I am.... confused. When do you do this "cosplay" of which you speak? If it's at conventions and stuff, wtf do English people do, because as far as I can tell we don't really do conventions... And what do you do if you look shit all like the person you're trying to be? I mean, I struggle to think of any characters in really unspeakably nerdy AWESOME television shows that I wouldn't look like a tool pretending to be...
Some people cosplay randomly, but mostly at conventions or parties. There's a ton of anime, manga and comic conventions in England I think, you just need to find them. Over here you have to search, 'cos they don't advertise. They don't need to, a ton of nerds have their ears to the ground for this kind of thing.

And it's hard to look like an anime character, as they have giant eyeballs and unnatural proportions. XD It's not supposed to matter, it's supposed to be a way to celebrate your favorite characters. Even if you don't look like them, acting like them is certainly a good way to get who you are dressed as across. It's also a great way to get free cigs (bumming at conventions while dressed as a popular character is a cinch!) XD.
I'd look like a tool pretending to be the Doctor, but DAMN it'd be fun walking around like that, with psychic paper and telling people to run.

Edit (now including pics!!):

I used Walmart's extensive wardrobe selection (LOL) to dress up as a Jedi, and I ran around with a lightsaber at 3am.
I need to ask my fiance to upload the pics of me as Ed and Lady. Those are cuuuute!