It is clear from the article that the joke calls into question whether these folks downtown truly are "goth" (or insert counter/sub culture here) or are just into the fashion/aesthetic, which, depending on the time and place, may have been particularly trendy. The next season, maybe these folks are wearing bell bottoms.
While if you see a goth presenting despite the difficulty, like you say in a small town or countryside, maybe you can assume they're a true believer.
While if you see a goth presenting despite the difficulty, like you say in a small town or countryside, maybe you can assume they're a true believer.