Store

Making parents and principals sweat across the nation, this faux-fetish/rebel emporium stands tough as the reigning anti-establishment establishment of mall-land. At home playing the "cool" store in sprawling suburban megaplexes or dishing out pop-culture cred on city blocks, Hot Topic dresses bodies boldly at moderate, teen-age/college-student prices.

Stores teem with bold reds and blacks, solids, stripes, and plaids, with pocketed cargo pants and hoodies hanging alongside misguided-Catholic-schoolgirl skirts, vinyl corsets and Lip Service bondage wear. A wide-reaching assortment of body jewelry, belts and miscellaneous accessories complements each look, while a small selection of affordable stilettos, boots and platforms make sure you step in style. Boasting one of the biggest selections of band T-shirts around, from Bob Marley and the Beatles to Bad Brains and Black Flag — plus all your current favorites from 107.7 The End — this is the place to hit when it's time to show allegiance. West Coast Chopper and CBGB designs? Yep, they've got them too, without the time and effort you'd need to take on Long Beach or New York. Unique or DYI it's not, but when your punk, Goth, rockabilly or club kid look could use some help (or you feel like trying out the part), Hot Topic serves itself up as every scene's one-stop shop.

Tip: The selection varies depending on store location. Shoppers will find more gothic/fetish clothing at the Capitol Hill location, whereas the Alderwood Mall will have more raver gear. For the most complete selection, check out the online store.

Justin Paul
Special to NWsource