Make Your Own Inside Out 2 Costumes: DIY Ideas for All Ages

Inside Out 2 quickly became one of the most beloved animated films and inspired many fans — including our family — to recreate its colorful characters. We were especially excited by the new emotions introduced in the sequel, so we made easy, wearable Inside Out 2 costumes for Halloween: Anxiety, Envy, and Ennui. Each look relies mostly on everyday clothing you can keep wearing after Halloween, with a few simple DIY touches to capture the characters’ unique styles.

These costumes work well as a trio, or you can add Embarrassment for a family of four. Paired with the original Inside Out characters, they also make a fun group costume or classroom-themed outfit. Below are clear, step-by-step instructions for each costume so you can recreate them at home.

DIY Anxiety Costume

Anxiety is a standout character in Inside Out 2 and her wispy, orange “hair” is the most eye-catching part of the costume. You can recreate it affordably using pipe cleaners and a few craft supplies. The rest of the outfit uses neutral pieces so the hair and stripe details pop.

Supplies

• Cream turtleneck sweater or an orange & white striped sweater (you can paint stripes on a cream sweater)
• Orange fabric paint and paintbrush
• Cardboard or wax paper to protect the inside of the sweater while painting
• Painter’s tape
• Brown corduroy flare pants
• Brown lace-up boots
• Cardboard mailing tube
• Headband or wig clips and ribbon
• Orange iridescent pipe cleaners
• Optional: orange feathers for extra texture
• Hot glue gun and scissors
• Brown belt
• Wood circle and wood ring (or a large button) and gold paint
• Dark brown narrow ribbon and a clip to attach the button to the belt
• Orange temporary hairspray and bobby pins

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Lay the sweater flat and slip cardboard or wax paper between the front and back to prevent paint bleed-through.
2. Use painter’s tape to mark one large orange stripe across the chest, one around the base of the turtleneck, and three stripes on each sleeve. Apply fabric paint in even coats; you may need two coats depending on the fabric.
3. While drying, keep the cardboard inside but gently lift the painted area briefly so it won’t stick to the cardboard. Once dry, flip the sweater and paint the back to match.

4. Cut a 4″ ring from the top of a cardboard mailing tube to form the base for the hairpiece.
5. Hot glue orange pipe cleaners around the ring until it’s fully covered. Add feathers for texture if you like.
6. Curve the pipe cleaners with your fingers to create a wispy, airy look.

7. Decide how to attach the headpiece:
   • Wig clip method: hot glue a wig clip to the front of the hairpiece and add small ribbon loops along the bottom edge to secure with bobby pins.
   • Headband method: glue a felt circle to the bottom of the headpiece, sandwich the headband between the felt and hairpiece, and glue. Use bobby pins for extra stability.

8. Make the belt button: glue a wood ring onto a wood circle (or use a large button), paint it gold, and let dry. Glue two short ribbon pieces in a cross on the front, and attach a clip to the back so it clips to your belt.
9. To finish the costume: tuck the painted sweater into the corduroy pants, fold the turtleneck under so the orange stripe shows, shorten pants with hem tape if desired to better show the boots, fasten the belt and clip on the button. Have someone spray your hair with orange temporary hairspray and attach the headpiece.

DIY Envy Costume

Envy is small, sweet, and a great choice for a child’s costume. Her bright hair and dotted shirt are simple to recreate using fabric paint or iron-on vinyl, and she wears comfortable boots — perfect for cool nights.

Supplies

• Light purple or periwinkle t-shirt or dress
• Neon yellow and white fabric paint, or neon iron-on vinyl if using a cutting machine
• Paintbrushes and a circle stencil (or freehand)
• Cardboard or wax paper to protect the garment while painting
• Magenta leggings and a Peter Pan-style magenta collar (store-bought or sewn)
• Teal boots
• Magenta hair clips and temporary teal hairspray

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Lay the shirt or dress flat and place cardboard between the layers to prevent bleed-through.
2. Use a circle stencil to paint neon yellow dots all over the shirt. Mix neon yellow with a touch of white for a glowing, lighter yellow if desired. Apply multiple thin coats, allowing each to dry before the next. If using iron-on vinyl, follow the vinyl instructions instead of painting.
3. Before the paint fully cures, briefly lift the painted area from the cardboard to prevent sticking. Allow the paint to dry completely.
4. Paint or attach the magenta Peter Pan collar and assemble the outfit: shirt or dress, magenta leggings, and teal boots.
5. Cover the outfit with a towel and carefully spray hair with temporary teal hairspray. Add magenta clips, one on each side, to complete Envy’s look.

DIY Ennui Costume

Ennui is essentially relaxed casualwear, which makes this an easy and comfortable costume. A navy sweatsuit paired with oversized socks worn over shoes and a purple phone case gives the perfect bored, unimpressed vibe.

Supplies

• Navy sweatshirt and matching navy joggers
• Optional: blue knit fabric to add brighter blue cuffs
• Needle and thread or fabric glue
• Purple wig and blue glitter hairspray
• White tennis shoes and very large white socks with gray toes (to wear over the shoes)
• Puffy paint or hot glue for non-slip dots on the socks (optional)
• Purple phone case as a prop

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. If you want brighter blue cuffs like Ennui, cut fabric strips the length of each cuff plus seam allowance, sew or glue the ends to form loops, slip them over the existing cuffs, fold and stitch the top edge for a neat finish.
2. Add non-slip dots to the soles of the large socks with puffy paint or hot glue and let them dry completely.
3. To assemble: spray the purple wig with blue glitter, put on the sweatsuit, lace the white shoes and slip the oversized socks over them, tucking the sock tops under the joggers. Finish with the purple phone case as a prop.

Embarrassment Costume

Embarrassment is the simplest costume. We dressed our dog in a purple hoodie, but you can easily create a human version with a purple hoodie, purple pants, and red sneakers.

Supplies

• Purple dog hoodie (for a pet) or purple adult hoodie
• Purple pants
• Red sneakers

Just assemble the pieces and your pet or person is costume-ready — quick, comfortable, and recognizable.

Inside Out 2 Costume Ideas for Groups

If you have a larger group, Inside Out 2 offers lots of costume possibilities. Mix and match the new emotions with the original characters to make a memorable ensemble.

• Create the original Inside Out emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust
• Make a Bing Bong costume using a suit and a few signature accessories
• Use a unicorn costume to represent Rainbow Unicorn
• A rainbow-striped sweater plus jeans makes a quick Riley outfit
• Two-tone teal face paint on friends can mimic Riley’s parents at a game

More Disney Costume Ideas

If you want additional Disney-inspired costumes, consider recreating classic characters or family looks. These ideas range from simple to more detailed, offering options for kids, adults, and groups.

• DIY family Cinderella costume
• Lock, Shock, and Barrel group costume
• Classic family Disney costume ideas
• Haunted Mansion–inspired outfits
• Mickey and Minnie family costumes

Disney characters are endlessly recognizable and fun to recreate. If Inside Out 2 was a favorite in your household this year, these Emotion costumes are a playful way to celebrate the film on Halloween or at a themed event. Have fun embracing each character’s personality — and happy Halloween!