Hill House Home Review: Everything You Need to Know About the Nap Dress and More

Hey there, fashion lover! If you‘ve been anywhere on social media lately, you‘ve probably heard the buzz about Hill House Home – specifically, their uber-popular Nap Dresses that have taken the internet by storm. As a fashion blogger and unabashed dress obsessive, I couldn‘t wait to get my hands on a few Nap Dresses to see if they lived up to the hype. Spoiler alert: they totally do, and then some.

But before we dive into the dreamy details of the Nap Dress, let‘s back up and talk about Hill House Home as a brand. Founded in 2016 by Nell Diamond (coolest name ever, right?), Hill House Home started as a direct-to-consumer bedding company on a mission to make your home as beautiful as your favorite boutique hotel. Nell‘s background in design and fashion shines through in every piece, from the crisp percale sheets to the chic velvet pillows.

In 2019, Hill House Home expanded into apparel and accessories with a tight edit of pieces designed to make you feel pulled-together at home. And that‘s when the Nap Dress was born. Nell wanted to create a garment that captured the easy, effortless vibe of her bedding – something comfy enough for lounging but cute enough for wearing out. The original Ellie Nap Dress, with its smocked bodice and ruffled shoulders, was an instant success and has since spawned countless variations and knockoffs.

By the Numbers: The Nap Dress Craze

To say the Nap Dress is popular would be a vast understatement. Here are some stats that show just how in-demand these frocks are:

• In 2020, Hill House Home sold over $1 million worth of Nap Dresses per month, with many styles selling out within minutes of dropping.

• The brand currently has over 400,000 Instagram followers and an ultra-engaged fanbase. Their posts featuring new Nap Dress launches regularly garner tens of thousands of likes and comments.

• According to data from fashion search engine Lyst, searches for "nap dresses" spiked 122% in the summer of 2021. Hill House Home‘s styles were the most-wanted.

• A-listers like Mindy Kaling, Kerry Washington, and Kelly Ripa have all been spotted wearing Nap Dresses, further fueling the frenzy.

• When I polled my Instagram followers about their Nap Dress collections, the average number owned was 4! Several people had upwards of 10 Nap Dresses in their closet.

So yeah, it‘s safe to say this dress is a capital-T Thing. But why are people so obsessed? I chalk it up to three main factors: comfort, versatility, and of course, the undeniable cuteness factor.

Nap Dress Road Test

To give you the full scoop, I tried three of Hill House Home‘s bestselling Nap Dress styles myself: The Ellie, the Athena, and the Caroline. Here are my honest thoughts on each one:

The Ellie Nap Dress

Fabric: 100% cotton poplin
Fit: Oversized, I sized down for a less voluminous look
Styling Ideas: With sneakers and a denim jacket for day, or dressed up with heeled sandals and gold jewelry

The Ellie is Hill House Home‘s OG Nap Dress and it‘s easy to see why it‘s a fan favorite. The smocked bodice is super stretchy and accommodating (perfect for fluctuating pandemic bodies like mine), while the tiered skirt adds a breezy, romantic feel. I love how the ruffled straps cover bra straps for a polished look. This one definitely runs big, so size down if you don‘t want to be swimming in fabric.

"I feel like Hill House Home gets me. The Ellie is comfy, cute, and makes me feel put together even if I‘m just hanging at home. I have it in 3 prints and want more!" – Rachel S.

The Athena Nap Dress

Fabric: Linen blend stripe
Fit: True to size
Styling Ideas: As a beach cover-up over a swimsuit, or paired with lace-up sandals and a straw hat

If you love the easy breeziness of the Nap Dress but want to show a little more skin, the Athena is your girl. This gorgeous linen number has skinny straps and a straight neckline that shows off your collarbones. The body is still smocked for comfort, but the flowy skirt kicks out more dramatically than the Ellie for a bit of drama. Basically, it‘s a Nap Dress with main character energy.

"The Athena is sexy but unfussy at the same time. I feel like I‘m on vacation every time I wear it, even if I‘m just in my backyard." – Jenna M.

