How to Capture the Essence of Fear: Cosplay Guide for Inside Out 2

Fear, the constantly jittery and anxious character from Inside Out 2, is the embodiment of our natural instinct to worry. With his wide eyes, nervous posture, and quirky style, cosplaying Fear is a fun way to bring humor and energy to your next event. Whether you’re crafting the costume from scratch or pulling pieces together from pre-made items, this guide will help you create the perfect Fear cosplay. From his purple skin tone to his distinct outfit, here’s everything you need to know to transform into this lovable bundle of nerves!

Costume Components Outfit Overview

Fear’s outfit is as distinct as his personality, with its quirky combination of patterns and colors. His neat and formal appearance contrasts with his constantly anxious demeanor, making him a visually memorable character. To capture Fear’s essence, focus on key elements like his checkered vest, high-waisted pants, and signature bow tie.

Shirt and Vest

Fear’s classic look includes a light blue or pale lavender button-up shirt under a black-and-white checkered or argyle-patterned vest.

• Shirt: Look for a long-sleeve, light-colored button-up shirt. A pale lavender or light blue shirt works perfectly to match Fear’s color palette.

• Vest: The vest is one of Fear’s defining pieces. A checkered or argyle sweater vest in black and white is ideal. If you can’t find an exact match, you can DIY it using fabric paints or buying a plain vest and adding the pattern yourself.

DIY Tips: You can create an argyle pattern on a plain vest by using fabric markers or iron-on patches. If you’re handy with sewing, you can also make the vest from scratch with a pattern.

Bow Tie

Fear’s purple bow tie adds a pop of color and further emphasizes his anxious, formal appearance.

• Bow Tie: A small, purple or lavender bow tie is perfect for matching the character’s overall color scheme. It should be neat and tidy, just like Fear’s personality.

DIY Tips: You can easily find a pre-made bow tie, or if you prefer a DIY approach, make one using fabric and a simple bow tie pattern.

Pants

Fear’s pants are high-waisted and fitted, which adds to his lanky, nervous look.

1. Pants: Look for slim-fit, high-waisted pants in purple or dark gray. These should have a slightly formal appearance to match the rest of his attire.

2. Footwear: Finish off the outfit with black dress shoes or loafers, keeping the footwear simple and in line with Fear’s clean-cut style.

Accessories

Fear wears thin, white gloves, which add a cartoonish, exaggerated look to his hands.

• White Gloves: Find a pair of thin white costume gloves that fit snugly. These are easy to find in costume stores or online, especially around Halloween.

DIY Tips: If you can’t find the right gloves, you can make them from white fabric by cutting and sewing simple glove patterns.

Nose and Ears

Fear’s exaggerated nose and ears give him a distinctly animated look.

• Fake Nose: To mimic Fear’s long, pointy nose, you can use a prosthetic nose attachment or apply makeup to create the illusion of a longer nose. If you’re skilled with latex or silicone prosthetics, you can create a custom piece.

• Ears: Fear’s ears are slightly exaggerated. You can enhance your ears with subtle prosthetics or use makeup and contouring to add definition to the ears and face.

DIY Tips: If you prefer not to use prosthetics, use makeup to contour your nose and ears to give the appearance of exaggerated features.

Props (Optional)

Fear is often seen nervously holding items like a clipboard or notebook.

• Clipboard or Notebook: Carrying a clipboard or notebook can add humor and interactivity to your cosplay. These props can also help you stay in character as the constantly worrying, cautious Fear.

Makeup and Body Paint

Fear’s purple skin tone is one of the most recognizable aspects of his character. To achieve this, use high-quality body paint to cover your face, neck, and hands.

• Body Paint: Use a light purple or lavender body paint to mimic Fear’s skin. Apply the paint evenly across all exposed skin areas, including the face, neck, and hands. Make sure to use non-toxic, long-lasting body paint that can withstand a full day at an event.

• Setting the Paint: Use a setting spray or translucent powder to keep the paint from smudging throughout the day.

Alternative: If you don’t want to use full-body paint, you can opt for purple gloves and wear a turtleneck or similar clothing to minimize the amount of skin that needs to be painted.

Exaggerated Expressions

Fear’s face is all about exaggerated, nervous expressions. To match this, focus on creating wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and a constantly worried look.

1. Makeup Techniques: Use eyeliner and mascara to emphasize your eyes, giving them a wider, more cartoonish appearance. You can also use white eyeliner on your waterline to make your eyes look larger.

2. Eyebrows: Fear’s eyebrows are often raised in worry. Darken your brows with makeup and draw them higher than your natural brow line to match his wide-eyed look.

Cosplay Contacts

Fear’s wide, expressive eyes are a key part of his look. While not essential, colored contacts can enhance the cartoonish, animated effect of the cosplay.

• Eye Color: Use white or light-colored contacts to make your eyes look larger and more animated. These contacts can give your cosplay a more exaggerated and expressive look.

• Contacts Tips: Make sure to choose comfortable, high-quality contacts that are safe for extended wear. Always follow instructions for wearing and caring for your contacts, especially during long events.

Props

Clipboard or Notebook

Adding a prop can enhance the character’s anxious, prepared-for-everything vibe. Fear is often seen clutching items like a clipboard or notebook.

• DIY Tips: Create a simple clipboard or notebook by using lightweight materials like cardboard or foam. Decorate it with humorous "danger lists" or notes to match Fear’s cautious nature.

Poses and Characterization

Fear’s nervous energy is what makes him such a standout character. To truly capture his essence, practice his exaggerated body language and constantly worried expressions.

• Key Poses: Hold your hands up in shock, cower slightly, or nervously clutch your clipboard or bow tie. Wide-eyed stares and over-the-top facial expressions will help sell the character.

• Voice and Expressions: Fear speaks in a fast-paced, nervous tone. Practice delivering lines with a jittery, panicked cadence. Overreacting to imaginary dangers or acting as if everything around you is a potential threat can add a humorous touch to your cosplay.

Buying vs. DIY

If you’re short on time, you can find pre-made Fear costumes or individual pieces online. Look for checkered vests, purple bow ties, and white gloves in costume stores.

• Enhancement Tips: If you buy a pre-made costume, add personal touches like body paint or makeup to give it a more polished and detailed look.

DIY Costume Ideas

For a more personalized and budget-friendly option, you can create your own Fear costume by assembling key pieces.

• Vest: Find or make a checkered vest using a simple pattern.

• Pants and Shirt: High-waisted pants and a light-colored button-up shirt can be found at thrift stores or in your own wardrobe.

• Accessories: DIY the purple bow tie, white gloves, and prosthetic nose to add character.

Final Tips for a Successful Cosplay

CosplayComfort and Practicality

Cosplaying as Fear involves wearing makeup and, in many cases, body paint, so comfort is key. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth experience:

• Body Paint: Use a setting spray to keep your paint in place throughout the day, and carry extra paint for touch-ups.

• Comfortable Clothing: Make sure your vest, shirt, and pants fit comfortably and allow you to move freely—especially important when embodying Fear’s jumpy, nervous energy.

Cosplaying as Fear from Inside Out 2 is a fun and creative way to embody a unique and lovable character. From his quirky checkered vest and bow tie to his expressive makeup and body paint, Fear’s cosplay allows you to explore a mix of humor and anxiety in a playful way. By focusing on his signature look, exaggerated expressions, and jittery personality, you’ll be able to capture the true essence of Fear and stand out at any cosplay event!