Anxiety Cosplay Guide (Inside Out 2)

Character Overview: The Emotion of Worry

In Inside Out 2, Anxiety is introduced as one of the newest emotions within Riley’s mind, embodying the feelings of worry, fear, and uncertainty. As a natural response to stressful situations, Anxiety’s role is to help Riley avoid potential dangers by keeping her on edge. However, this constant state of unease means that Anxiety often gets overwhelmed by the smallest worries, embodying the complexities of navigating daily life filled with uncertainty.

Anxiety stands in stark contrast to emotions like Joy or Sadness, yet she plays a vital role in Riley’s emotional balance. While she may seem more passive compared to the more outwardly expressive emotions, her energy is quiet yet constant, always present in the background, reminding Riley to take care and be cautious. Cosplaying as Anxiety is not just about recreating her visual look; it’s about embodying her delicate nature and constant worry. This guide will help you bring Anxiety’s distinctive style and anxious energy to life.

Key Visuals: Iconic Features of Anxiety

Anxiety’s design is softer and more subdued compared to other emotions like Joy or Disgust, reflecting her quiet, cautious nature. However, her look is still unique, marked by certain features that stand out:

• Outfit: Anxiety wears a cozy, oversized sweater that highlights her need for comfort and safety. Her color palette features soft pastels or muted tones, in contrast to the vibrant outfits of other emotions. The sweater looks a bit rumpled, emphasizing her nervous, anxious energy.

• Facial Expression: Anxiety’s face often conveys a sense of nervousness, concern, or apprehension. She is constantly on edge, with her wide eyes and furrowed brows reflecting her internal struggle.

• Hair: Anxiety’s light brown hair is styled messily, adding to her disheveled, anxious appearance. The hair reflects her tendency to be a little “all over the place,” as she’s perpetually caught in a state of worry.

These visual elements combine to create a character who embodies the vulnerability and nervousness that come with living in a world full of potential fears and unknowns.

Costume Breakdown: Cozy, Comfortable, and Reflective of Anxiety

Anxiety’s outfit is both simple and comforting, designed to make her appear more reserved and introverted. The key elements of her look are the oversized sweater, comfortable pants, and soft color palette. Let’s break down the costume:

Sweater

Anxiety’s oversized sweater is the focal point of her look. It’s cozy, comforting, and perfectly represents her desire to feel safe and protected. The sweater’s style is modest, and its slightly rumpled look adds to the character’s anxious energy.

For the sweater material, opt for soft cotton or wool blends. You want something that feels comfortable and warm, but also allows for movement. The sweater should be loose and oversized, with longer sleeves that emphasize her desire to hide away in comfort.

Tip: Look for a sweater in a soft pastel or neutral color like light blue, grey, or beige. These colors are not only soothing but also reflect Anxiety’s more reserved and cautious nature.

Pants

Anxiety’s pants are simple and understated, often in a neutral tone like grey, beige, or muted blue. They are comfortable, relaxed pants that match her soft and reserved style. They should be loose-fitting to reflect her tendency to avoid tight or restrictive clothing, as she seeks comfort over style.

For the pants, look for leggings, sweatpants, or wide-leg pants made from cotton or a stretchy material. The idea is to keep it simple and comfortable while maintaining the casual, cozy vibe of Anxiety.

Tip: Make sure the pants are long enough to complement the oversized sweater. The goal is to create a soft, relaxed silhouette.

Shoes

Anxiety’s shoes are simple, comfortable, and unassuming. She is often depicted wearing plain sneakers or slip-ons, which perfectly fit her low-key and cautious nature.

Look for a pair of simple, comfortable sneakers in neutral colors, such as white, grey, or beige. Avoid anything too flashy or attention-grabbing—Anxiety’s shoes should reflect her desire for practicality and ease.

Tip: Choose sneakers or slip-ons with soft soles, ensuring comfort while you cosplay. Stick to neutral shades to keep the look understated and grounded.

Hair, Makeup & Nails: Embracing Anxiety’s Subtle Look

Anxiety’s hair, makeup, and nails are simple and natural, reflecting her soft, anxious energy. Her appearance is understated, with an emphasis on making her look approachable and vulnerable. Here’s how to achieve Anxiety’s signature look:

1. Hair

Anxiety’s light brown hair is styled in a messy, tousled way, reflecting her constant state of unease. The hair is not sleek or polished but rather a bit frizzy, as if she’s too preoccupied with her worries to maintain it perfectly.

