This Nap Dress review is long overdue! I feel like I’ve become a bit of a fashion blogger but for people that want to be comfy 100% of the time. After all, I’m a gal that typically wears yoga pants for work attire. Anytime I’m wearing “real clothes” they better be comfy!
Enter: The Nap Dress. The yoga pants of dresses, if you will.
Over the last few years, the Hill House Home “Nap Dress” has gained a lot of popularity and passionate fan following. And I’ll be honest: at first I was a bit iffy about it. What could be so special about this dress!? But I can now honestly say: I get the hype.
My Hill House Home Nap Dress Review
First things first: What is the Nap Dress?
According to the Hill House Home website and founder Nell:
The Nap Dress® is our signature garment; soft, comfortable, and pretty enough to wear all day and night.
I personally like to think of it as a dress that’s comfortable enough that you could, in theory, nap in them but is also cute enough for being out and about.
Hill House Home makes a few different types of Nap Dresses. My two favorites are the classic Ellie Nap Dress (pictured above with the mermaid print!) and the new shorter Elizabeth Nap Dress.
What makes this dress SO great?
1. The fit is super flattering
I think one of the reasons this dress gained such a cult following is that the silhouette is flattering on many different body types. The smocked top feels super feminine but in my opinion not too girly or childish. It’s also the perfect “Zoom” dress as you’ll feel like you’re wearing a nightgown on the bottom but with a flattering top.
2. You don’t *need* to wear a bra
In the summer I try to avoid wearing an underwire bra at all costs. While I don’t have the biggest boobs, I’m definitely not flat-chested. These dresses keep the girls in place — I’m not wearing a bra in any of the photos in this post. I’ve heard from friends with bigger chests that they also can get away with not wearing a bra with these dresses.
3. It’s a dress that makes you feel put together with minimal effort
I love an easy dress that you can throw on and BAM you feel stylish, put-together, and ready to conquer the day. This is definitely that kind of dress.
4. It’s great for when it’s HOT out
Last summer I loved wearing my Nap Dress on those super hot days when NYC feels like the armpits of hell. The lightweight fabric kept me cool… or y’know as cool as I was going to feel in the blazing NYC heat 😂
5. It’s machine washable
As someone that will avoid dry cleaning or handwashing clothes at all costs, this is a major win!
*Note* This is not the case for ALL of the fabrics. Double-check care instructions for your dress before washing
What You Need To Know:
The dresses run a tad big
I recommend sizing down. The Ellie and Elizabeth dresses both run large. I’m typically a size 2 and wear an XS in both. I could possibly even size down for the XXS but haven’t tried it on for comparison.
The original Ellie is super long
My biggest complaint about the Nap Dress is that the Ellie is SO long. I’m 5’2″ and it hits me about right above my ankle. I am planning to get my Ellie dresses tailored before the summer to bring them up a bit so it’s more of a “midi” length.
If you’re on the petite side, I’d recommend going for the Elizabeth dress. It hits me right above my knees but still has the same flattering smocked top.
Be careful how you hang your dress
This might just be a “me” issue but I’ve been worried about the straps stretching out from the weight of the dress when the dresses are hung on hangers. I’ve been draping my dresses over the hangers instead to avoid stretching out the straps.
It’s not the cheapest dress.
The dresses have recently gone up in price to $150 (or more for certain fabrics). It’s definitely not the cheapest sundress, especially compared to what you’ll find from Old Navy or Target. I do think it’s a case of “you get what you paid for” and the dresses feel well constructed. For me, it’s a dress I wear all the time in summer, so the price becomes worth it.
All-in-All:
I’m obviously a big fan of the Nap Dress. While it’s not the cheapest summer dress, the fit is very flattering and it’s the perfect cute option for a hot summer day. I am not ashamed to admit that I’ll be wearing Nap Dresses to just about every occasion this summer.
☀️
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