Martin Lewis fans say they haven't used heating since buying £24 product

The Barbie Oodie
-Credit: (Image: Oodie)


As the leaves start to fall and the chill sets in, many families are bracing for rocketing energy bills. It's no wonder, then, that households are on the hunt for cost-effective ways to stay cosy without cranking up the heating.

One top tip from savvy savers is the Oodie - a snuggly sensation that's currently flying off the shelves thanks to a massive end-of-summer sales. For those not in the know, an Oodie is essentially a giant, wearable blanket; think a supersized hooded jumper with a plush fleece lining and a roomy kangaroo pouch.

The trend for these comfy cocoons took off in 2020, with orders from the UK to the Australian brand skyrocketing by over 200%. With the cost of living biting hard, it's no surprise that the appeal of the Oodie has only grown, reports the Manchester Evening News.

On the renowned Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website, one enthusiast extolled the virtues of her snug garment, claiming it's helped her avoid turning on the heat: "Invested in an oversized hoodie blanket to snuggle up in: not used heating since," she shared.

And she's far from alone in her praise. A local mum with two kids said their family Oodies have been a blessing. The items have been keeping them toasty at home and during campervan adventures for years.

"When you want to avoid putting the heating on these are fab," said the mum, who also follows the advice of Martin Lewis. "The kids love theirs and never complain about being cold."

Official Oodies aren't cheap, but there's currently a sale on, with kids' starting from £24 and adults from £39 and the reviews really do speak for themselves. "Soooo comfy I love it," said one customer. "So comfy and nice; soft to the touch. Loving it already and it's not winter yet. Can't wait," said another.

A third described it as 'comfort beyond words', adding: "Whilst it's been bit too warm to wear my gorgeous Oodie, I know [what] to expect and can't wait for the chillier weather when I can put on and be warm and cosy."

In addition to the snuggly interior and the ease at which you can move around in an Oodie, customers appreciate the various designs - from dogs, sloths and other animals, to food-inspired patterns like chicken nuggets and fries and avocados. You can save money with the bundles too, bringing the cost of four children's ones to £109, a saving of £47.

There are loads of popular character themed ones for sale, including Pokemon, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Barbie and Avengers. And if you don't want to splash out on the official Oodies, then other retailers are selling their own versions, including Dunelm, which has a range of oversized hoodies, including a new sausage dog design for £16.

A Money Saving Expert spokesperson said: "Any products mentioned on the MoneySavingExpert site are not endorsements and are purely down to journalistic research from the MSE team and Martin Lewis. In this instance, a wearable blanket was suggested by a member of the MSE Forum."

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