
The nap dress hit its stride during the summer of 2020, smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic that forced us to accept the fact that less is more when it comes to stay-at-home-style. The flowy, Victorian-meets-minimalist-chic frock formerly understood as a nightgown was now accepted as daywear because the only places we’d be visiting for the foreseeable future were our couches, beds, desks, or the grocery store (where the only accessory that mattered was our face masks). Suddenly, it was a viral investment worth making. In a post-vax world, we weren’t ready to leave nap dresses behind, and simply found takes on the trend that felt a bit more outside-ready. So what are we calling this slightly less casual and less nap-friendly version of the garment? we’re making a new case for what we’ve dubbed the “snack dress.”
How does the snack dress differ from the nap dress? The difference is subtle, but bear with us while we brush Cheetos dust off the couch. For starters, the frock features more structure with a smocked bodice that allows for optimal snacking — it can catch crumbs and act as a napkin while still helping the wearer maintain an elegant demeanor. Where the nap dress was inherently bedroom-born as a sleepwear piece that took to the streets, the snack dress is comfy daywear that secretly doubles as sleepwear.
Yes, the distinction is blurry, yes, there are Cheetos all over the carpet, and yes, it’s possible that brunching, picnicking, and going about our lives in a nightgown is a holdover from the early days of quarantine that we’re not quite ready to let go of. Either way, if you’re still not sure how to picture this all-purpose frock, scroll forth to see 20 prime-snacking examples that we’ve lined up ahead.
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ASOS CURVE Crochet Poplin Maxi Dress In Blue Gingham, $, available at ASOS

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

H&M Seersucker Dress, $, available at H&M

Abercrombie & Fitch Smocked Bodice Easy Maxi Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Ganni Seersucker Shirred Midi Dress, $, available at Ganni

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

London Times Lily Fest Floral Print Maxi Dress, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

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

Madewell Silk Lucie Smocked Mini Dress, $, available at Madewell

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

Forever That Girl Tiered Ruffled Maxi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Miessial Striped Linen Midi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Reformation Greyson Linen Dress, $, available at Reformation

Endless Summer Kalina Midi, $, available at Free People

Zesica Strapless Beach Maxi Dress, $, available at Amazon

Zara Floral Print Dress, $, available at Zara


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
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