I don't hate Hot Topic- it's just a store trying to make a profit like any other. You can get some decent basic goth stuff there, as long as you don't go nuts and buy ALL your clothes there you should be fine. Of course you gotta watch out for overpriced cheaply-made s**t. I like their "Vamp" energy drinks, and I got a cute pirate-style bikini there on clearance once for $7.
Generally tho I shop for clothes online. Victoria's Secret, Heavy Red, Spooky Boutique, Ebay, halloween costume sites, and fetish stores. There's also some good goth shops in Chicago, but that requires a train ride and bus hopping.