Every so often, a trend explodes on social media and gets us thinking, “OMG! I need that now!” We’ve been through the white sneakers phase. For instance, we’ve experienced the bucket-hats-are-cool-again moment. 

We even endured the Birkenstocks-aren’t-just-for-hippies years. Also, it’s impossible to forget that a lot of us made it past the am-I-the-only-person-who-doesn’t-have-a-pair-of-bike-shorts season.

Think you already have every wardrobe staple you need in your closet? Well, there’s one you might be missing, and it’s called the nap Dress. Maybe we all binge-watched a bit too much Bridgerton during quarantine, or maybe it was our social media obsession with cottagecore, but whatever the reason, the nap dress is all the rage.

If you don’t already have one, you’re already lagging behind the Insta-fashion eight ball. But don’t sweat it! We’ve got you covered. From how they became popular to why people love them so much, here’s everything you need to know about the nap dress, followed by links to 11 of our favorite nap dresses that will keep you looking cool in 2022.

Editor Favorites:

Related: How to Dress The Pear Body Shape [Look Your Best, Feel Your Best] 

What is a Nap Dress? 

The term nap dress instantly makes a lot of us picture a daytime nightgown. While you can certainly sleep or lounge in one, that’s not really what it’s all about. From empire waist gowns inspired by the Victorian era to smocked bodice midi dresses that scream, “I’m about to go pick wildflowers from my garden!” the nap dress comes in different forms.

It’s not about a particular fabric either, nor is it about a particular sleeve length. In fact, it’s not about a specific length at all, though most nap dresses are midis or maxis. Rather, a nap dress is identified by the fact that it is so comfy, you could take a nap while wearing it! 

Think of it as an A-line silhouette piece that you can throw on and do just about anything in, especially taking a nap.Donning a nap dress is an easy way to make yourself feel a bit more put together than when you’re rocking your favorite albeit sloppy sweatpants. It’s comfortable enough to wear as you relax on the couch in between Zoom calls, but it’s equally as appropriate as an outfit you can wear out and about, like when you’re grabbing a coffee or walking the dog.

People love the style of the nap dress because it’s comfortable enough to lounge in at home but dressy enough to wear as you go out into the world. The nap dress is flowy and feminine, as it’s all about feeling good, looking good, and being comfortable all at the same time. 

Who Started the Nap Dress Trend?

We totally get that people have different preferences for what they wear throughout the day. After all, we all have pajamas that we throw on at night and leggings and sports bras that we throw on for a quick workout.

But the thought of throwing on a specific dress to take an afternoon nap? Let’s be real – no one is doing that. Despite the name, sleeping isn’t really what the nap dress is about. No one, not even the people who trademarked the name, expects you to put on a specific dress just to take a nap.

Hill House Home trademarked the name in 2020, and it caught on big during the early months of Covid. But it wasn’t a Covid-inspired design at all – Hill House Home released the original nap dress design in 2019, pre-pandemic. Founder and CEO Nell Diamond was certainly in the right place at the right time with this design, as the 2020 quarantine hell we all suffered through had us wearing nothing but comfy, easy clothes without zippers, buttons, or fixed waistbands. 

The original Hill House Home nap dress took social media by storm, as so many fashion items and fleeting trends do. The more it caught on, the more legs it got, and it quickly became the must-have item of the year. But it didn’t die in 2020. It even managed to survive 2021. And here we are in 2022, still talking about it.

Why?

Because the nap dress has become the loungewear replacement for casual, country prairie, feminine, cottagecore fans who love an easy piece that looks part polished and part I’m ready for a snooze.

Related: How To Style And Dress The Rectangular Body Shape 

The 11 Best Nap Dresses for 2022 (You’ll Want Them All)

Ready to rock your first nap dress? Already have one for every day of the week but want to buy a few more? Here are our 11 favorite nap dresses for 2022 that you can wear when you’re working from home, lounging on the couch, or heading out for a casual, comfortable Sunday brunch. 

1. Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress

The Ellie Nap Dress from Hill House Home is the nap dress that started it all. Available in a slew of colors, fabrics, and prints, the Ellie Nap Dress features a smocked bodice, flutter sleeves, a square neckline with ruffle trim, and a tiered A-line midi skirt with side pockets.

