Anyone noticed how more and more in recent years it has become a thing to dress up for premiere weekends of movies that have anything to do with any sort of fan base? Star Wars started that particular phenomenon, I think. But then it was done for Lord of the Rings a lot. Even League of Extraordinary Gentleman and Pirates of the Caribbean and such had people dressing up for them. Not all of them are otaku.
I LOVE cosplay. I'll use absolutely any excuse to dress up.
Granted, there's times it just doesn't work well to be in costume, but my sister and I always thought it was some of the best fun you could have to spend a little bit of time and unnerve those who narrowmindedly think they define the standard of "normalcy."
Some of our fondest memories from our first con we went to together involved frolicking about in the mall right across the street. How convenient that Kumori had one too! Brought back -such- fond memories.