Hill House Nap Dress Review + Sizing for the 10 Best Styles

Curious about the nap dress phenomenon? Here’s my Hill House Nap Dress Review!

Alright friends, I finally caved. After resisting for the entire pandemic, I finally gave in and ordered a Hill House nap dress. I assumed that the Ellie Nap Dress wouldn’t be ideal for petites (and I do have some sizing thoughts on that topic) but overall, I get the hype around this brand now. Everything is beautifully made and so comfortable that you could, well, nap in them as the name suggests 😂

Hill House Home was founded by Nell Diamond in 2016. The company originally started as a bedding collection but have since expanded to offer home, accessories, baby & kids, bridal collections, and of course – the now iconic Nap Dress®. They launched the dress in 2019 and trademarked the name in January 2020, right before it really took off.

What is a nap dress?

Seriously, what’s with the nap dress name? Are you supposed to actually nap in it? Not really – but I’m pretty sure the point is that it’s so comfortable, you could. When talking about why she created the Nap dress, Nell said:

“I wanted to design something that allowed me to feel like myself during a 3:00 am feeding, when I’m so bone-tired and have four thousand emails and I’m thinking about taxes and my laundry and my to-do list and the Nap Dress® came to be as a solution to a problem inherent in my own life.”

Women have clearly been craving an investment piece like this that they can wear (and feel pretty in!) while running errands or attending a fun event! Beyond the original Ellie Nap Dress, they now have a whole bunch of different lengths and silhouettes in the collection.

So today, I am dedicating to this post to my thoughts on the oh so popular Hill House Home Nap Dress along with a few other styles they sell. Let’s dive in!

Hill House Nap Dress Review

Sizing & Length

I am usually somewhere between an XS and small in most dresses (or size 2!), but I heard that Hill House dresses run big, so I ordered the Ellie nap dress in an XS. It fit, but it felt like way too much fabric in the skirt to wear with flat sandals. I exchanged it for an XXS and while there’s not a huge difference in the length, I do think there’s a little less bulk in the skirt.

For reference, I’m 5’2″ and it sits right at the top of my ankles. In other words, petite gals don’t really have to worry about tripping on it – it just might be a little long for your personal style preference. Some of the other styles fit differently though so keep reading for sizing insights on those!

Fit

No matter what size you get in the Ellie, the smocked bodice in any nap dress is super stretchy, which is a really nice feature. No need to worry about zipping this bad boy up. The sleeves are not adjustable, but I found them to be a great length.

As for the skirt, it’s definitely full and roomy! Again, I think it feels even fuller on me because of my height. It comes all the way down to the tops of my ankles, whereas I think it looks less full on taller gals when it’s more of a true midi length.

Comfort

WOWZA this dress is comfortable. It’s lightweight and breezy and you can wear a bra and the list goes on!! I also just suggested it to my friend who is pregnant and she confirmed that it’s also super comfortable with a baby bump! The smocked top stretches nicely and as I said above, the skirt isn’t restricting at all.

Fabric

The nap dresses come in a few different fabrics but the one I got is nearly 100% cotton (97% cotton, 3% elastane). It’s super lightweight and breathable which will be absolutely perfect for hot and humid summer days.

I’ve heard the white swiss dot and limited edition lace ones are sheer and usually require wearing a nude slip underneath, but I didn’t have that experience with the colors I ordered at ALL. No need for nude underwear or anything!

But I think the best part is that they are machine washable. Wash with a full load using cold water and lay flat to dry. I always appreciate a dress that doesn’t require a trip to the dry cleaner, so THANK YOU for that, Hill House!

Quality

I’m super impressed with the quality of everything I tried. While I’m not keeping everything I ordered, quality certainly isn’t the reason for my returns. I think they’ve done a beautiful job with design, fabric, and construction.

Hill House Styles + Sizing

The Ellie Nap Dress

This is the OG Hill House nap dress – the one that started #napdressnation! The Ellie Nap Dress is the style I was talking about in the section above. Scroll back up to read more about fit, quality, fabric, and more since it’s all up there. I’m wearing the XXS here.

I think the best thing about this dress is that you can easily dress it up or dress it down. You could wear it with flat sandals to brunch with girlfriends or running errands around the city. But you could also put on a pair of heels and jewelry and wear it to a shower or a wedding! It also packs really well. I brought it with me to Positano!

And speaking of weddings, they also have a BEAUTIFUL white version with ribbons for brides. I also think the lace version and/or tulle version would be so beautiful as a fancier wedding guest option. And because it still has the smocking, they work for pregnant and postpartum mamas!

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The Anjuli Nap Dress

If you like the idea of a Hill House nap dress but you don’t like the ruffle sleeves – I totally understand. Luckily they made the Anjuli Nap Dress! It has the same signature smocked bodice, but instead of flutter sleeves, there are elastic straps. It also has a slimmer maxi skirt with a pretty flounce hem.