This dress is unique in that it’s made for women of all shapes and sizes, including pregnant and postpartum bodies. If you’re pregnant, you can rest assured that this nap dress will stretch comfortably over your growing baby bump. If you’re a new mom that’s still breastfeeding, just pull down the stretchy top and you’re ready to feed your little one!

2. Hill House Home Ophelia Dress

Because Hill House Home gets the credit for starting the nap dress trend, we’re giving them two spots on our must-buy nap dress list.

As much as we love the original Ellie Dress, we’re even more in love with the Ophelia Dress. If you don’t like the feeling of a smock style across your chest, this is the dress for you because it only has the smock style in the back.

The front of the bodice is fitted yet still comfortable. It features short puffed sleeves and a slight V-neck with a tie. With a midi A-line skirt and gathered accents on the sleeves, this dress transitions from Zoom meetings to lunch dates with ease.

3. Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress

Puff sleeves, a smocked bodice, a tiered, flowy skirt… The Free People Dahlia Embroidered Maxi Dress has all of the markings of the perfect nap dress.

This maxi dress features ¾-length puffed sleeves with gathered cuffs, a smocked top with a square neckline, and embroidered flowers that make it boho-meets-Bridgerton chic.

4. BHLDN Sachin & Babi Emile Dress

Want a dressed up nap dress that you can wear on your wedding weekend or on a fabulous romantic date? Check out the Sachin & Babi Emile Dress at BHLDN.

This midi dress features a flattering A-line skirt, a ruched bodice with a square neckline, and short puff sleeves that add to its cottagecore vibe. A low back and a full skirt make it look gorgeous from every angle.

5. Miessial Ruffle Midi Dress

Looking for a great nap dress that won’t break the bank? We love this Ruffle Midi Dress from Miessial! This casual style features flutter cap sleeves, a smocked bodice with a square neckline, and a full A-line midi skirt. 

It’s detailed with a keyhole and a button closure at the back of the neck and has pockets to carry your phone or other must-haves around. Available in a variety of colors, this striped midi dress can be dressed down with sandals or sneakers when you’re at home or dressed up with heels for a cute, casual daytime look.

6. Reformation Gitane Linen Dress

The Gitane Linen Dress features the classic nap dress silhouette but has a high front slit that adds a bit of a sexy twist. Made from sustainably produced linen fabric, this design features long puffed sleeves with gathered cuffs, a fitted bodice with allover smocking, and a square neckline. The stretchy and smocked bodice stretches makes it perfect for a comfortable day in, a comfortable day out, or – you guessed it – a quick afternoon snooze.

7. Madewell Lucie Midi Dress

With an all-over floral print, the Lucie Midi Dress works for any casual day at home or on the go. This Madewell dress features 3/4 length puffed sleeves, a smocked bodice with a square neckline, and a tiered skirt designed to hit mid-calf. It’s a detailed dress, boasting side pockets that make it even more functional. Plus, it’s available in standard sizes and well as petite and plus sizes.

8. Lost + Wander Sweet Summer Daze Dress

In a pale yellow hue with an allover floral print, this dress will make a dreary, rainy day feel like a spring celebration.The Lost + Wander Sweet Summer Daze Dress features a square neck smocked bodice, short sleeves with elastic trim, and a ladder-stitched tier at the hem. Pair it with wedges for a daytime date or rock it at home with your favorite flat slip on. It’s the perfect dress if you want to instantly be in a spring or summer mood.

9. Universal Thread Balloon Sleeve Dress

Available at Target for less than $30, the Universal Thread Balloon Long Sleeve Dress is an affordable way to try out a nap dress for the first time. This design features elbow-length sleeves, an empire waist bodice with a V-neckline, and an A-line skirt with a gently pleated waistband.

Detailed with a side pocket and available in a variety of colors and prints, this nap dress is ideal if you don’t like a fitted bodice and prefer something slightly more forgiving.

10. Sleeper Linen Midi Dress

The geniuses at Sleeper have somehow managed to turn a grandma-inspired nightgown into a super stylish dress.

Loose with long balloon sleeves and an off-the-shoulder bodice, the Sleeper Linen Midi Dress is a nap dress that you might actually want to sleep in. It’s crafted from flax linen and features crocheted details and a ruffle at the hem. Wear it around the house or rock it as a beach coverup or an easy, breezy summer day dress.