He’s short. He’s red. He’s perpetually on the verge of a literal meltdown. If you’ve spent any time looking for a costume that perfectly captures the collective mood of, well, almost everyone lately, an Anger Inside Out costume is basically the holy grail. It’s not just about wearing a red mask or some face paint; it’s about the vibe. When Pixar released the first Inside Out in 2015, we all met Lewis Black’s iconic character and realized he’s the most relatable guy in the HeadQuarters. Now, with Inside Out 2 introducing even more complex emotions like Anxiety and Ennui, the classic Anger look has actually become more popular because it’s so distinct and, honestly, pretty easy to pull off compared to a shimmering purple Joy or a glammed-up Disgust.
Making the Anger Inside Out Costume Look Authentic
Most people get it wrong. They think you just throw on a red shirt and call it a day, but the devil is in the details of that "business casual" frustration. Anger wears a very specific outfit: a white short-sleeved dress shirt, a zig-zag patterned tie, and brown trousers. It’s the outfit of a guy who’s been stuck in a cubicle for twelve hours and just found out the vending machine is out of Snickers.
To make it work, you need the tie. That tie is non-negotiable. It’s a red and grey/brown chevron pattern. If you’re DIY-ing it, you can take a plain red tie and use fabric markers to draw the zig-zags. It doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, if it looks a little frantic, it fits the character better. For the headpiece, you’ve got options. Some people go for the full plush head, which is great for kids but can get incredibly hot at a party. A better move for adults is red face paint and a temporary red hair spray. If you really want to commit, you can use LED lights or orange tissue paper coming out of the top of your head to simulate the "flame" that erupts when Riley’s fuse finally blows.
Why the Fit Matters More Than the Mask
Think about the silhouette. Anger is a brick. He’s a literal rectangle. If you’re a taller person, you can still pull this off, but you might want to look for a shirt that’s a bit boxy. The "Inside Out" character designers, including Ralph Eggleston, specifically chose these geometric shapes to represent the core emotions. Joy is a star, Sadness is a teardrop, and Anger is a square. To mimic that, some high-end cosplayers actually use foam padding under their shirt to create a more rectangular chest. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s what separates a "guy in a tie" from the actual embodiment of fury.
The Evolution of the Look in Inside Out 2
With the sequel hitting theaters, we saw a slight shift in how the emotions interact, but Anger’s core aesthetic stayed remarkably consistent. Why? Because you can’t improve on a classic. However, if you’re doing a group costume, the Anger Inside Out costume acts as the anchor. While the newer characters like Anxiety are all frantic energy and messy hair, Anger is the stable, simmering resentment.
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Actually, the "fame" of this costume comes from how well it works in pairs. Pair an Anger with a Joy. It’s the ultimate contrast. You’ve got one person running around with blue hair and yellow skin being relentlessy positive, and the other person just standing there with their arms crossed looking like they’re about to explode. It’s a low-effort comedy goldmine.
DIY vs. Store-Bought: What’s Actually Worth It?
Let’s talk money. You can go to a big-box retailer and buy a polyester jumpsuit version of this. It’ll cost you about $40. It’ll also be itchy, thin, and the "flame" on the head will probably look like a wilted piece of felt.
Honestly, the DIY route is superior here for three reasons:
- Comfort. You’re wearing a real cotton shirt and real pants.
- Reusability. You can wear the shirt and pants again. Maybe not the tie, unless you have a very specific sense of style.
- Accuracy. Store-bought costumes usually miss the texture of Anger’s skin, which is supposed to look like a red brick or a fuzzy felt.
If you go the DIY route, find a heavy-duty red face paint—something like Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ. It stays on, it’s vibrant, and it won't crack when you start yelling "No dessert?! Are you kidding me?!" which is a line you will definitely have to say at least fifty times.
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The Small Details People Forget
Don't forget the shoes. Anger wears simple black or dark brown dress shoes. Nothing flashy. He’s a man of the people. Also, consider the eyebrows. Anger’s eyebrows are his most expressive feature. They are thick, black, and slanted downward. If you are doing face paint, spend the most time on those brows. They define the entire look. If your eyebrows are flat, you just look like a red guy. If they are angled sharply toward your nose, you look like you’re ready to punch a hole through the console.
Handling the "Flame" Effect
This is the trickiest part of any Anger Inside Out costume. How do you make your head look like it’s on fire without, you know, setting yourself on fire?
- The Tulle Method: Get some orange and red tulle. Bunch it up and pin it to a headband or the top of a red beanie. It’s lightweight and catches the light well.
- The LED Hack: If you’re going to a night party, tuck a small battery-operated fairy light string (orange) into the tulle. It gives that glowing "core memory" heat.
- The Hair Gel Route: If you have short hair, use some heavy-duty spiking gel and red/orange temporary spray. It won't look exactly like a flame, but it gives the right energy.
Group Costume Dynamics
If you’re doing the whole squad from Riley’s head, someone has to be Anger. Usually, it’s the person in the friend group who has the shortest fuse or the best deadpan humor. It’s a great role because you don't have to smile for photos. In fact, you shouldn't. Every photo should be you looking mildly inconvenienced or absolutely livid.
For those looking at Inside Out 2 specifically, adding the new emotions changes the dynamic. If you have an Anxiety costume in the group, Anger should be reacting to them. In the movie, Anger is often the one trying to keep things grounded when the newer, more frantic emotions take over.
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Real-World Practicality
Let's be real for a second. Wearing a full-face of red paint is a commitment. You can't touch your face. You can't easily eat a burger. If you're going to a house party, you're going to leave red smudges on someone's white couch. If that sounds like too much work, go for the "Human Version" of the costume. Just wear the clothes, get the tie perfect, and maybe just do a little red eyeshadow or a red hat. People will still get it because the shirt and tie combo is so iconic.
Actually, the "low-key" Anger is a favorite for office parties. It’s professional enough that you won't get sent to HR, but recognizable enough that your coworkers will realize you’re referencing the movie. Plus, it’s a great excuse to be grumpy about that 2:00 PM meeting.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Build
If you're ready to put this together, don't wait until October 30th. Start hitting the thrift stores now for that specific brown pair of trousers.
- Source the Tie First: This is the hardest part to find. Look on sites like Etsy for "Inside Out Anger Tie" or just search for red chevron neckties.
- Test Your Makeup: Do a patch test. Red pigment can sometimes stain the skin more than other colors. Use a good primer underneath.
- Practice the Scowl: Go to a mirror. Work on the "downward V" of the eyebrows. It's the character's signature.
- Get the Shirt Size Right: Go one size up for that "boxy" brick look. Tuck it in tight to emphasize the square shape of the torso.
The beauty of the Anger Inside Out costume is that it’s timeless. As long as people have feelings—and as long as Pixar keeps making us cry in theaters—this costume will be a hit. It’s a fun, slightly aggressive way to show your love for one of the best animated franchises of the last decade without having to deal with the sparkles of Joy or the gloom of Sadness. Just make sure you stay hydrated; being that angry is exhausting.
Key Takeaways for Your Costume
- Focus on the boxy silhouette to mimic the "brick" shape of the character.
- The red and grey zig-zag tie is the most important visual cue.
- Use high-quality face paint and focus heavily on the downward-slanted eyebrows for the right expression.
- For a group theme, ensure Anger looks "solid" and "grumpy" compared to the more fluid shapes of Joy or Anxiety.
- Consider the LED/Tulle trick for a glowing head flame if you’re attending a nighttime event.