Korn - A.D.I.D.A.S.
Mall Goth
posted December 17, 2024
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The Mall Goth is more than just a fashion inspiration, she is a
cultural icon. Regardless of what part of the country—or world—you’re
from, you’ve seen her. She’s wearing loose-fitting black clothing, has a
messenger bag covered in pins, and is surrounded by a gaggle of
similarly-dressed friends. They’re waiting in line at the food court to
buy Chinese food and then some Tripp pants at Hot Topic (Joey’s dog
ripped one of the straps on his and he needs a replacement). Though
bodily hygiene is not one of her main priorities, she does manage to
scribble a thick layer of Rimmel eyeliner on every morning before
school. She has completely ravaged her family’s computer with viruses,
but her music library is stacked thanks to
Napster. Her rebellion, while understandable, concerns her generally
supportive but straight-laced parents, who wish she was more like her
Normal Sibling. The resulting resentment is the source of low-level
drama, surliness, and contributes to a general feeling of being
“misunderstood.”
I’m not sure if this will be hard to believe or not, but when I was a kid, I wanted to be Goth. I had just finished reading this book called Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn, about a complicated girl with alternative style and a boyfriend named Shrimp. I was nine years old and totally obsessed to the point I posted about it on the message boards of the author’s website, only to be told by the author herself that I was way too young to be reading her books. #neverforget
It’s so obvious I just bought this book because I loved the cover.
My best friend growing up (and still today), Lauren, and I would feed each other’s obsessions. We came up with a concept for an anime-style TV show about two sisters named Spike and Uza—Spike is goth, Uza is girly—who are best friends despite annoying each other. One time, at summer camp, I drew a picture of Spike in her bedroom. I’d decorated her duvet cover with skulls, question marks, and the words “Death is the Answer to All Questions.” A counselor saw it and became very concerned.
I digress, as I am wont to do! I guess I’m just trying to say that Mall Goth lives inside me to this very day. She comes out when my skin is pimply, or my armpits stink, or I’m feeling Trent Reznor-y, or I’m in Tokyo. She is not glamorous, or ethereal, or even very feminine. She bathes in her own filth and she loves what she loves and is very quite possibly on the spectrum and has a diehard group of friends who are equally eccentric. She’s also pretty damn good at drawing manga, if she may so herself…Okay, sorry.
When I conceptualized Mall Goth for this series, I was picturing someone from around 2003-2007, the Golden Era of Mall Goths. I guess you could say they started more in the late ‘90s, but I also wanted to make sure to get some of that Warped Tour, proto-emo flavor in there. Of course, that doesn’t preclude nu-metal—Iowa by Slipknot, anyone? I push my fingers into my EYESSSS?
Muses: Amy Lee, hot goth girls in the music video for “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” by Deftones, Kittie
Here’s the thing about the Mall Goth ethos. Often mocked and derided, it actually speaks to the chaos and sorrow inside all of us. Maybe some people are just brave enough to confront those feelings head-on. When you’re in the mood to be an awkward, stinky, possibly-Midwestern teen growing up feeling like the loser you probably are, it’s time to don Mall Goth attire. By the way, there’s nothing wrong with being a stinky loser who’s still figuring out their body and their place in the world. So if you’re in the mood to go loiter in a Spencer’s gifts, here are some items that’ll get you in the zone.
I’m not sure if this will be hard to believe or not, but when I was a kid, I wanted to be Goth. I had just finished reading this book called Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn, about a complicated girl with alternative style and a boyfriend named Shrimp. I was nine years old and totally obsessed to the point I posted about it on the message boards of the author’s website, only to be told by the author herself that I was way too young to be reading her books. #neverforget
My best friend growing up (and still today), Lauren, and I would feed each other’s obsessions. We came up with a concept for an anime-style TV show about two sisters named Spike and Uza—Spike is goth, Uza is girly—who are best friends despite annoying each other. One time, at summer camp, I drew a picture of Spike in her bedroom. I’d decorated her duvet cover with skulls, question marks, and the words “Death is the Answer to All Questions.” A counselor saw it and became very concerned.
I digress, as I am wont to do! I guess I’m just trying to say that Mall Goth lives inside me to this very day. She comes out when my skin is pimply, or my armpits stink, or I’m feeling Trent Reznor-y, or I’m in Tokyo. She is not glamorous, or ethereal, or even very feminine. She bathes in her own filth and she loves what she loves and is very quite possibly on the spectrum and has a diehard group of friends who are equally eccentric. She’s also pretty damn good at drawing manga, if she may so herself…Okay, sorry.
When I conceptualized Mall Goth for this series, I was picturing someone from around 2003-2007, the Golden Era of Mall Goths. I guess you could say they started more in the late ‘90s, but I also wanted to make sure to get some of that Warped Tour, proto-emo flavor in there. Of course, that doesn’t preclude nu-metal—Iowa by Slipknot, anyone? I push my fingers into my EYESSSS?
Muses: Amy Lee, hot goth girls in the music video for “Back to School (Mini Maggit)” by Deftones, Kittie
Here’s the thing about the Mall Goth ethos. Often mocked and derided, it actually speaks to the chaos and sorrow inside all of us. Maybe some people are just brave enough to confront those feelings head-on. When you’re in the mood to be an awkward, stinky, possibly-Midwestern teen growing up feeling like the loser you probably are, it’s time to don Mall Goth attire. By the way, there’s nothing wrong with being a stinky loser who’s still figuring out their body and their place in the world. So if you’re in the mood to go loiter in a Spencer’s gifts, here are some items that’ll get you in the zone.
Clockwise: Tripp pants, vintage NIN shirt, Vintage spike collar, Vintage Demonia boots, Skull wallet chain, skeleton gloves, vintage leather Emily the Strange bag, Hot Topic c. 2001.
And to say it in the least amount of words, this picture of Korn anime-style, to me, sums up this aesthetic pretty succinctly.
Here are some awesome pictures from 2001 Ozzfest, full of potential fashion inspiration for the Mall Goth within.
And to say it in the least amount of words, this picture of Korn anime-style, to me, sums up this aesthetic pretty succinctly.
Here are some awesome pictures from 2001 Ozzfest, full of potential fashion inspiration for the Mall Goth within.
As much as people who peaked in this era want to relive it, and as much as Zoomers try to approximate it with their fast-fashion dupes, there will never be another moment like this again. But the “angsty teen” has always existed, at least since teenagers existed, which was I believe in the ‘50s. Haven’t we always had some kind of iteration of the sulky, defiant type? This is just one of the best. And if you’re ever confused about how to best channel your inner Mall Goth, think of this old adage, your North Star: it’s all about the nookie.
And with that, I leave you.