Mall Goth is a fashion subculture that emerged in the early 2000s, combining elements of gothic style with mainstream accessibility and affordability found in shopping malls.
Mall Goth emerged in the early 2000s as a more accessible and commercialized version of traditional goth subculture. It gained popularity among teenagers who were drawn to the aesthetic but found traditional goth fashion too extreme or expensive. The style was heavily influenced by the rise of emo and punk-pop music, as well as the increasing availability of alternative fashion in mainstream retail stores like Hot Topic.