• Style: You can style your own hair in loose waves or curls with a bit of frizz, or use a light brown wig to match Anxiety’s look. The key is to make the hair appear natural and a little messy, not neat or controlled.
• Tip: Use a light texturizing spray to add volume and create that slightly messy, tousled look. If you’re using a wig, consider a layered style that can easily be “fluffed” for a more natural appearance.

2. Makeup

Anxiety’s makeup is natural and fresh, keeping her youthful look intact. The goal is to keep things simple, with just enough makeup to highlight her features without overshadowing her vulnerable personality.

• Base: Apply a light foundation or BB cream to create a fresh and dewy complexion. Anxiety’s look is all about natural beauty, so keep the skin light and glowing.
• Eyes: For the eyes, use neutral tones like light browns or soft taupes for eyeshadow. You can apply a subtle line of eyeliner to accentuate the eyes, but avoid anything too dramatic. A coat of mascara will help open up the eyes, but keep it soft and natural.
• Brows: Anxiety’s brows are soft and gentle, so avoid overly defined or harsh shapes. Use a brow pencil or powder to fill in sparse areas, creating a natural, relaxed look.
• Lips: Choose a natural lip color like soft pink or nude. Avoid bold lipsticks; instead, opt for a gloss or balm to keep the look subtle and fresh.

3. Nails

Anxiety’s nails are neat but understated. They reflect her personality by being simple and soft. Go for neutral nail colors like light pink, beige, or pale lavender to match her overall look.

Tip: Avoid bold nail designs. Instead, keep the nails clean and polished, with a soft, subtle color. A light, neutral polish works best for the look.

Materials List

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to put together your Anxiety cosplay:

• Oversized cozy sweater (cotton or wool blend)

• Neutral, comfortable pants (gray, beige, or muted blue)

• Simple sneakers or slip-on shoes (white, gray, or beige)

• Light brown hair wig (or style your natural hair)

• Light foundation or BB cream

• Neutral eyeshadow, light eyeliner, and mascara

• Soft pink or nude lipstick

• Neutral nail polish (pink, beige, or lavender)

Skill Level & Tips

Anxiety’s cosplay is beginner-friendly, especially if you are comfortable with simple sewing or modifying pre-made clothing. The most intricate elements are styling the hair and makeup, but both are relatively simple. If you’re not familiar with styling wigs, consider buying a pre-styled one to save time.

Tips:

• Sweater & Pants: If you’re making the sweater and pants, focus on comfort and simplicity. Anxiety’s clothing should be relaxed and oversized to reflect her need for comfort.

• Hair: Whether using a wig or styling your own hair, make sure it’s messy and unkempt to match Anxiety’s natural, slightly frizzy look.

• Makeup: Keep the makeup fresh and natural, using soft colors that enhance Anxiety’s calm and vulnerable energy.

• Nails: Keep the nails clean and simple with a soft, neutral color.

Attitude & Poses: Embodying Anxiety’s Energy

Anxiety’s character is all about nervousness, unease, and cautious energy. When posing as Anxiety, focus on embodying her subtle worry and vulnerability. Here are some tips for posing like Anxiety:

• Classic Pose: Stand with your arms crossed or hugging yourself, reflecting her need to comfort and protect herself. Your posture should be defensive and closed-off, as though you’re trying to retreat into your own space.

• Nervous Pose: Anxiety’s nervous energy can be shown by wringing your hands or clasping them in front of you. Alternatively, you can place your hands on your face or cover your mouth, showing her tendency to react with fear.

• Defensive Pose: Another way to portray Anxiety is by holding your arms up slightly, as if shielding yourself from an unknown threat or situation.

Group Cosplay Potential: A Team of Emotions

Anxiety makes an excellent addition to an Inside Out 2 group cosplay. Pairing her with other emotions like Joy, Sadness, or Fear will give you a complete and relatable emotional spectrum. Each character has a distinct look and personality, so creating a full group will highlight the contrasting emotions that work together to shape Riley’s experiences.

With this Anxiety cosplay guide, you’re ready to bring this complex and relatable emotion to life. Whether you’re cosplaying solo or as part of a group, this guide will help you capture Anxiety’s gentle vulnerability, constant worry, and unique appearance. Embrace her character and embody the nervous, protective side of Riley’s emotional team.