On the second episode of When, Wear, Why, host Sophia Sunbury discusses the history of cosplay with guest cosplayer Sophia Steenman.

Despite the term cosplay coming into existence in 1984, cosplay has been an active part of convention culture and fandom for decades. It even dates back as far as the 1930s in America, according to a thesis on cosplay in the United States published via the James E. Walker Library at Middle Tennessee State University.  With a rich history and an even richer present, cosplay continues to dazzle anyone who comes across it.

Have any fashion subcultures you’d like Sophia to cover next? Feel free to reach out on Instagram @n30_bl0ssum or email her at [email protected].