![Nap Dresses Are The Easy Breezy Solution To Summer Dressing](https://dailytimes247.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11754123.png)
The second half of summer has us wanting to wear as little clothing as possible. But we also deeply desire to live out our best “European Summer” and look effortlessly chic. The solution? An easy-breezy summer dress, in particular a nap dress. While loose-fitting, smocked dress styles have been around for a while, the flowy Victorian-esque frock has evolved from a nightgown to a mainstream day (and night) wear alternative ever since lifestyle brand Hill House Home released its Nap Dress in 2019. Since then, the dress silhouette has cemented its status as a summer must-have.
Since the newest wave of popularity, many interpretations of the versatile style have spawned. The nap dress therefore doesn’t look like just one silhouette anymore. Yes, typically the dressy-yet-laidback dress has signature details like smocked bodices, puff sleeves, and midi-length skirts, but you can also find it with frilly straps, tiered maxi skirts, and drop waists in solids, colorful hues, and eye-catching patterns now. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorite flowy dresses that we’d love to live in all summer.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
For more can’t-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.
![](https://dailytimes247.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/11754123.png?auto=webp&width=1261&height=1389&quality=85&crop=1261:1389)
Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
Shop Hill House Home
Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753678.png?auto=webp&width=920&height=1227&quality=85&crop=920:1227)
Sleeper Atlanta Off-The-Shoulder Shirred Linen Midi Dress
Shop Net-a-Porter
Sleeper Atlanta Off-The-Shoulder Shirred Linen Midi Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753690.png?auto=webp&width=520&height=693&quality=85&crop=520:693)
Gap x Dôen Eyelet Midi Dress
Shop Gap
Gap x Dôen Eyelet Midi Dress, $, available at Gap
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753672.png?auto=webp&width=960&height=1440&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Free People Ultraviolet Dress
Shop Free People
Free People Ultraviolet Dress, $, available at Free People
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753693.png?auto=webp&width=830&height=1054&quality=85&crop=415:527)
Madewell x Lisa Says Gah! Cutout Midi Dress
Shop Madewell
Madewell x Lisa Says Gah! Cutout Midi Dress, $, available at Madewell
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753720.jpg?auto=webp&width=850&height=1275&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Zara Textured Midi Dress
Shop Zara
Zara Textured Midi Dress, $, available at Zara
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753687.png?auto=webp&width=860&height=1147&quality=85&crop=860:1147)
Reformation Balia Linen Dress
Shop Reformation
Reformation Balia Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753744.jpeg?auto=webp&width=1200&height=1466&quality=85&crop=600:733)
On 34th Plus Size Woven Smocked Ruffled Midi Dress
Shop Macy’s
On 34th Woven Solid Smocked Ruffled Midi Dress, $, available at Macy’s
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753681.png?auto=webp&width=960&height=1440&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress: Puff-Sleeve Edition
Shop Anthropologie
Anthropologie The Somerset Maxi Dress: Puff-Sleeve Edition, $, available at Anthropologie
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753729.png?auto=webp&width=1332&height=1858&quality=85&crop=666:929)
& Other Stories Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress
Shop & Other Stories
& Other Stories Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at & Other Stories
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753675.png?auto=webp&width=2548&height=2548&quality=85&crop=1:1)
J.Crew Smocked Side-tie Dress
Shop J.Crew
J.Crew Smocked Side-tie Dress, $, available at J.Crew
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753747.jpeg?auto=webp&width=952&height=1215&quality=85&crop=952:1215)
Asos Design Curve Voile Picnic Midi Sundress
Shop Asos
ASOS DESIGN Curve Voile Picnic Midi Sundress, $, available at ASOS
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753696.png?auto=webp&width=800&height=1000&quality=85&crop=4:5)
Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753702.png?auto=webp&width=1334&height=2000&quality=85&crop=667:1000)
Ganni Floral Print Pleated Georgette Smock Midi Dress
Shop Ganni
Ganni Floral Print Pleated Georgette Smock Midi Dress, $, available at Ganni
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753684.png?auto=webp&width=917&height=1144&quality=85&crop=917:1144)
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Smocked Midi Dress
Shop Quince
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Smocked Midi Dress, $, available at Quince
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753669.png?auto=webp&width=1370&height=1771&quality=85&crop=1370:1771)
Boden Gemma Smocked Midi Dress
Shop Boden
Boden Gemma Smocked Midi Dress, $, available at Boden
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753735.png?auto=webp&width=994&height=1182&quality=85&crop=497:591)
Levi’s Cici Midi Dress
Shop Levi’s
Levi’s Cici Midi Dress, $, available at Levi’s
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753714.jpg?auto=webp&width=720&height=1080&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Petal & Pup Morgan Tiered Dress
Shop Petal & Pup
Petal and Pup Morgan Tiered Dress, $, available at Petal and Pup
