dresses

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT? NAP DRESS REVIEW

This review has been a long time coming. It’s one of the most frequently asked questions I get over the past year…. Is the Hill House Nap Dress worth it? I’m going to do this as a Q&A set up based on a lot of the questions I get:

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT? NAP DRESS REVIEW

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT? NAP DRESS REVIEW

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT?

It’s so hard to say whether or not something is “worth it” because I think that’s largely subjective. For me though, the nap dress is very much worth it. So much so that, as you can see, I’ve acquired a nice collection.

WHICH STYLE DO YOU RECOMMEND THE MOST?

This one was the first that I bought and I totally understood the appeal from the first wear. I’ve since converted to be the biggest “Ellie” dress fan. If I’m going to buy a nap dress and if there’s one style I’m going to recommend, it’s the Ellie.

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT? NAP DRESS REVIEW

HOW IS THE FIT?

The nap dresses run big, in my opinion. If you’re in between sizes, I’d definitely recommend going down. And if you’re unsure between two, I’d go with the smaller. The smocking isn’t that tight, so especially if you have a smaller chest, you definitely want to go down a size. And if you usually go up a size to fit curvier hips, you do not have to with the nap dress since it’s so flowy.

IS THE NAP DRESS WORTH IT? NAP DRESS REVIEW

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE NAP DRESS?

I think it’s the ideal dress to just…. throw on. It’s ridiculously comfortable and breezy. It’s one of those styles that look great with sneakers and espadrilles and barefoot, too. Especially in the summer, I tend to gravitate towards dresses that aren’t fussy and can just suffice on their own. It’s easy to throw on a denim jacket or wear with a fleece (I wore mine with my Dudley Stephens a lot this summer).

NAP DRESS REVIEW

WHAT IS THE FABRIC LIKE?

So every nap dress feels a little different. Honestly, I think Hill House is still honing in on what makes a good apparel fabric. I would definitely recommend a) reading the fabric descriptions and b) following both @hillhouse and Hill House founder @nelliediamond on Instagram. Before launches, they do Q&As and walk through the fabrics. It is soooo helpful because sometimes the photos don’t do the fabric justice and other times I love the way it looks and then when I see a sneak peek on Instagram, I realize it’s not a fabric I would wear. I think this is crucial in fabric satisfaction. (For example, the light blue on the website looks like a simple blue but on Nell’s Instagram, she described and showed that it actually has a slight shimmer to it.)

I hope they do more solids with 100% cottons and no shine. I love the fancy aesthetic to look at, but I think classic prints (like the green gingham from last summer) and solid colors are much more practical and wearable.

HOW DO I GET ONE?

The Ellie dresses go fast. Especially the special releases. I know they’ve been better about doing more inventory, but for many of the fabrics, you have to get it while it’s hot, essentially. Again, following @hillhouse and @nelliediamond on Instagram will ensure you know exactly when and what is launching. Not going to lie, I’ve been known to put the launch on my calendar. They’ve started doing a virtual waiting room pre-launch and then it refreshes right at the set time. Dresses, especially smaller sizes in the fun prints, go fast.

smocked flowy dress

CAN YOU WEAR A BRA?

Yes! The Ellie dress especially is “some bra friendly.” My favorite Natori feathers bra, for example doesn’t work because of the shape…. but a bra with more of a square neckline will. I typically don’t wear a bra, but if I did, I would go for a strapless bandeau bra personally.

 

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29 Comments

Alex

I have two nap dresses (loveee Caroline) and can’t wait to get another. I want to get the Ellie next. The shoulders don’t fall down like the Nesli, do they? I’m not looking for an off the shoulder. Thank you!

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carly

They don’t fall down on me. But I do know some people get the sleeves taken in a bit if they’re too long. Easy fix

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Kate Losee

I have a few that I have gotten hemmed above the knee and use for beach coverups too!

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Swapna King

That is a great idea! I may need to look into doing this for one of my dresses.

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Jamie

I’d always planned to eventually get a Nesli but this makes me want Ellie!!

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Melanie Mauldin

Hi Carly! Do you feel like the nap dress would be nursing friendly? Does it pull down in the chest easily? Thanks!

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carly

Yes!! I bought the three last launch for an august delivery with this in mind 🙏🏻

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Emily

Do you think the Swiss dot semi sheer one is too see through to wear out and about?

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Isabelle

Hi Carly!
Thank you for this post! It helped me a lot! But I’m still unsure with the size. I’m normally a Small (in Europe) but not sure if I should stick with it or get a size smaller. It’s a little bit tricky with the return from Europe so I really want to get the right size. Should I get a XS?

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Gabriela

If it helps, in my experience American sizes run bigger than Europe- I am always a small in US brands, but have to go up to a medium at Zara in France. This particular dress runs even a bit bigger than that, I am still in a small at 6 months pregnant!

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Swapna King

I know have 3 Ellie dresses! The first two I wore during the holidays with long sleeve shirts. They were so cute and comfy in plaids. I wish I had snagged the green gingham. It is so pretty! The third Ellie is in the green floral print. Not sure if I will keep it but it’s beautiful. I also bought an actual nightdress style in the cream floral. I still have not work it. I was hoping I could put it with something and wear it out. I am not sure I will be able too. I may return an exchange for an Ellie in the floral cream. The materials are amazing and so soft. I have turned on a few other gals to them as well! I really wanted the shorter dress in green floral. I think that will be more useful to me. I am hoping for some blouses in the future. Those would be perfect for work. This dress is perfect for maternity and nursing(if applicable). I wish I had them when I was pregnant. You look beautiful in all of them.

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Patricia

Would love to try this dress, but colors and size I want are all sold out! Can you ask HH to please restock or give insight to when more will be available?

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carly

Definitely follow them on Instagram! They always announce when the new launches will happen!

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Latreasha Clinton

I am so pleased that these dresses are coming back in fashion. These dresses are so beautiful and comfortable. I had all colors when I was young and when I had my first baby in 1999. They are really comfortable during pregnancy and I can not wait for the new colors and styles.

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Isabel

This takes me back to what I wore in middle school in the 1970’s… funny what goes around, comes around.

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M.

They look so cute and effortless, but… are they for napping??? Are you not supposed to wear them in public? I cant see myself ever spending $100 on PJs (no judgement; just not my thing!), and they look way too cute for saving just to sleep?

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Phoebe

Hi Carly! Would love to see how you style the black nap dress. I’m struggling how to reconcile the color with the ~vibe~ of the dress if that makes sense!

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Lauren

I just bought my first Nap dress (the bubblegum pink Ellie in Medium).I am usually a large (sometime XL) so I hope it works! I had the navy in my cart as it sold out, but it was only left in L so maybe not meant to be.

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