Pokémon Umbreon

Most Pokémon evolve by leveling up or touching a stone. Umbreon is different. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, back in 1999, an Eevee that trusted its trainer enough would evolve at night into a sleek black fox-cat with glowing yellow rings on its ears, legs and tail. It's been a fan favorite ever since, the moody, mysterious one of the Eevee family, and in the last few years its trading cards have become some of the most wanted in the whole hobby. With Pokémon celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Umbreon is a great pick for a kid who wants something a little darker than Pikachu but still very cute. HalloweenCostumes.com sells a Deluxe Pokémon Umbreon Costume for Kids by Disguise Limited for $49.99 to $69.99.

That's a mid-range price for a licensed Pokémon costume, and it comes with something most don't: an inflatable tail.

There's a catch, though. The Umbreon costume has no reviews yet, and neither does its sister costume, the Deluxe Espeon. So this review covers what's in the bag, how the sizes work, what the Q&As say and what parents have said about a similar Eevee costume from the same brand.

What's in the bag

The Umbreon costume (item DI157829) is officially licensed and a HalloweenCostumes.com exclusive. It includes two pieces: a hooded jumpsuit and an inflatable tail. It's made of 100% polyester with 100% polyurethane foam.

The jumpsuit is minky, a soft, plush fabric that feels a bit like a stuffed animal. It closes with hook-and-loop down the center front, which makes it easy for kids to get in and out of on their own. There's an elastic back waistband and elastic at the ankles, so it fits close at the bottom without dragging.

The hood is where Umbreon's face lives. The ears have fiber filling so they stand up, and the eyes are embroidered. There are also embroidered details on the sleeves and legs, which is where Umbreon's yellow rings would be.

And then there's the tail. It's made of minky and foam, it has a valve so you can inflate it, and it secures to the back of the jumpsuit. That gives Umbreon its big, bushy tail without adding weight, and it's one of the details that make the costume feel more like the actual Pokémon.

The inflatable tail

Inflatable tails are fun, but they do take a little care. Here are a few tips.

Inflate it by mouth, slowly, until it's full but still a little soft. Overinflating can strain the seams. Close the valve firmly, and check it once before you head out.

If the tail goes a little flat during the night, that's normal. Many inflatable pieces lose a bit of air over a few hours. It only takes a few breaths to refill, so just keep that in mind at the halfway point.

And when your kid sits in the car, a soft, half-inflated tail is a lot more comfortable than a fully pumped one. Some parents let a little air out for the drive and top it off at the first house.

How the sizes work

The Umbreon costume comes in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. The Small and Medium cost $49.99, and the Large costs $69.99. So if your kid needs the Large, expect to pay $20 more.

The size chart lists seven measurements. The Small, for kids' size 5-6, has a 32-inch chest, 18-inch sleeve, 26- to 31-inch waist, 34-inch hips, 28.5-inch torso and 13-inch inseam. The Medium, for 7-8, is 34, 19.5, 27 to 33, 35, 30.5 and 16 inches. And the Large, for 10-12, is 36, 21, 28 to 35, 36, 32.5 and 19 inches.

Two numbers stand out. The torso is fairly long for each size, from 28.5 to 32.5 inches, which is good for a jumpsuit, since a short torso is what makes jumpsuits pull and pinch. But the inseam is short, from 13 to 19 inches. That's partly because the torso measurement covers so much of the body. Still, if your kid has long legs, the pants may end above the ankle. The elastic ankles help keep that from looking like a mistake.

The chart doesn't list height or weight. So use your kid's clothing size as a starting point, and measure their torso if you can.

What the Espeon Q&A says

The Umbreon page has only one question in its Q&A, but the Deluxe Espeon costume, which is the same design in pink, has a few that apply to both.

One shopper asked how these costumes run, and the answer was that the size chart provides "the most reliable measurements," and that "Sizing up is suggested when measurements fall between sizes." That's good, standard advice for any jumpsuit.

Another shopper asked whether the Large would fit a small adult woman, at 5'2". The answer gave the Large's measurements and said comparing them to your own is the best way to tell. That's worth knowing if a teen or petite parent wants to match, since there's no adult Umbreon on the site.

The Espeon's size chart lists the Small as kids' 4-6, while the Umbreon lists its Small as 5-6. The measurements are close, so the difference is probably just labeling. Either way, go by the measurements.

The one question on the Umbreon page

A shopper asked where the costume is made and whether flame retardants are used. The answer was that the company works with manufacturers "around the world," and that flame retardant information "isn't something we publish for this costume." The site suggested checking the care label on the garment itself.

That's an honest answer. If it's important to you, look for the label when the costume arrives. And in general, with any costume, keep kids away from candles, jack-o'-lanterns and open flames.

