Costumes As Conduits

Why I Cosplay

Victorian and Contemporary Liv Moores. Photo taken with author’s phone by passerby

I describe myself as a cosplayer to people vaguely familiar with the term but who don’t do the activity themselves. The term is at last enough in the cultural lexicon that it’s a simple way to say “I like to dress up in costumes at any provocation.” Is it Pirate Days at the bay? I’m there, sword a-clanking at me side. Is a local theatre doing Rock of Ages? I got my spikes on. Steampunk picnic? How much booze can…