This is the trend that made real what I had been hunting for for months, yet hadn’t put into words – The Nap Dress. An idea so pure, so on-point, so rich, that journalists have been tap-tapping away at their keyboards since the start of summer, singing the Nap Dress Praises. I mean, it even made it to the pages of The New Yorker, a feat I can tell you from personal experience is not easy.
The term nap dress was coined – trademarked, actually – by Hill House Home back in January. It is lovely, I must admit, that the universe conspired with such exquisite timing to line up the launch of The Nap Dress just ahead of a global pandemic. There’s such a brilliant, if not thin, silver lining around all those dominoes that had to fall just so for the genius of it to shine – doesn’t that breathe hope for the rest of us?
The Nap Dress delivers on the desire to feel coiffed, to go through your day with a gracious amount of fabric swirling around you, yes, to not wear pants, and be able to catch a snooze when the fancy hits. It’s free-flowing without being sloppy. As the New Yorker article points out, don’t kid yourself thinking this is a house dress or a nightgown – The Nap Dress is one you could reasonably grab lunch in, take a Zoom call in, or wear to a picnic. It combines utility with the spirit of the moment – something that feels good on the skin and lifts you above the ethos of the sweatpant.
Flings with Nap Dresses
I had unwittingly hit upon the élan vital of The Nap Dress this spring with that gorgous silk Tibi maxi dress, and it happened again – although more consciously this time – with this Jonathan Simkhai number.
In the true spirit of the dress, I put it through its paces, wearing it both for my Live with Memkoh and throughout my day’s tasks, finishing with relaxation. It was a breeze to style for my meeting – just some simple gold accessories that could be unceremoniously ripped off once it was over, and it looked like I really had my sh*t together.
The stay-at-home order has prompted so many of us to hone in on those little delights of our day. It’s distilled our tasks down to the moment, right to the quick of how it feels to be YOU without, in many cases, the vestments of work, cocktail hour, or PTA meetings. I think that’s why this moment has so enthusiastically embraced The Nap Dress. It simultaneously cocoons us and frees us (no pants! undies not required, but shhhh!) without making us feel “dressed down.”
Clearly, I’m all for it.
Find the OG nap dress here or shop my faves below!
love,
Stig.
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