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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