It took years to finally buy my first Hill House Nap Dress. It wasn’t until I was in a pinch and needed a few more dresses for family photos that I finally took the plunge and ordered it.
It wasn’t necessarily the price that put me off for so long (I spend similar amounts on dresses from stores like Tuckernuck all the time—you can find my favorite Tuckernuck dresses here); it was the fact that there were knockoffs everywhere. I figured the real thing couldn’t be that special. I mean, how could it be any different from the similar smocked midi dresses I’d seen everywhere else, including Amazon? (If you’re looking for a good alternative—albeit not quite as perfect—Quince has a very similar smocked midi dress.) I’ve left some sizing information on the Quince dress in this Quince review.
I was absolutely thrilled when my order arrived from Hill House. The quality is top-notch. The fit is so flattering, and the smocking actually supports the body instead of making the bust sag like many other smocked dresses. The ruffles on the shoulders are the perfect size and flatter the arms, and the neckline is tastefully low without revealing too much. And the best part? I felt beautiful in it immediately after giving birth (yes, it’s breastfeeding-friendly), and I still love wearing it now that I’m no longer in the first few weeks postpartum. It’s a true all-around dress, and I think everyone should try it.
My Hill House Ellie Nap Dress is undoubtedly one of my best purchases of the last year.
Yes! Now that I own and love a Hill House Nap Dress, my conclusion is: Try it on for yourself to understand how great it is. I’ve listed all my favorite features (and one not-so-great factor) below, but the short answer is: It’s absolutely worth buying.
It’s important to note that Hill House makes several different styles of nap dresses, but they’re all similar. I own the Ellie Nap Dress, the most classic style with flutter straps. I can’t speak to the fit of the other nap dress styles, but I think they’re generally very similar in terms of size and comfort.
As for sizing, I recommend choosing your normal size. If you’re unsure for any reason (e.g., if you have a smaller bust), choose a smaller size. The sizing is very flexible, as the dress is smocked, making it easier to choose the right size. If you normally wear XS/S, go for XS. If you normally wear M, go for M. I’m wearing XS, even though I have a larger bust while breastfeeding.
One of the main selling points of the Nap Dress is its comfort. One reason for this is its fit—supportive yet flowing. It’s designed to be so comfortable that you could actually take a nap in it. Although I haven’t, I can confirm that it’s comfortable enough for that.
The bodice is sturdy and compresses the bust without being too tight or constricting. Some smocked dresses make my bust look saggy rather than “firm,” but the Nap dress supports my bust without feeling too tight. The straps are also smocked with a ruffle/flutter detail and don’t pull on the shoulders or slip—they stay exactly where they should.
The rest of the dress has a signature A-line fit that flatters most body types. It’s fitted where you want it to be and drapes smoothly everywhere else. This makes the Nap Dress perfect for photos, too. It’s a great choice for family photos.
Overall, the fit is true to size, comfortable and flattering.
The quality is one of the reasons I finally understood the hype when I tried on this dress. I was particularly struck by how well-crafted the smocked detail was. I own a few smocked dresses, and my main complaint is that the smocked detail often pulls horizontally in the bust area because I have a larger bust, or my breasts sag because the smocked detail doesn’t provide enough support. Neither is particularly flattering. Therefore, I had to wear a bra, which was often difficult to conceal since the square neckline is visible in most bras.
That’s not the case with the Nap Dress (and especially the Ellie). As mentioned, the smock is stable and secure, offering good compression. It stretches naturally but also shrinks everything in, and you don’t have to maintain perfect posture 24/7 to keep your breasts looking normal. I can actually wear it braless, even though I’m 40 and breastfeeding my second baby with a DD cup. If you want to wear something underneath, I recommend these adhesive bras. They’re thin and reusable and only provide a little coverage. Some of my Neiwai bras are also invisible, and they’re incredibly comfortable, too.
The Nap Dress is made of 100% cotton, so it’s lightweight and breathable, but not see-through. Oh, and it has pockets!!!
100%! I wish I’d ordered these when I was pregnant with my boys! The smocking stretches so it grows with my baby, and the tiered skirt offers plenty of room for the bump. I love my Ellie Nap Dress for nursing because you can easily pull down the straps and smocking. And the pattern I have covers any milk stains.
I now recommend Hill House dresses to anyone who asks me about a good maternity photoshoot dress or breastfeeding-friendly dresses. The comfort and flattering look of the dress on all body shapes are simply unbeatable.
With the hype surrounding the Nap Dress comes scarcity. While there are always a few versions of the Nap Dress in stock, the patterns and colorways are often limited, so you need to act quickly if you want something specific. Nell and the team are great at building excitement around new collections, so the most anticipated ones sell out quickly. My colorway is “Pansy,” which is no longer available.
Two of my favorite color combinations currently available as part of their spring collection are Apple Green Stripe, Poppy Block Print, and Navy Trailing Fern.
As mentioned above, there are other models of The Nap Dress. The Anjuli Nap Dress has thinner straps (still elastic) and slightly less bust compression; the Cosima Nap Dress has a high neckline and more smocking; the Madeline Nap Dress has short sleeves and a feminine round neckline, and there are also mini versions. You can find all Nap Dresses on the Nap Dress Shop page.
Although I only have the Ellie Nap Dress at the moment, here are a few other nap dresses I’ve tried:
My only complaint is that they’re not that easy to wash. While you can load them into the washing machine, they have to be laid flat to dry. I try not to wash mine often so the smocking doesn’t get ruined. While I prefer clothes that I can safely throw in the washer and dryer, it’s worth the extra effort to lay them flat to dry.
While the Nap Dress is the centerpiece of Hill House, there are tons of other cute styles as well. I own the Delphine Nap Skirt and have my eye on the swimsuits. I’d love to try the Charlotte Nap Dress in navy with stripes.
Like any major retailer, Hill House offers free returns on domestic orders. It’s child’s play!
Interestingly, Hill House is actually called Hill House Home. Nell Diamond founded the brand in 2016 as a bedding company focused on the then-popular “Grand Millennial” trend. Since 2016, however, Hill House Home has evolved into a brand offering clothing, bedding, bath products, and even baby products. Today, the company is best known for the Nap Dress, which is so comfortable you could take a nap in it.
I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to finally try on a Hill House Nap Dress. They’re better than you’d think, and you’ll find yourself wearing them at least weekly. For a busy mom who loves to play and chase her kids while still looking cute and feeling comfortable, Hill House has found the perfect dress.
