You've seen the orange hair. It’s everywhere. Since Inside Out 2 smashed box office records to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, the shift from dressing up as Joy or Sadness to the frantic, caffeine-wired look of Anxiety has been impossible to miss. It makes sense, right? We’re all a little stressed.
The sequel didn't just give us a new story about Riley entering puberty; it basically handed us a new color palette for our wardrobes.
When Pixar's character designer Keiko Murayama and the rest of the team started conceptualizing the new emotions—Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Envy—they weren't just picking colors out of a hat. They were building a visual language. If you're looking for Inside Out 2 costumes, you aren't just looking for a sweater. You're looking for a specific vibe that captures a very specific, very relatable brand of teenage (and adult) chaos.
Why Anxiety is the Breakout Star of Inside Out 2 Costumes
Honestly, the Anxiety costume is the one people can't stop talking about. It’s the orange skin, the frantic eyes, and that striped turtleneck that looks like it was plucked straight from a 1990s gap ad.
Why does it work so well?
Anxiety’s design is "fraught." That’s the word the creators used. She’s got this Muppet-like quality, with hair that looks like it’s constantly being electrocuted. To pull this off in real life, most fans are ditching the cheap plastic masks. They’re going for high-quality orange face paint and DIY headbands using orange marabou feathers or stiffened yarn to get that "standing on end" effect.
But it’s the turtleneck that really anchors the look. It's orange and white, thin stripes, tucked into high-waisted brown trousers. It’s a bit retro. It’s a bit frantic. It’s exactly what a nervous breakdown would wear to a business meeting.
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The Ennui Aesthetic: French Chic Meets Boredom
Then there’s Ennui. Deep indigo. Constant eye-roll.
If you want an Inside Out 2 costume that requires the least amount of physical effort—which is very on-brand—Ennui is your girl. The costume is basically a dark navy or indigo tracksuit or a long-sleeved "comfy" set. The key here isn't the clothes; it's the posture. You have to look like you haven't moved from the sofa in three days.
Pixar's designers gave Ennui a very specific silhouette. She’s noodle-like. To replicate this, cosplayers are using oversized, draped fabrics that hide the body's shape. And don't forget the phone. Ennui is nothing without her "console" app. It’s the ultimate lazy-day costume that still looks intentional because of that specific shade of blue-purple.
Getting the Details Right for the Core Emotions
We can't forget the originals. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear are still staples, but they’ve had a bit of a glow-up in the sequel’s merchandise and fan interpretations.
- Joy: She still has that lime-green dress with the blue bursts, but the fabric texture in the movie is much more "glittery" and "fiber-optic" than before. If you’re making this, look for iridescent fabrics.
- Embarrassment: This is the sleeper hit of the season. A massive, oversized pink hoodie. That’s it. But it has to be huge. You need to be able to pull the drawstrings until your face disappears. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants to be "in costume" without actually being perceived by another human being.
- Envy: She’s tiny. She’s teal. She has giant eyes. For Envy, it’s all about the polka-dot dress and the sparkly hair. It’s a "cute" look that masks a lot of complex feelings.
The DIY vs. Store-Bought Debate
Look, Spirit Halloween and Disney Store have their versions. They’re fine. They’re easy. But if you want to rank in the "best dressed" category at a convention or a party, you’ve gotta go semi-custom.
The cheap polyester jumpsuits often get the colors wrong. Inside Out 2 is a masterclass in texture. Disgust isn't just green; she’s wearing a dress that looks like a high-end silk scarf with a floral pattern. Anger isn't just red; his shirt has a very specific "office drone" weave to it.
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Texture is the Secret Sauce
When the animators at Pixar work on these characters, they talk about "surface shading."
Joy is made of glowing particles. Sadness feels like a soft, woolly sweater. If you’re putting together Inside Out 2 costumes, mixing textures will make you look human-quality rather than "plastic-bag-quality."
- Use a real wool sweater for Sadness. It makes a difference in photos.
- Find a velvet or suede material for Embarrassment’s hoodie to give it weight.
- Use a high-shine satin for Disgust’s neck scarf.
It’s these small touches that separate a "costume" from a "cosplay."
Dealing With the "Puberty" Transition in Costumes
Riley is older now. She's thirteen. The film captures that awkward transition from being a kid to being a "person." This reflects in the "Riley's Hockey Team" costumes that are becoming huge for groups.
Instead of dressing as the emotions, people are dressing as the Foghorns—Riley’s hockey team. It’s a classic sports jersey look: red, white, and black. It’s an easy group costume that identifies you as a fan of the movie without requiring you to paint your entire body purple or orange.
But honestly? People want the emotions. They want the internal chaos.
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Technical Accuracy in Design
One thing most people get wrong about Fear’s costume: it’s not just a houndstooth vest. It’s a very specific diamond-patterned knit. And his bowtie isn't just red; it's a "classic" red that stands out against his lavender skin.
If you are going as Fear, the "wire" hair is the hardest part. You need a single, sturdy piece of floral wire wrapped in purple felt or yarn, attached to a clear headband. It needs to bounce when you walk. That’s the "physics" of the character.
The Cultural Impact of Dressing Like an Emotion
It’s weirdly therapeutic.
Dressing as Anxiety allows people to own that feeling. There’s a reason search volume for "Anxiety Inside Out costume" is 5x higher than for any other character. We are living in an era where we’re finally naming our feelings, and Pixar just gave us a mascot for it.
The "Inside Out" franchise has always been about making the invisible, visible. When you put on that striped shirt or that pink hoodie, you’re participating in a shared visual language.
Practical Steps for Your Next Look
Stop looking at the costume aisle first. Start at a thrift store.
- Step 1: Find the base pieces. A yellow dress for Joy, a turtleneck for Anxiety, a roll-neck for Sadness. Real clothes always look better than costume-shop polyester.
- Step 2: Focus on the "glow." Use body shimmer or iridescent makeup. These characters are literally made of light. You want to look like you’re vibrating slightly.
- Step 3: The hair is the most important part. Whether it’s Joy’s blue pixie cut or Envy’s teal bob, the wig quality will make or break the look. Don't buy the $10 wig. Spend $30 on a heat-resistant synthetic wig and style it with actual hairspray.
The beauty of these characters is their simplicity. They are icons. One color, one main garment, one dominant feeling. Whether you're feeling a little "Ennui" or you're ready to spiral with "Anxiety," there's a silhouette for you.
Go find a striped shirt. Get some orange hair gel. Embrace the chaos of the Riley's mind. Just make sure you tuck the shirt in—Anxiety is many things, but she is definitely a "tucker."