A chain of mall stores where any scenester can shop for all their pre-packaged sub culture needs. Hot Topic's merchandise is poorly made, yet overpriced. Employees are generally douchebag fashioncore or emo kids who seem to "dress the part" for their job and enjoy approaching all customers entering the store in an over-friendly manner. They might address a customer with a "Hey dude" instead of a professional "Hello Mam." Some people claim they only shop there and buy sale items, however, sale items at hot topic are only bumped down to the price they should have been originally.
by JukeJointJezebel July 12, 2006
Girl: "OMG OMG check this simple plan patch and linkin park sweatband out"
Me: "Fuck you you stupid ass poser"
Me: "Fuck you you stupid ass poser"
by j-doggy April 9, 2005
A chain store that tries to sell underground culture (goth, emo, punk fashion) in a mainstream environment. They are poseurs because they try to market underground culture to the mainstream, and underground culture is meant to be outside the mainstream.
by Negasable January 5, 2008
by William November 24, 2004
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
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