Snuggle time… The best-selling Ony Blanket Hoodie

If Crocs made a coat this would be it. Designed for adults, kids and teens, Ony’s Original Oversized Blanket Hoodie is… well, it’s an oversized blanket hoodie (just call me Hercule Poirot…) but while its name may be pretty self-explanatory, this Herculean hoodie is not.

This jumbo jumper not only packs a super soft (100% polyester) outer flannel fleece, but also an extra-thick inner sherpa fleece – and all in an oversized cut. It makes it perfect for frosty evenings. Think fleece-on-fleece, on fleek. Available in five colourways (cream, blue, pink, grey & black) Ony’s Oversized Blanket Hoodie is a brand best-seller, accumulating thousands of five-star reviews. So far, so predictably snuggly, but why is the world (TikTok) going quite so bonkers for blank-ies? In a word(s): winter. And soaring energy bills.

But are hoodie blankets just a flash in the pan? Or has Ony finally earned its place in the (comfort) haul of fame, like Onesies (2011) and Crocs (2002) before it?

1. Warmth – Ony is the comfiest hoodie blanket I’ve ever shimmied into, nay, the best oversized blanket hoodie I’ve ever snuggled up to. Boy, oh boy is it warm! Like many people, I work from home – and have banned central heating until at least November. As temperatures have dropped over the past few weeks (nice one, weather), I’ve resorted to whipping my dressing gown on and off for Zoom calls (not like that). I’ve stayed in my coat, from school drop off to pick up, and I’m currently writing this wearing two pairs of bed socks! Yup, it’s all fashion, fashion, fashion at casa del Ferg. Then in waddled the blanket hoodie, like a colossal, clothing-shaped cuddle, warming my heart, and my arms. Disclaimer: The blanket hoodie is NOT cool, but it is warm.

2. Washable – ‘Pah! A soft touch teddy fabric can’t be washable!’ you may cry. This one is though. Machine washable at 30ºC. Just don’t tumble dry.

3. Affordable – At £36.99, the Ony is cheaper than competing brands, though it’s still by no means cheap. Having said that, you could try a kids’ one and party like it’s £19.99. Are hoodie blankets worth the money? Though Tik Tok types may hype them up as the smart way to tackle soaring energy prices, they are still a purchase – and whether you feel it’s a necessity or not is between you and your bank balance. What I can say is that it’s certainly helped to keep me warm, as I work from home. Whether I can keep the heating off until December though is still TBC…

Have I shaved thousands of pounds off my energy bills? Um, not yet, but if keeping me warm is Ony’s mission, then it definitely works.

I work from home in mine and – depending on your job – you may be able to too (it’s more a desk-based uniform, less appropriate kit for operating heavy machinery, obvs). It’s also the closest I’ve come to wearing a (synthetic) sheep.

But here’s the thing, blanket hoodies are heavy (who knew). It’s humongous! Sure, it’s snuggle-soft, and yes, it’s multi-use-ish – I’ve worn it on the sofa, at my desk, in bed, er, on my sofa again –  but can I go out in it? Well, technically, yes. but in reality? Hell no. I can’t fit it under my coat, for one thing. But that’s not the point. Hoodie blankets aren’t your run-of-the-mill cosy winter knitwear, nor are they designed to make you look hot – as the name suggests, they’re blankets, with sleeves.

I said similar things about wearing onesies out and about though. And I vowed to NEVER shop Crocs. And – like approx 99.78% of us – I’m slinging on a may-as-well-be-a-duvet puffa coat each time I leave the house… So, if Gucci catapults a hoodie-blanket-clad model down the catwalk and calls it fashun, sure, I’ll be running up and down the road squealing: ‘HURRAH FOR BLANKET HOODIES!’ like the best of them. Until then, it’s wearing it inside that counts.

❌ Less so outdoors – on school run, and in the playground

Yes – for the warm and cosy feels alone. Will I wear it? Yes, I’m wearing it right now. Will I be wearing it out out? Nope. There’s no way my coat would fit over it – did I mention that it’s HUMONGOUS!?

Here’s what my loved ones said:

5 year-old: ‘Mama, what are you wearing?’ 
Me: ‘Erm.’ 
2 year-old bundles in: ‘TEDDY BEAR CUDDLE!’

My Other Half:
Me: ‘So, do you like it?’
My Other Half: 
Me: ‘I’ll get my coat. Oh, hang on…’