Costuming vs. Cosplay

[esprix]

What's the difference for you between costuming and cosplay?

Lately I've seen "cosplay" used almost exclusively to refer to any kind of costuming (re-creations, hall costuming, steampunk, etc.), but I see them as different. I'm curious what other costumers think.

DISCUSS! :)

Comments

[pinkerdot]

I was always under the impression that cosplay had to do with emulating specific characters, while costuming is the wider umbrella under which cosplay fits. Then again, I don't do much of either. Enlighten me!

[esprix]

I was hoping to be the one enlightened! :D But your definnition is about what I was thinking - cosplay is the "playing" of a character re-creation, whereas costuming, a broader topic, is wearing something that isn't necessarily a re-creation, nor necessarily acting like the character/person you're re-creating.

[esprix]

I know what the difference is in my mind, but I was looking to see how other people viewed it. :)