its pretty much the punk rock equivalent to abercrombie or american eagle. the store reaches out to teens with a certian style and is pretty expensive. the kids that shop here spend 50 bucks on invader zim stuff, but criticize others for spending the same price on ripped abercrombie jeans. why can't you all stop criticizing each other, mind your own business and shop where you wanna shop dammit!!!
punk 1: look at that preppy bitch buying that 50 dolllar abercrombie shit! fucking ripped jeans are stupid and useless!
punk 2: lets go to hot topic and by invader zim stuff, its only 50 dollars.
punk 1: okay cool.
punk 2: lets go to hot topic and by invader zim stuff, its only 50 dollars.
punk 1: okay cool.
by whAt_uP?! June 11, 2006
A clothing/merchandise store that has increased in popularity dramatically since the late 90's (even though the store itself has been in operation since the late 80's). Hot Topic's intention is to appeal primarily to the gothic, industrial and punk crowds, although in recent years it has also had tendences to cater to the metal and emo cultures among others. The franchise is often perceived negatively, both by the cultures it claims to represent, and those who are not interested in said cultures at all. This perception comes from the fact that a) Hot Topic often only explores the most popular and accessible bands in the previously stated cultures, b) adjusts their merchandise to changes in popular trends and c) often features variations of punk/gothic clothing that is intended to be more appealing to today's youth. Additionally, many also claim the accessories are overpriced and/or cheaply manufactured, and the stores tend to attract naive, impressionable teenagers that are primarily concerned with with the materialistic and surface appeal of the cultures represented (resulting in what could be labeled as faux-rebellion and mass conformism). Despite this, some simply see the store as a convenient place to buy accessories that are otherwise difficult to find without going online or visiting speciality stores. Hot Topic is often seen as a haven for posers because of its focus on popular rock merchandise; fans of the store often have a low opinion of clothing stores perceived as "preppy", such as Old Navy or Abercrombie and Fitch (incidentally, consumers of said stores often have a low opinion of those who shop at Hot Topic).
by Cody richeson April 17, 2006
A Shop that is so Rebelious it has a fucking BABY section, ohh watch out for the pregnated teen! if u want a good store go to pac sun. and not abercrombie or hot topic
Oh Avril is so rebelious with that tie! Lets go to hot topic and fight against society since we love our sk8er bois!
by Anonymous October 01, 2003
a store for rich kids who think that in order to be "punk" or whatver goth fasion is "in" for the season you must spend shit loads of money
by steve ager October 12, 2003
The store that is single-handedly killing emo and goth styles. Cookie monster and Fred t-shirts aren't either of these styles nor is ANYTHING else in that social media market they call a store. The only thing that could be considered emo/goth is their music collection, but bands like Blood On The Dance Floor are making sure to fuck things up as well. Though if you are going for that "super awesome and totally not retarded" scene look, you have come to the right place.
Person 1: Anyone else remember emos and goths from back in the day, when they actually meant something besides lots of makeup, crying, shit music and shopping at Hot Topic?
Mindless Slave: Pfffff, no! Now loan me $120 so i can buy a cookie monster shirt and BOTDF's newest and most epic *cough cough* auto-tuned shit *cough cough* totally emo album!!!!!!!
Mindless Slave: Pfffff, no! Now loan me $120 so i can buy a cookie monster shirt and BOTDF's newest and most epic *cough cough* auto-tuned shit *cough cough* totally emo album!!!!!!!
by Tulip Sn!per January 06, 2011
A store that supplies unknowing people with cheap products made mainly by children working for under a dollar a day
Person: Where'd you get your pants?
Other person: Hot Topic...
Person: You're a horrible person
Other person: Why?
Person: (says above)
Other person: I don't believe you, Hot Topic is a great store, they would never do that
Person: Whatever
Other person: Hot Topic...
Person: You're a horrible person
Other person: Why?
Person: (says above)
Other person: I don't believe you, Hot Topic is a great store, they would never do that
Person: Whatever
by El Fuego Von Malevitch Jr Sah July 05, 2010
Hot Topic is a clothing store just like Hollister or any of the other stores in the mall. Some people think that it is where people go there because it gives them "cred" in whatever little social group the buyer has been labeled in. I personally have been labeled in several groups which none of them are true to who I am. It is true that the prices can be a little outrageous at times but those who really like the clothes are going to be willing to pay for their favorite clothing. Hot Topic has all kinds of stuff and also stuff for everyone, even if you are in a specific clik.
I go to Hot Topic when I have time and a few dollars. There stuff is of high quality and last for a while.
by venom4poison May 17, 2008