Adult pumpkin onesie: the cosy idea for Halloween and all autumn long

The adult pumpkin onesie is the cosy side of Halloween: a one-piece in orange fleece, a pumpkin embroidered on the tummy, and a little monster hood that raises more smiles than screams. Unlike a costume that's forgotten on 1 November, it stays in season until the first cold snap. Here's how to wear it at Halloween and all autumn long, how to choose your size, give it as a gift and keep it soft.

Why pumpkin pyjamas rather than a costume?

The pumpkin has a rare advantage: it's instantly recognisable, with no make-up or props. An orange onesie with an embroidered pumpkin, and nobody asks you what you're supposed to be.

It has a second, less obvious advantage: orange is an autumn colour before it's a Halloween colour. Fallen leaves, squashes at the market, throws and (LED) candles: the Pumpkin Onesie doesn't look out of place in November, whereas a skeleton costume would.

The shop's Pumpkin Onesie is made of orange coral fleece, soft, thick and light, with the word “Pumpkin” embroidered across the chest. Its hood is a shaggy orange monster head with big round eyes and white teeth, which stands up once you pull it on.

Three ways to wear an adult pumpkin onesie

1. On Halloween night

It's the obvious use, and the simplest. The onesie is a costume on its own: for a film night at home, for having friends round or for handing out sweets on the doorstep. A smiling pumpkin is more reassuring to little ones than a realistic mask, especially if you keep your face clearly visible.

To go further with the theme, our article on adult Halloween pyjamas suggests other characters and simple make-up ideas. And if you're looking for a costume for two, the pumpkin makes a great duo with a monster or a shark: see our couples Halloween costume ideas.

2. Autumn family photos

A walk in the woods, a pumpkin-picking trip, an afternoon raking leaves in the garden: the orange onesie stands out against autumn's browns and golds. A few ideas for setting the scene:

• a pile of fallen leaves to flop into;
• a real pumpkin next to you, as a nod to the theme;
• a checked throw and a steaming mug on the doorstep, at the end of the day.

The Pumpkin Onesie only comes in adult sizes. To dress the children in the same spirit, the Family Fleece Onesie comes in kids', women's and men's sizes: the panda, ginger tiger or brown bear round off the photo nicely, each in its own size.

3. Sundays on the sofa

Once the carved pumpkins have been put away, the onesie becomes what it also is: warm loungewear for chilly evenings. For the full programme, our perfect cosy Sunday has the ideas. And if you're torn between a onesie and two-piece pyjamas for winter, we've compared winter pyjama fabrics.

Choosing the right size of pumpkin onesie

The Pumpkin Onesie is unisex, available from S to XXL. So the question of a “women's” or “men's” pumpkin onesie simply comes down to size. Points to keep in mind:

• Take your usual size, and the next size up if you're unsure: that's the rule the product page recommends.
• Think about movement, not just measurements. A one-piece should let you sit on the floor, raise your arms and bend over without pulling at the shoulders.
• Check the leg length. If the legs trail, roll them up or tuck them into slippers (not included): a hem that's too long on a dimly lit staircase is a fall waiting to happen.

Our guide to choosing the right adult onesie size explains the method step by step.

Giving pumpkin pyjamas: a gift idea that makes people smile

For an October birthday, an autumn housewarming or a little gift between friends before Halloween, the Pumpkin Onesie has the advantage of getting a laugh when it's unwrapped and being worn afterwards. Two tips:

• If you don't know their size, check the label of a sweatshirt or pyjamas the person often wears, and size up if in doubt.
• Make the wrapping special: kraft paper, an orange ribbon and a mini pumpkin on top of the parcel.

For more ideas in the same spirit, our selection of funny gifts for adults may inspire you.

Caring for your Pumpkin Onesie so it stays soft

Coral fleece keeps its plushness if you treat it with a little care. The product page says machine wash at 30 °C on a delicate cycle, then air dry. In practice:

1. Turn the onesie inside out and do up the zip before putting it in the machine.
2. Wash it with similar fabrics, without terry towels that shed fluff.
3. Avoid too much fabric softener and the tumble dryer, which can make fleece less soft.
4. Dry it flat or on a wide hanger, with the hood fully unfolded so the monster head keeps its shape.

All our tips are gathered in how to wash and care for fleece pyjamas.

Halloween in fleece: the safety rule

A roomy onesie, a hood and wide sleeves can easily get too close to a flame. On Halloween night, put LED candles in your carved pumpkins instead of real candles: the London Fire Brigade points out that flameless candles are a much safer alternative (London Fire Brigade, Candles). If you do use real candles, never leave them unattended and keep them away from fabrics.

With children at home, an adult carves the pumpkin with the knife, and matches stay out of reach. Our plan for a family Halloween night at home covers the decorations, the meal and the games, with no flames.

In a nutshell

The adult pumpkin onesie is worn on Halloween night, in autumn photos and on every chilly Sunday. Take your usual size (the next one up if you're unsure), wash it at 30 °C on a delicate cycle, and keep it away from flames. The Pumpkin Onesie is a whole theme on its own; to see all the other styles, browse the shop.

Cover photo: Jonathan Talbert / Unsplash