This topic was inspired by the following review for 'The Goth Bible' on amazon:

Quote:

"Unfortunately, I haven't read the book, but this page seems to be a breeding ground for posers."-SO true. if your a neo-goth poser that shops at hot topic then this is perfect for you.

>___< I can't stand that way of thinking!

I shop at Hot Topic! I go there quite often, because its convenient.
Its also nice if you don't have any other stores of the sort nearby. You can actually find some really nice stuff if you dig through the racks and really take a look around.

And at the current time, its easier than going and filling out money orders to buy things online, because I don't have a credit card yet.
I mean no, I'm not too into the extremely brightly colored things they've had in there recently, but I have bought most of my band t-shirts, my make up, several pairs of shoes and hair dye from there.

I really don't see what the big deal is. Or why some people seem to see shopping there as something that they are 'above' doing. Isn't it possible to be genuinely interested in goth subculture, and not be opposed to shopping at stores like Hot Topic? I got over caring if people called me a 'poseur' when I was 13, but that way of thinking still irks me.

Yeah, people suck all over. I understand how frustrating it is. Even when you are strong willed it's disheartening when people make disparaging comments like that.

But you know what, just keep on doing your own thing. If you like shopping there then continue doing so. Screw what everyone else thinks!

I know it's possible to be goth and shop at Hot Topic and other stores the like, because I've bought things there myself and I've been goth longgg before the goth we know today had a name to go by.

Hot Topic gets the poser shop label because when Goth become a fad for awhile and Hot Topics started showing up in malls, it made it easy for anyone with money could go in and become Goth over night. In appearance at least.

But just putting on the clothes isn't going to make you Goth. Your goth because that's who you are. That's why now that the fad is over there's often heard "Where have all the Goths gone?"

I am happy things are now easier to get to especially for young goths. Having a store like Hot Topic in the malls may make it easier for thoses that aren't goth to play dress up, but it also makes it really great for us to get a hold of somethings. Most importantly I think having such a shop in the malls has made it just a little more accepted within society and with parents when it's right there beside mainstream shops. Just a little though.

Call me a poseur then!!!

I've been called a Hell of a lot worse in my life. I actually like Hot Topic - they sell pants that make me feel happy about my body so for that alone they deserve mucho kudos

As for elitism, well PHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEY!

I shop at Walmart for clothes
Anywhere that sells black clothes that fit.
I can care less about brands and stores. I have trouble enough finding pants that fit right. So I go where I may.

Pfft..I used to work there. Hated it. I like some of the clothes but with the stuff they have in there right now I have to use sunglasses to walk through the store.

I have a love-hate relationship with that place. It's mostly the people.

Goodness, I adore shopping at our Hot Topic.

I purchase my Nightmare Before Christmas cards there to share with friends at Christmastime.

Get my black laced gloves there for special events and love giving their baby clothing to close friend's at baby showers.

I've enjoyed using my discount card for years and the personal one-on-one service I receive is just the best...!

I must admit to being a year round Hot Topic shopper...!

(And I've a feeling I'm probably one of their most 'older' customers...)

If you weren't a poseur who shops at Hot Topic you wouldn't be offended by that!

(I'm kidding)

Hot Topic, in my experience, has always been a great place to go for overpriced cheaply made stuff. It's at it's best when it's "there," being the only place around to find *anything* that might be considered wearable.

However, it's not what it once was anymore either, as it's, at least from my glances, moved on with the times and caters largely to the Scene crowd now.

I loathe "labels" and anything "designer" makes me want to drink poison, honestly.

I just can't fathom the draw to wearing a person's name that 1) You will probably never meet and if you did, they'd more than likely blow you off and 2) Honestly doesn't give a crap about you just as long as you're buying their stuff.

I go into HT but do I like the store? No. I have seen a real decline in recent years in their merchandise.

However, it is a good place to look for things that I might be able to find elsewhere. I like the fingerless gloves and my dollar store has them...$1 a pair versus $8 and up in HT.

Had I not seen them in HT first, I'd have never thought to check my local dollar store for them.

I have bought a cape, a doll for a friend's baby shower and some boots there as well as a cute pair of skull and crossbones slip ons, but for the most part, if it's not on clearance, I will walk out after perusing the rack.

ugh, I hate when people give labels to people, just cause of where they shop. Though yes, Hot Topic caters towards the scene group now, it is a great place to find some cheap stuff (I'm with GothicScrybe..if it's not on sale, I don't buy!), especially when you live where I do...

Yeah, there probably are a lot worse names to be called.

^^ Walmart and Goodwill are good places to find cheap clothes to fix up. You never know what you might find.
A lot of stuff in Hot Topic is overpriced, but most of it winds up in clearance and that evens it out. And if I have relatives who want to take me clothes shopping that's where we go.

Hmm, that's unusual. I've always known the HT employees to be the nicest people. At least the ones here and where I used to live. I always end up staying and talking to them for a while.

Madelchai wrote:

If you weren't a poseur who shops at Hot Topic you wouldn't be offended by that! (I'm kidding) Hot Topic, in my experience, has always been a great place to go for overpriced cheaply made stuff. It's at it's best when it's "there," being the only place around to find *anything* that might be considered wearable. However, it's not what it once was anymore either, as it's, at least from my glances, moved on with the times and caters largely to the Scene crowd now.

Good answer!!! Yeah, there is quite a bit of scene-clothing in there now, but there's usually one or two cool things thrown in with all that.

GothicScrybe, it is a really good place to get ideas. Like I saw these red rose hair clips in there with these black feathers around them. If I'd bought them at HT they'd be 16$, but I got the supplies in the craft store and paid 3$ at the most.

My rule for shopping is never buy anything you can make yourself.

I suppose that as long as there's insecure people around the whole 'poseur' label will be around. I guess its like The Lady of the Manners from Gothic Charm School said, if someone feels the need to throw the poseur label around your best defense is sarcasm....

I never once claimed that I was goth...or anything for that matter except me.
So I'm not a poseur
haha

I swear by GoodWill, other misc. thrift shops I find here and there, and yard sales.

I have found some of the best clothes at yard sales.

^^ Haha, probably. I wasn't really sure of the spelling. I figured the 'poser/poseur' spellings were a regional thing like 'grey/gray' or 'color/colour'. I guess I must be a poser for not knowing how to spell it right.

Aw no! That wasn't a knock at you, Lolita Rose. Just me being a smartmouth. (I should have read more closely.)

I have a feeling the new "gothic charm book" will become the next target as it get's better known.

You shouldn't judge anyone by the place they shop, but if you get your fashion cues from Hot Topic, then you would be a poser. I mostly get my clothes from Wal-Mart, Goodwill, Peebles, Cato, and any other store that is near me since Hot Topic is still a little too expensive for me. I will peruse through the Hot Topic site to drool over some of the tops, bottoms, and jewelry, but I can't afford any of that stuff.

The whole "Hot topic is for posers" thing is rediculus. Hot topic does tend to carry a lot of good lables. For example, Lip Service, which happens to be one of my fav lables at the moment. I guess because hot topic can be located in the mall, which is where all the "Trendies" and "Rednecks" go, it must make someone a poser.
I <3 stupid people.