, they have an actual use. What a lot of people wear now are the mess-ups that the electricians can't use for any particular reason, and buying them for more than the good ones are sold as to the companies. So haha. I forgot what they're actually called, though. I used to just get them from my dad all the time; he's been an AC/Heating technician for about 20 years now.

Sorry, I got a bit off subject, so I'll shut up now. sweatdrop

I've only been to Hot Topic once, because I live in the land of Preps & Hicks
so all we have here are A&E ect ect
and Cowboy crap
so I shop online for some of my stuff.
I must admit, I do go to Hot Topic first when I am looking for somthing specific.
the only things I have bought there are AFI tank top and AFI messenger bag
^_^
but I like to go to Interpunk & Drac-in-a-Box
for my extrem gothique clothing
but other then that, I stick to Kohl's and Ross
wink

sometimes i wonder if they are just starting to get into it so they are going in there to get some stuff...hmm.

i have trouble getting to hot topic but i might be going soon. i just get clothes from random shops (no prep stores though...they scare me...)and screw them up or add my own touch. i make my own wristbands and am currently trying to make black/white stripped arm socks soon as i can get some cloth.

i agree that they can be pricey at time..but the material of their clothes is awsome...maybe you just have a crappy Hot Topic...because the Tripp pant that everyone says suck cuz they're made of poor material...i have like 14 pairs of them..they're confortable and i wear them all the time..they never get messed up...unless you go into a mosh pit with them..then they can get messed up..but only if you leave the chains on

tripp pants ! thats what they're called XD
i hate the bottoms with the laces to tighten the ankle area, all mine get stepped on and drag now, but they still work 8D

Hot Topic is somewhat poser-ish but I do shop there cause some the stuff is pretty cool. I see quit a few Preps and Poser's go in there and some skaters though Vans is only around the corner.

I really don't care if preps shop at hot topic because I sometimes go to preppy stores because I like some of the stuff they have there, just like some preps like some stuff from hot topic.