[BlackButterfly]

I'll put it this way:

You need a job.

You obviously don't want to change your wardrobe for the sake of one.

You can wear what you want at the one place that will hire you right now.

I'd say there wasn't much of a decision!

Honestly, any other place will drive you fuckin' crazi-ER (saaaayyy, Old Navy? The Gap? the nearest grocery store?) even if you did take the bite and do the wardrobe change to get a better(-paying?) job. I'm not sure about the details--I've never had a "typical teenage job". Also, that discount may come in handy after all--you'll have "first dibs" on Hot Topic's more decent accessories when they first come in!

At least you'll be in an environment dealing with people that you can kind of relate to on some sort of level; even if most ARE "mallgoths"/emo kids, you'll meet the occasional person you can deal with. Also, you'll be in a position where you may even be able to educate the younger ones or at least recommend better things for them, and can half expect a few to listen.

I'd say go for it. You'll learn as you get older that sacrifices have to sometimes be made to get in where you want in the working world (where the "stereotypical goth image" isn't necessarily accepted), but there's always a happy medium.

If I didn't ramble too much, I hope a bit of that helped.