With a dramatic plunge in temperatures and a deep freeze taking hold of the country, most of us are dragging out our thickest wooly jumpers and layering up.
Southern England has been coated in snow, while temperatures fell to as low -15.7C causing travel chaos.
The arctic blast comes as millions will struggle to afford to heat their homes as the winter energy and cost of living crisis deepens.
As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, save on your energy bills this winter by turning the thermostat down and cuddling up in this season’s must-have fluffy fleece. Siobhan McNally braved the polyester static to find the perfect oversized hoodie blanket…
Teddy Fleece Adults’ Hooded Blanket, £25, Marks & Spencer
If I were shaped like a rectangle, this light, fluffy fleece would fit perfectly. As it is, it’s a bit short on the thighs and arms and the hood is tight, so it’s best to size up.
The style is drapey rather than bulky, which means it’s not a trip hazard and there’s less chance of strangling yourself on a door handle. The short sleeves are ideal for wearing around the house if you’re WFH or cooking in the kitchen. Comes in muted luxe colours of grey and cream and navy, and also kids’ sizes.
VERDICT 4/5 – Good for families
Silentnight Snugsie Wearable Blanket, £17.99, Wayfair
Once I’d finished wafting around the house pretending to be Gandalf The Grey, I popped my arms through the sleeves and plonked myself on the sofa. It’s thinner material than the others, and looks a bit like a shroud in the silver grey colour, but it’s also available in charcoal and blush pink colours.
There’s a handy foot pouch to tuck your feet in, but don’t forget to take them out when you get up to put the kettle on, or you’ll faceplant the carpet.
VERDICT 3/5 – Good value for couch potatoes
Plush Pink Blanket Hoodie, £32.95 (down from £72.99), Snuggly Bear
You could camp out in the Arctic in this giant pink meringue-shaped hoodie. As the brand name suggests, it is a bit like snuggling a big teddy bear.
The soft luxury brushed fleece is also available in blue and manly grey, and comes gift-wrapped in a big bow and free Snuggly water bottle pouch.
You certainly get all the quality of the pricey Oodie brand at a third of the price, but I could find myself overheating at my menopausal time of life.
VERDICT 4/5 – Good for those who feel the cold
Patterned Fleece Snuddie, £16, Primark
When Primark gets it right, it’s a high street hit. And their hoodie is designed for humans rather than kangaroos with side pockets rather than a front pouch, and it’s a nice shape to wear, rather than making you look like a giant flump.
I rocked the giant pink flowers but there’s lots of food-themed prints from pizzas, avos with chips and dips, donuts, and kids’ versions cost just £12.
Feels like it might not wash as well as the more expensive hoodies, but for the price and zippy range of patterns and colours, I’m a big fan.
VERDICT 5/5 – Good for early Christmas presents
Tickled Pink Heart Print Snuggie Hoodie, £18, George at Asda
This is a great fleece for the price and my main complaint is the insipid pink colour which looks like a red sock got put in the white wash.
The material has the softest, brushed fleece feel of them all, and it’s nice and long and stretches down to the knees. The ribbed fitted cuffs keep the draughts out and mean wearers are less likely to knock their glass of wine than bulky or wafty sleeves.
Gets an extra point for containing recycled polyester and donating 10% to breast cancer charities.
VERDICT 4/5 – Good all-rounder
Nightbex Original Blanket Hoodie, £27.99, Amazon
I had trouble reviewing this one because it disappeared into my teenage daughter Jesse’s room as soon as it arrived.
Thick and warm yet lightweight, it’s almost the perfect hoodie except the brushed fleece is a bit shiny for my taste – like the old Quality Street wrappers.
It also comes in charcoal colour, but only one size to fit all, which means 6ft-tall men might find it a bit short, and children would disappear inside, like robed Jawas from Star Wars.
Mind you, it has an extra large front pocket which is roomy enough to carry some of the smaller members of the family.
VERDICT 5/5 – Good for average-sized people
Teddy Oversized Blanket Hoodie, £18, Dunelm
If bears didn’t have their own fur, they’d be buying this massive, fluffy black hoodie. It’s big enough to cover all shapes and sizes, and also easy to slip on over day clothes when you come in the door.
It also comes in green, but the black is handy for hiding stains from late-night snacking on the sofa. However it’s a bit on the thin side compared to the others, and also nearly electrocuted me with the static.
VERDICT 3/5 – Good for bears and big blokes
Charcoal Borg Hooded Blanket, £22, Tu Clothing, Sainsbury’s
This big, fluffy, roomy hoodie fits over clothes and ticks most of the boxes for blokes who WFH or spend a lot of time in the man cave. But the main problem is it doesn’t have any pockets.
How’s a chap to hog the remote if he can’t take it with him when he goes to the loo?
Lack of pockets is a perennial problem for women, so I’m pleased to see the gender gap being closed – but it just means nobody gets them. I’m not sure this is progress.
VERDICT 3/5 – Good for men who don’t hog the remote
JML Snuggie Wearable Fleece Blanket with Sleeves, £14.99, Robert Dyas
This blanket is designed to be slipped over the front of you, like a hospital gown, which feels a bit strange. You can wear it the other way, but that defeats the object of keeping all the chilly draughts out.
I can see it being a very handy blanket for older people who might sit for long periods of time on the sofa, as it’s big enough to tuck under bottoms and cover up feet.
The traditional plaid pattern reminds me of my granny’s old travel and picnic rug, but you get what you pay for as the material feels a bit plasticky.
VERDICT 3/5 – Good for less mobile readers
Thank you to SCS Furniture, Hedge End, Southampton.