What parents said about a similar Eevee costume

Since the Umbreon has no reviews yet, the closest comparison on the site is the Kid's Pokémon Eevee Hooded Jumpsuit Costume by Disguise. It's a simpler, cheaper Eevee costume, priced at $39.99 to $49.99, with a velour hooded jumpsuit, wired ears, embroidered face details and a detachable collar. It's not the same design, but it's from the same brand and the same family of Pokémon. It has two reviews, both five stars.

Brianna wrote, "This was worn by a 9 year old multiple times - everything was in good shape and functioning by the actual Halloween event. Was a tad warm for Florida but that's poor planning on our part not the costumes fault lol."

Another parent, who bought a 10/12, said, "Got this for my 7 yr old daughter. Wanted it big so she could wear warm clothes under it, it works great!!"

Two things from those reviews apply to Umbreon too. First, plush Pokémon jumpsuits are warm. If Halloween is hot where you live, light clothes underneath are a must. Second, sizing up for layers works well, especially in colder places. A jumpsuit that's a little big can fit over a sweatshirt.

What to add

The Umbreon costume is complete on its own, but there are a few nice extras. The site sells a Pokémon Umbreon Ears Headband Costume Accessory for $15.99, which is great for a sibling or friend who wants to join without a full costume, or for your kid to wear when the hood gets too warm.

For a little extra glow, think about Umbreon's yellow rings. In the games, they light up in the dark. A few yellow glow sticks or glow bracelets around the wrists and ankles make a fun nod to that, and they also help your kid stay visible at night. That's a smart safety touch for a costume that's mostly black.

Black or dark gray sneakers finish the look.

What about older kids?

Here's one gap to know about. The Large is the biggest size, for kids' 10-12, with a 36-inch chest and a 32.5-inch torso. There's no 14/16, and there's no adult Umbreon costume on the site. So a lot of 12- and 13-year-olds, who are often the biggest Umbreon fans thanks to the trading cards, may already be too big for it.

For a tween or teen who's outgrown the kids' sizes, the easiest route is a DIY Umbreon. Start with a black hoodie and black joggers. Add the $15.99 Umbreon Ears Headband, and use yellow felt or fabric paint to add the rings on the hood, sleeves and legs. Glow-in-the-dark fabric paint works especially well here, since it matches Umbreon's glowing rings and helps with visibility at night. A black faux fur tail from a craft store clipped to the back of the joggers finishes it.

It won't have the plush look of the deluxe costume, but it's cheap, comfortable and something an older kid might actually wear again. And older kids tend to like a costume that doesn't look too much like a onesie.

Making it an Eevee family

Umbreon's natural partner is Espeon. They both evolve from Eevee through friendship, Umbreon at night and Espeon during the day, so they're a classic day-and-night pair. The Kid's Deluxe Pokémon Espeon Costume costs $49.99 to $79.99, with the same design and an inflatable tail. Its Medium is currently the priciest size at $79.99.

For a bigger group, the site has more of the Eevee family. There's a Kid's Pokémon Eevee Hooded Jumpsuit Costume for $39.99 to $49.99, a Girl's Pokémon Vaporeon Hooded Costume Dress for $49.99 and the Jolteon and Flareon Hooded Costume Dresses for girls, each on sale for $29.99. There's also a Pokémon Kid's Eevee Kigurumi Costume for $69.99, and headbands for Eevee and Sylveon at $19.99 each.

For parents, there's an Adult Pokémon Eevee Costume Onesie for $59.99, and for candy, the Pokémon Poké Ball Treat Catcher Bucket is $29.99. A full family of Eeveelutions walking up to a door together is a pretty great Halloween sight.

Summary

The Deluxe Pokémon Umbreon Costume for Kids from Disguise is a two-piece set with a soft minky hooded jumpsuit and an inflatable tail, for $49.99 to $69.99. It has no reviews yet, but the detailed size chart and the Espeon's Q&A give good guidance, and a similar Disguise Eevee jumpsuit has five-star reviews for durability. Plan for warmth, top off the tail when needed and add a few glow bracelets for Umbreon's rings and better visibility at night.

So, is it worth it?

For Pokémon fans who love the Eevee family, yes. At $49.99 for the Small and Medium, it's a fair price for a plush, licensed costume with an inflatable tail, and the design looks like it captures Umbreon well. The Large is pricier, but still in range for a deluxe Pokémon costume.

I'll admit I'd like a few reviews on this one before calling it a sure thing. But the details on the listing are clear, and the closest comparison, the Eevee jumpsuit, gets strong feedback for holding up through repeated wear. Umbreon also has one big advantage over most costumes: it's mostly black, so it looks good even after a long night of running around.

So measure your kid's torso, size up if they're between sizes or need room for layers, and add some glow bracelets for the rings. Inflate the tail slowly. Then let your kid go out after dark, where Umbreon belongs. It's the one Pokémon that's supposed to come out at night.