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11754033.png?auto=webp&width=1197&height=1795&quality=85&crop=1197:1795)
Damson Madder Grape Embroidery Tish Poplin Midi Dress
Shop Damson Madder
Damson Madder Grape Embroidery Tish Poplin Midi Dress, $, available at Damson Madder
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753717.png?auto=webp&width=1182&height=1568&quality=85&crop=591:784)
Cider Printed Sweetheart Neckline Knotted Split Midi Dress
Shop Cider
cider Butterfly & Floral Knotted Midi Dress, $, available at Cider
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753723.jpg?auto=webp&width=3840&height=4800&quality=85&crop=4:5)
Everlane The Gauze Smock Dress
Shop Everlane
Everlane The Gauze Smock Dress, $, available at Everlane
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753732.jpg?auto=webp&width=1536&height=2304&quality=85&crop=2:3)
Tuckernuck Gingham Seersucker Amy Dress
Shop Tuckernuck
Tuckernuck Blue Gingham Seersucker Amy Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753699.png?auto=webp&width=780&height=1196&quality=85&crop=15:23)
Elan Smocked Cover-Up Midi Dress
Shop Nordstrom
Elan Smocked Cover-Up Midi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753711.jpeg?auto=webp&width=750&height=922&quality=85&crop=375:461)
Ann Taylor Smocked Raglan Sleeve Flare Midi Dress
Shop Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor Smocked Raglan Sleeve Flare Midi Dress, $, available at Ann Taylor
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753738.png?auto=webp&width=1232&height=1866&quality=85&crop=616:933)
Cos Gathered-Waist Midi Dress
Shop Cos
COS Gathered-Waist Midi Dress, $, available at COS
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753741.jpg?auto=webp&width=900&height=1200&quality=85&crop=3:4)
Bloomchic Square Neck Floral Twist Ruffle Cap Sleeve Dress
Shop Bloomchic
Bloomchic Square Neck Floral Twist Ruffle Cap Sleeve Dress, $, available at Bloomchic
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11753726.jpg?auto=webp&width=1500&height=2000&quality=85&crop=3:4)
Banana Republic Linen-Blend Drapey Midi Dress
Shop Banana Republic
Banana Republic Linen-Blend Drapey Midi Dress, $, available at Banana Republic Factory
How does this new and improved style differ from previous nap dresses? It’s 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 to choose from.
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. Halloween costumes and holiday dresses, too! Hill House Home has created Wicked-inspired designs for their famous Ellie Nap Dress. These free-flowing frocks are truly the perfect foundational piece to layer with cardigan sweaters, wool coats, and cropped jackets. 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.
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11568039.png?auto=webp&width=956&height=1438&quality=85&crop=478:719)
Hill House Home Glinda Ellie Nap Dress
This pink girly dress is crafted with striped organza, which aligns perfectly with Glinda’s aesthetic — maybe yours, too?
Shop Hill House Home
Hill House Home The Glinda Ellie Nap Dress, $, available at Hill House Home
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11567635.png?auto=webp&width=518&height=962&quality=85&crop=7:13)
Summersalt The Countryside Poplin Smocked Midi Dress
Shop Summersalt
Summersalt The Countryside Poplin Smocked Midi Dress, $, available at Summersalt
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11567058.png?auto=webp&width=984&height=1272&quality=85&crop=41:53)
Boden Halterneck Detail Maxi Dress
Monochromatic jersey dresses are easy to have on hand, but do you have one with a bit of spunk to it? Have fun and let loose with a floral-print frock with puff sleeves and a crisscross halter neck. It has character that you’ll appreciate.
Shop Boden
Boden Halterneck Detail Maxi Dress, $, available at Boden
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11567664.png?auto=webp&width=1392&height=1396&quality=85&crop=348:349)
Ava & Viv Long Sleeve Smocked Midi Bodice Dress
Thanksgiving dinner? Cozy café visits or daytime dates? Ava & Viv has created the burgundy fall dress of our dreams, and we’re obsessed with its balloon sleeves and floral print.
Shop Ava & Viv at Target
Ava & Viv Balloon Long Sleeve Smocked Midi Bodice Dress, $, available at Target
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11567067.png?auto=webp&width=854&height=1284&quality=85&crop=427:642)
Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress
Frolic through cornfield mazes and apple orchards this fall in a burnt orange maxi dress. The smocked waist, balloon sleeves, and tiered skirt lend subtle cottagecore flair while the embroidery adds a delicate touch.
Shop Free People
Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Free People
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11477343.png?auto=webp&width=524&height=898&quality=85&crop=262:449)
ASTR The Label Enola Dress
Flirt to your heart’s content in this date-night nap dress, the older sister of the original linen style. The blue sateen brings the romance, while the low cut and fitted bodice deliver the perfect amount of sultriness. Layer with a leather jacket for a chic touch.
Shop ASTR the Label at Revolve
ASTR The Label Enola Dress, $, available at Revolve
![](https://www.refinery29.com/images/11477126.png?auto=webp&width=1002&height=1260&quality=85&crop=167:210)
J.Crew Twist-Back Smocked-Waist Beach Dress
Don’t skip out on a nap dress for your tropical vacays. J.Crew has a soft apricot halter-neck dress with an open back that will make warm breezes all the better.
Shop J.Crew
J.Crew Twist-Back Smocked-Waist Beach Dress, $, available at J.Crew
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
23 Summer Dresses From Nordstrom Anniversary Sale