For anyone conceived during the Reagan administration and subsequently raised in an American suburb, Hot Topic is synonymous with two things: weekend trips to the mall and cheap clothes. And by cheap, I mean both in manufacture and the visual appeal of the watered-down punk rock garb. Apologies to any Hot Topic-lovers out there; I’ve just never been a fan of lace-up pleather pants and bad graphic tees. But given the recession, perhaps it’s as good a time as any to revisit the exceptionally inexpensive retailer. The 90s are making a comeback after all (from flannel to a No Doubt reunion).