Cosplay, short for 'costume-play', is the practice of wearing costumes, props, and accessories to represent and embody a character. Typically, cosplay is the extension of a person’s love for a character or genre, such as science fiction and fantasy, anime and manga, comic books, and other creative media.  For cosplayers and fans, cosplay culture is mostly a space of freedom and expression. For people that don't feel the same connection, cosplay is often misunderstood and seen as just plain weird.  

So, why do people enjoy cosplay? Why do cosplayers choose to embody certain characters? How do they feel while in costume? Does wearing a mask make them feel different?  Sarah asks these questions and more to professional cosplayer and online content creator, Jess @feministchronicles, whose craft focuses on the integration of cosplay, women’s empowerment, and body positivity. Jess is a South Florida native, has a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Women's Studies, and has been cosplaying since the summer of 2017.  

Jess's Social Media: IG: @feministchronicles 

Twitter: @femchronicles_ 

Further Reading: Robin S. Rosenberg: Expressions of Fandom: Findings from a Psychological Survey of Cosplay and Costume Wear