I know this may sound stupid, but:

 

Is it okay to shop for visual kei clothes at Hot Topic?

 

Hot Topic is known for being "poser-ville" and whatnot.

 

So I'm a bit confused. Also, are there any places in New York where I can get visual kei/ punk attire?

Personally im not sure because I dont live in the US but from what Ive heard its okay to shop at hot topic just be careful about what you choose.

I think I heard of a place that sells japanese brand in New york, cant remember the name of it though, maybe someone else here does, if i remmeber Ill post it here

 

EDIT: The stores name is Tokyo Rebel.

Their website and location are here http://www.tokyorebel.com/

Also, you might wanna check out refuse to be usual on ebay, they have some good stuff that isnt TOO expensive.

I have only been in a hot topic once but it didn't really stick me as a vk store (I don't know if it's changed). It had more of a... casual goth thing to it? Or maybe slightly heavier emo? I don't know how to describe it. It didn't really have that wow, that theatrical quality that vk has. If it's still like that I really wouldn't try that since it would be a bit of a waste of money if you buy things that might not fit into the wardrobe you really want.

You know you'd be surprised how much punk and unique items you can find in thrift stores. It takes a long time to look through and find things but if you can't find/afford anything else it's great.

As a long time Hot Topic shopper, I have to say that they USED to have a ton of great stuff, but recently they have changed more toward the emo/hipster arena.  Within the last couple years, the goth/punk clothes have been more hidden in the back of the store while the Hello Kitty/Twilight/Super Mario Brothers stuff has steadily moved out in the front. 

With that said - I haven't bought a good gothic/punk piece from them in years - I just haven't liked anything.  But they do have some very interesting pieces sometimes.  I think its worth shopping in as long as you only purchase the pieces that you truly love and can coordinate with the other pieces that you have.  You might consider using their website - they have a section called "Dark Street" which is their more gothic pieces.  There are a lot of "Web Only" pieces that are kinda cool. (http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/DarkStreet.jsp) Just my opinion, but I find their pieces to be too expensive for the quality. 

But I will say, their make-up line is pretty good (Not MAC by any means, but it's great if you're on a budget!)!  Awesome, vivid eye shadow colors that are great for visual kei.  They're $2.99 each, and Hot Topic has been running a "buy one get one half off" sale on accessories for a while.  They also have nail polishes, nail color pens, mascara and eye liners I think.  :)

Hope that's a little helpful. ^_^

I shop in Hot Topic (mainly because they have a 10% military discount). And Namida is right, once you push past all Twilight stuff occasionally they have nice things. But I will warn you be careful about anything you buy that is a brand named Tripp from there; The zippers like to break on their clothes. Personally I mainly buy corsetts from Hot Topic, OH! and make sure you get a membership card if you are going to shop there.

Thanks for the advice, all! I've been to Tokyo Rebel. It's really cool, but I'm kinda on a budget, so I hardly buy things from there. I'll probably check out some accessories and the make-up line.

The thing about Hottopic is that they sell different kinds of brands so it may vary.  It can be VK-able or maybe not.

One of the brands I like that hottopic sells is Demonia (its a shoe brand from UK).  They sell gothic, punk type of shoes for a very good price.  I purchased 2 shoes from them and I think they're awesome.

I'm looking at hottopic at the moment, and they're selling lip service (another brand from UK) which sells punk, gothic apparel.  I find the black and red lace jacket very cool though (this one)

Also, they sell tons of stud belts (coolness especially if you like punk apparel).

Yea... Hot Topic doesnt have much VK stuff but if you push past all those things mentioned above, there is quite a selection of good things... i buy anything i like there and sometimes, they're jackets or shirts are quite cute... got one not so long ago with a I ♥ Gir jacket... bright geen and white with ears on the hood... quite cute~! :D 

I don't know much about Hot Topic however i do know a lot about finding unexpected pieces in unexpected places :) So never leave a store unexplored, you never know what you might find! ^^ I've found so much stuff for my lolita wardrobe in the most weird places ^^

I have things from hottopic i wear with my Visual Kei stuff so i can make up many outfits. Wearing Tripp is more going into Goth. but if you wear Tight pants with straps it's pretty much VK. Strapy, lacy, tight. It's getting there i think. be ceative

oh finally another punk styler in nyc like me

ok im gonna give you the rundown on my list of where i shop though its probrablu only good for gothic lolita, but maybe you can mix it up

gothic rennicance-108th 4th avenue between 11th and 12th street
vampirefreaks- 189 avenue A
both in downtown manhattan