The Caroline Nap Dress

Fabric: Botanica floral print cotton
Fit: Runs slightly large, I went with my usual size for an oversized look
Styling Ideas: On its own as a statement piece, or layered under a cropped cardigan with ankle boots

For the cottagecore girlies, look no further than the Caroline Nap Dress. With its puffed sleeves, ruffled shoulders, and tiered midi skirt, this one is serving romantic prairie vibes. I‘m obsessed with the whimsical botanica floral print, which pops against the emerald green background. This dress is begging to be worn on a picnic or trip to the farmers market.

"I can‘t stop wearing my Caroline dress. Every time I put it on I feel like the main character in a period romance. The sleeves are everything!" – Kira L.

Quality and Customer Experience

Slipping on a Hill House Home Nap Dress feels like being enveloped in a soft, stylish hug. The 100% cotton fabrics are breathable and get softer with each wash, and the linen styles have a satisfying weight without being heavy. The smocking is stretchy but supportive, and the ruffles maintain their shape wear after wear. Basically, these dresses are workhorses that still look polished.

I also have to gush about the top-notch customer service at Hill House Home. When one of my Nap Dresses arrived with a small hole, the team immediately sent me a replacement and let me keep the original. They were so apologetic and went above and beyond to make it right.

Returns are also a breeze, with free shipping and a generous 30-day window to send items back. The only downside is that Nap Dresses tend to sell out lightning fast, so you have to stalk the website and act quickly when a restock happens. But in my book, that only adds to the thrill of the hunt.

Styling Tips and Occasion Breakdown

Part of the genius of the Nap Dress is how versatile it is. I‘ve worn mine to lounge around the house, run errands, go out to dinner, attend baby showers, and even as a wedding guest dress. The simple silhouette makes it easy to dress up or down depending on your shoes and accessories.

Some of my favorite ways to style a Nap Dress:

• With white sneakers, a denim jacket, and a baseball cap for a casual weekend look
• Layered under a cozy cardigan with ankle boots in the fall
• With strappy sandals, statement earrings, and a swipe of red lipstick for a dinner date or event
• As a beach cover-up over a swimsuit with slide sandals and sunnies
• Belted with a silk scarf and paired with block heels for a garden party or bridal shower

I also appreciate that Nap Dresses look great on a wide range of body types and sizes. Hill House Home offers sizes from XXS-2XL, which equates to roughly a size 12/14. As someone who hovers between straight and plus sizes, I love not having to worry if a style will fit my curves. That said, I hope the brand continues to expand its sizing to be even more inclusive.

Value and Comparison to Other Brands

At $100 to $150 a pop, Nap Dresses are definitely an investment piece. But in my opinion, the price is well worth it for the quality, versatility, and just plain joy these dresses bring. I‘ve washed mine dozens of times and they still look pristine. Plus, the cost-per-wear is likely to be quite low since you can style them so many ways.

The Nap Dress has unsurprisingly spawned many copycats across the internet and at various price points. But none quite capture the magic of Hill House Home. The other versions I‘ve tried felt cheaper, less comfortable, and didn‘t have the same attention to detail. With a true Nap Dress, you can feel the love and care that goes into every stitch.

When compared to other popular dress brands, I think Hill House Home offers a unique combination of whimsy, quality, and wearability that sets it apart. If you‘re looking for an heirloom-worthy dress you‘ll want to live in, the Nap Dress is a worthy closet staple.

The Final Verdict

After thoroughly analyzing, wearing, and fawning over Hill House Home‘s Nap Dresses, I can confidently say they are worth every penny and ounce of hype they get. The brand has managed to create a garment that is equal parts fashion and function, and spark a viral sensation in the process. In a time when we‘re all craving comfort and ease, the Nap Dress is truly the hero piece we need.

To be fully transparent, Nap Dresses are not the most size-inclusive or budget-friendly. But in terms of construction, design, and the overall customer experience, Hill House Home knocks it out of the park. These are dresses you‘ll want to live in and collect like little works of art.

Whether you‘re already a Nap Dress devotee or new to the craze, I highly recommend giving Hill House Home a try. Treat yourself to one of these frocks and I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face every time you slip it on.

Happy lounging, twirling, and inevitable Nap Dress obsessing!

xx Your Resident Frock Fanatic