WITH temperatures dropping and heating costs rising, an oversized hooded blanket should be an essential item of loungewear this autumn and winter. It’s not the warmest one we tried (think late autumn chills rather than depths-of-winter, below-freezing temperatures) but we’d probably say this was the most practical, while this pale pink colour we chose (prettier in real life than our phone camera could capture) is about as ‘feminine’ as one of these items could get.

Oversized Hoodie Blanket - Etsy UK Oversized Hoodie Blanket - Etsy UK

It plugs into the wall like a traditional heated throw, with a remote to control the power, heat intensity and amount of time it stays on for. And it also has an auto-shut-off function. Blanket hoodies (or hooded blankets) are basically a large jumper with a hood that doubles up as a blanket or, in more simple terms, they're oversized hoodies. They're not only functional (keeping you super warm) but they can be stylish and cosy too. Blanket hoodies are a versatile garment for your wardrobe and they're perfect for lounging on the sofa, wearing after a gym session, taking on a camping trip or keeping the wind chill off at the beach. What material is best for a blanket hoodie? It comes in just one colour, ivory, in keeping with The White Company’s typical neutral palette – very Cameron Diaz in The Holiday, we feel.Size: One size Material: Fleece exterior, sherpa fleece interior No. of designs: 15 Where to buy hooded blankets in the UK There are a few different styles – and prices – on the market, but the hoodies from specialist retailers like Oodie, Kudd.ly, Onesnug and Snuggly are all very similar, if we’re being honest. There is a lot of debate on the Mumsnet forums about how to keep warm this winter, and blanket hoodies have been a popular point of discussion. Today’s hooded blankets are a world away from embarrassingly old, greying loungewear you wouldn’t be seen dead in. We did try hooded blankets that kept us slightly warmer, but thanks to Onesnug’s ‘MicroCool’ fabric, this won’t leave you feeling uncomfortably hot and sweaty.

hooded blankets for 2023 for staying warm - The Sun 11 best hooded blankets for 2023 for staying warm - The Sun

We did find this one to be ever so slightly looser around the bottom, letting the odd autumnal draft in – but on the plus side Snuggly says theirs can be tumble dried on a low heat, unlike Oodie’s. This hoodie is, of course, oversized, but not so big around the hood or sleeves that you can’t see, eat or type – we could comfortably wear this at our WFH desk or walking around the house without it getting in the way.

What is a blanket hoodie?

Thanks to their abilities to keep you nice and toasty, they can also save you money on your heating bills – along with other solutions like draught excluders, many Mumsnet users have found them to be invaluable when faced with the cost of living crisis and increased energy bills. It’s definitely one for wearing while cosying up on the sofa rather than when trying to get anything productive done, as its size and weight make it a little cumbersome, and the large hood often falls over the eyes – great for napping, not so great for WFH.

FRIENDS Hoodie for Girls Teens, Fleece Oversized Hoodie

Long and luxurious, we love this one’s teddy fabric, which is very lightweight and soft as air but surprisingly very warm and toasty, and we like that this one comes in multiple sizes. The shorter, boxy style means that it does flap around a bit, so one for when you plan on doing absolutely nothing except relaxing. More of a poncho than a hoodie, this has short sleeves and open sides that can be popped together at a couple of points for a slightly snugglier fit. It comes in five colours and two sizes for both men and women, with a version for children also available.Extra large, extra warm and extra snuggly, Kudd.ly’s hoodie is like wearing a bear hug and is so big you’ll be able to curl your entire body up inside. For us, though, Oodie just takes the top spot for keeping the body at the perfect temperature and for its vast range of designs and viral fame. Are hooded blankets worth it? Longer than most, cushiony soft and cosy without being too bulky, this one from UK-made brand Onesnug gets a big thumbs up from us.