Overall, it’s longer than the Ellie but way less fabric. It’s a little long for petites to wear with flats, but this style feels a little elevated so I wear it with a small block heel anyway. This style is also way more true to size with a slimmer skirt.

I got a size small and while an XS probably would have been fine due to the smocked bodice, I definitely wouldn’t ever go all the way down to an XXS like I did with the Ellie.

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The Elizabeth Nap Dress

The Elizabeth Nap Dress is the shorter version of the Ellie nap dress. Everything is the same except the skirt, including the sizing. I’m in an XS here but could have sized down to XXS like I did with the Ellie. It hits me right above the knee and I think I’d like it more if it was a little shorter on me. So if you’re taller than 5’2″ or you just like a slightly longer mini dress, this is a great option!

It also comes in a bunch of colors in both cotton and wrinkle resistant crepe, AND there is a gorgeous white lace version that would be perfect for bridal events!

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The Juliana Dress

Pretty sure this is my new favorite Hill House dress. The Juliana is giving old Hollywood movie star goes to Europe vibes. It’s the same shape as the previously released Ophelia dress, just without the puff sleeves. The straps are elastic and the bust is adjustable thanks to a tie neckline. And the corset inspired mid-section? Hello snatched waist!

I first got a size XS and it was difficult to zipper by myself. Adam got it for me, but it still felt too snug. I exchanged it for a small and it’s much more comfortable!

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The Matilda Dress

If you’re trying to pick out the best Hill House dress for an event or wedding – the Matilda dress is my pick. This dress is STUNNING in person. It comes in 6 colors/prints but this blue hydrangea print is absolutely gorgeous.

It has an empire waist and slightly flared skirt that makes it ultra romantic and flattering. Because of that, I think this style would be both pregnancy and postpartum friendly even though it’s not technically in their nap dress collection.

I returned this because the high low hemline was a little to low in the back for me even with 3.5″ heels. While that wouldn’t be an issue if you’re taller than 5’2″, I am THRILLED that they made this version with a straight midi hemline! Literally perfection! I got a size small and it fit perfectly, but I think an XS would have worked too.

There’s also a top version too!

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The Scallop Lace Isabel Nap Dress

Another great event/wedding guest option is this scallop lace dress. Let me start by saying that the scallop lace fabric looks SO expensive. It is thick, it is detailed, it is BEAUTIFUL. This Isabel style has a fully smocked bodice, adjustable straps, and side slits.

Something about the high square neckline didn’t quite work for me but the length was actually pretty good and the XS fit otherwise. And now that I’ve fallen in love with this fabric, I kind of want to try it in the Anjuli nap dress, Charlie shift dress or Daphne nap skirt.

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The Lilou Nap Dress

Moving on to more casual options, the Lilou Nap Dress is so easy breezy! It has a fully smocked bodice with a high neck in the front and a crisscrossed open back. I was a little worried about the bra situation but the smocking actually holds you in really nicely. I could also wear my Gatherall backless bra comfortably too.

I got an XS and it fits really well. The waist hits me a little lower than I expected, but I think that’s just because I’m short. Overall a great summer day dress!

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The Jersey Samara Nap Dress

The Samara Nap Dress is just a longer version of the Lilou Nap Dress – but in a sleek jersey material. It has the same smocked high neckline and open back with criss-crossed straps. I got a small in this one because I wasn’t sure if the jersey would be clingy, but I think an XS would have been fine.

The main benefit of this dress is that you can dress this way up or way down. Pair with sandals and a jean jacket to run errands or wear with heels and an evening bag to date night or an event. It is seriously SO versatile, it’s crazy.

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The Paz Skirt

I ended up returning this skirt, but the quality is still excellent. The fabric is 100% linen and the size small fit me really well. I personally didn’t love the tiers on me, but that’s just personal preference!

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The Paz Top

While I didn’t love this top with the skirt as a set, it’s so cute on it’s own with jeans!! Like the skirt, it’s also 100% linen and super comfortable. The straps and smocking is exactly like the Ellie nap dress, and the little ruffle around the waist is really sweet.

Again, I am 5’2″ so it’s plenty long on me with high waisted bottoms, but if you are super tall, it might be a little more cropped on you. I got this in an XS and it fit great!

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Is The Hill House Nap Dress Worth It?

I always have trouble answering if something is “worth it” because it depends on so many things! But if you love to wear easy and comfortable dresses in the summer and $150 is within your budget, then YES. 1000% worth it.

Out of all the Hill House dresses, I personally think the original Ellie dress is the best investment because it’s the most versatile. But I am also eyeing SO MANY new arrivals for Summer 2023!

These dresses can be worn with flat sandals to a casual brunch or I could dress it up with heels to go to a wedding. There aren’t a ton of dresses that can do all of that!

Do you have a Hill House nap dress? What do you think of yours?

PS. If you liked this Hill House Nap Dress Review, you might also like 20 Summer Dresses for Petites, Reformation Size Guide and Quince Review.

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