Add Another New Nap Dress To Your Collection — You Can Never Have Too Many

0
Add Another New Nap Dress To Your Collection — You Can Never Have Too Many

Although the nap dress hit its stride during the summer of 2020, we’re still obsessed with its nonchalant qualities. The flowy, Victorian-meets-minimalist-chic frock formerly understood as a nightgown is now accepted as daywear. Now, it’s a viral investment worth making and a style that is needed within the wardrobe of every dress fanatic.

How does this new and improved style differ from nap dresses before? The difference is subtle, but apparent. For starters, the frock features more structure with a smocked bodice and the loose sleeves have evolved into delicate puff sleeves or frilly straps. Also, nap dresses are no longer only one tone and simple. Now there are eye-catching patterns, embroidery, and colorful hues.

Where the nap dress was inherently bedroom-born as a sleepwear piece that took to the streets, the nap dress 2.0 is a comfy daywear that can go from napping to brunching to lounging about your day. If you’re still not sure how to picture this all-purpose frock, scroll forth to see the best nap dresses that we’ve lined up ahead.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

For more can’t-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.

Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress


Imagine yourself frolicking through a meadow in a blue-tiered maxi dress. The smocked waist, balloon sleeves, and skirt give a subtle cottagecore flair with the delicate embroidery adding an eye-catching touch.

Shop Free People

Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People

Summersalt The Silky Luxe Smocked Maxi Dress

Glide into a dress that says it all with its print, color, and style. Summersalt’s silky-smocked maxi dress is available in five joyful designs and requires minimal accessorizing.

Shop Summersalt

Summersalt The Silky Luxe Smocked Maxi Dress, $, available at Summersalt

Pilcro Smocked Puff-Sleeve Denim Dress

Meet the transitional nap dress that is perfect to wear in between those iffy seasons wear the weather can’t seem to make up its mind. Pilcro’s denim nap dress gives off a structured appearance, while the V-neck, puff sleeves, and tiered skirt exude a soft touch.

Shop Pilcro at Anthropologie

Pilcro Smocked Puff-Sleeve Denim Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

ASTR The Label Enola Dress

Introducing the silky soft date-night nap dress. It’s the elevated sister of the original casual linen style. Flirt to your heart’s content while staying comfy in this stunning slate blue sateen one-piece. The romantic color and details deliver the perfect amount of sultriness.

Shop ASTR the Label at Revolve

ASTR The Label Enola Dress, $, available at Revolve

Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress

Hill House Home is home (sorry) to the most iconic collection of nap dresses. You’ll be able to find various frocks in whimsical patterns, hues, and lengths for any occasion — work events, bridal showers, lounging at home, you name it.

Shop Hill House Home

Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home

Abercrombie & Fitch Crinkle Textured Smocked Waist Maxi Dress

Lightweight and easy to throw on, Abercrombie & Fitch’s maxi dress will become your go-to beach dress for relaxing by the waters with a book and a sun hat.

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Crinkle Textured Smocked Waist Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Madewell Ingrid & Isabel Smocked Maxi Dress

Gift a new or expecting momma a breezy maxi that they’ll adore. It’s bump-approved and long enough to style with a jean jacket for early fall.

Shop Madewell

Ingrid & Isabel Smocked Maxi Dress, $, available at Madewell

J.Crew Twist-Back Smocked-Waist Beach Dress

Don’t skip out on a nap dress for your last-minute vacays. J.Crew has a soft apricot orange halter neck dress with an open back, so you’ll be free of any pesky tan lines.

Shop J.Crew

J.Crew Twist-Back Smocked-Waist Beach Dress, $, available at J.Crew

Boden Smock Waist Jersey Maxi Dress

Monochromatic jersey dresses are easy to have on hand, but do you have one with a bit of drama to it? Have fun and let loose with a print frock with fluttery sleeves and a V-neck. It has character that you’ll appreciate.

Shop Boden

Boden Smock Waist Jersey Maxi Dress, $, available at Boden

Eloquii Smocked Bodice Asym Neck Dress

Barbie is calling, and she wants her nap dress back, please. At first glance, it might just seem like a cute puff-sleeve dress, but with a closer look, it has a striking asymmetrical neckline.

Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Smocked Bodice Asym Neck Dress, $, available at Eloquii

City Chic Floral Smocked Waist Maxi Dress

Add a charming vintage-inspired maxi to your dress collection for fall. It has elbow-length sleeves, so you don’t need a jacket or cardigan, and the floral print against the black background is gorgeous.

Shop City Chic at Nordstrom

City Chic Floral Smocked Waist Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Altar’D State Blakesley Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

It’s all about the dainty sleeves with this nap dress. Elegance and gracefulness are the main factors for this fitted silhouette.

Shop Altar’D State

Altar’d State Blakesley Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Altar’d State

Asos Design Curve Bow Bust Midi Sundress In Brown Polka Dot

Tap into your retro side with a white maxi with burnt orange-brown polka dots. The cute adjustable straps and flirty-shirred bust are the focal points of this one-piece.

Shop Asos Design Curve at Asos

ASOS DESIGN Curve Bow Bust Midi Sundress In Brown Polka Dot, $, available at ASOS

August Sky Women’s Smocked Bodice Midi Dress

Fly to the sky in this angelic blue midi dress. The fluttery sleeves and neckline give off a feminine touch that is perfect for a daytime date or weekend picnic with friends.

Shop August Sky at Target

August Sky Women’s Smocked Bodice Midi Dress, $, available at Target

And Now This Trendy Plus Size Smocked Ruffle Maxi Dress

Romantic and dreamy, And Now This has created an elevated white frock with a faint gold print that would look stunning with heels, sandals, or sneakers.

Shop And Now This at Macy’s

And Now This Trendy Plus Size Smocked Ruffle Maxi Dress, $, available at Macy’s

ASOS CURVE Crochet Poplin Maxi Dress In Blue Gingham, $, available at ASOS

Christy Dawn The Maggie Dress, $, available at Christy Dawn

H&M Smocking-detail dress, $, available at H&M

AE High-Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at AE

Lulus Super Sweet Light Blue Smocked Ruffled Tie-Back Mini Dr, $, available at Lulus

Everlane The Smock Dress, $, available at Everlane

Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home

Free People Azure Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People

Tanya Taylor Lina Dress, $, available at Tanya Taylor

En Saison Shay Smock Bodice Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Steve Madden Tropical Splash Dress, $, available at Revolve

J.Crew Tie-Back Tiered Dress In Floral Print, $, available at J.Crew

Madewell Plus Sophia Smocked Midi Dress in Windowpane, $, available at Madewell

MINKPINK Vera Tiered Midi Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Love The Label Squareneck Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Miessial Striped Linen Midi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Reformation Greyson Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation

Free People Oasis Midi Dress, $, available at Free People

Zesica Strapless Beach Maxi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Draper James Deana Smocked Dress in Picnic Plaid, $, available at Draper James

Express English Factory Tiered Midi Dress, $, available at Express

UO Tessie Smocked Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Ellos Smocked Bodice Tank Dress, $, available at Amazon

& Other Stories Embroidered Sleeveless Midi Dress, $, available at & Other Stories

ASOS DESIGN Curve Shirred Bustier Mini Dress, $, available at ASOS

Max Studio Paisley Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Topshop Smocked Tiered Cotton Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Everlane The Smock Maxi Dress, $, available at Everlane

H&M Smock-Detail Dress, $, available at H&M

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

24 Dresses From Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale

A Guide To The TikTok Dresses That Have Gone Viral

The 13 Best Linen Dresses To Prep For Summer Heat

Comments are closed.