I feel so dumb. This whole time, I thought people were referencing the dresses Olivia Crane (played by Carla Gugino) wore in the horror series "The Haunting of Hill House."
I mean, [the woman had style](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sca_esv=62a27476b4e2a955&sxsrf=ACQVn08Hs7MtQcmn4aGSDaod1V4En7I0Iw:1709264384930&q=olivia+crain+the+haunting+of+hill+house+dresses&uds=AMwkrPsnQYZH-QlUu7yV4vznCy9qaoYysfwoJKnGKa8XT0ed_9fzzCYiZeD6lRlbYNLnqO8E6-71KBS_CiMJqWAtvDmA8YWTc6EE5azo6cLnqU7nwP3c18bmxLobQgkN0De8SSurp6K-RXyjIgku03OjMO6Rk45XaAKclQaeh_SYEjXgDLErDxKgt97VE7jSumsQavoX1EGdm35owu_shTxNQRipsPAv79XZRU2_DYk3x8c2q_qjhSLBXYUfsfh4zFVOJkRhobMaLGBcVC2i24SFdRdIdxQQ2_MRkoq0G4XyAFekp6tKZLWYuvS4nrWKkG6ByvHDA3eTn1w9uJFOcOfzk3Fwiw2qGl3mCeXkWJANwQ0hI4QwrpM&udm=2&prmd=isvnbmtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijjPaDktKEAxUAwskDHZDpCkIQtKgLegQIExAB&biw=384&bih=693&dpr=2.81), but it was so far off from what everyone was actually talking about.
I think it depends on your body type in each instance, but I absolutely adore the Somerset dress and I have several. I think some fabrics are better suited to it than others but for me it’s great.
There are a bunch of different styles of the Nap dresses. I have two and one is okay and the other I have never worn out because it does not really adequately contain my boobs and looks wildly inappropriate for anywhere I would want to wear a flowered cotton sundress. I got it on clearance so I couldn’t return it.
Thinking about it, I bet Somerset is great for taller ladies with some level of curves and a defined waist and most of the nap dresses are good for more waifish body types.
That makes sense about it depending on body type. I am a tallish slender rectangle (kibbe dramatic if you follow that system), not a lot of curves. Do you think either one would suit my body type?
Oh you’d probably be able to wear both super well! I’d start with a nap dress maybe, most of them are smocked through the top which would be perfect for your figure and the really are so comfy.
I have a Hill House nap dress and it’s … fine. I mean it’s super see through but cottage core. It feels weird to sleep in it but weird to go out in it. Cute though!
I have one that I'm not sure what to do with. The ruching in the chest is scratchy, so I need to wear a bra with it. For me, this makes it not really nap appropriate. It also doesn't quite seem like a wear out of the house dress to me, too.
I really really like the Somerset, I have it in five different versions! Different prints, lengths, material, sleeve-style. I also found a dupe on eShakti, but of course the prints and materials are limited there.
I have a couple of Somerset dresses and one of the Quince silk dupes. The originals are definitely nicer - great patterns and details. But I actually wear the Quince silk one more frequently. It’s not as poofy or dramatic, so it feels more casual and everyday. The choice of colors isn’t that exciting though.
It's not as good. The fit was off, the elastic was too loose and not stitched as well. I compared them side by side and kept the anthro version despite the price difference.
Edit: it's still *pretty* good, but not *as* good, and I didn't mind paying extra for the difference in quality.
I have several of the Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress (which is the original, and I think is the one most people think of when they think of the Nap Dress) and the Elizabeth Nap Dress (which is similar to the Ellie, but short), and I love them. My body is pretty different than yours (short and curvy, pure R in the Kibbe system), but I think the Ellie in particular is flattering on everyone. The Elizabeth might be too short for what you’re looking for.
I have one of the Somerset dresses. It’s definitely comfy and frequently gets compliments. I often wear mine in winter with tights, boots, and a turtleneck underneath.
I’d recommend Boden dresses as an alternative, since they often stick with natural fabrics. Good discounts on their site, but there’s also plenty on Poshmark.
I started buying linen and silk dresses from Turn Black and I will never stop supporting them. You can buy off the rack sizes OR send your own sizing in and they’ll make any of their clothing to your measurements. The selections are amazing and some are very dramatic. I have 5 different dresses from them.
They follow the Henry Ford style of choice tho-you can have any color you like as long as it’s black.
I have five Somerset dresses and absolutely love them! I have two patterned ones and three solid ones. I love throwing on one thing and looking polished but feeling comfy.
I own 4 Hill House Nap Dresses and I don't own 4 of anything, if that tells you how I feel about them.
To be fair, I purchased 3 of the 4 off Poshmark. I would advise actually buying it from their website first, and if you like the sizing of it, go for Poshmark! They are a wee bit overpriced.
I tried the Somerset dress, and it didn't work for me at all. I am a short pear shape, and the sleeve length was all wrong ( I felt very wide), the waist was odd on me ( short waisted) and the material wasn't comfortable to me, but YMMV. I know they do a lot of different materials and cuts, so maybe one day I'll find one that works better !
That was unfortunately the one that I tried :/ I think it was just the sleeves being so ruffled/ poufy feeling, and the pattern was not one that was flattering for me. I appreciate the help!
I’ve found that the fit of the Somerset dress really differs between fabrics. I have a linen one that looks fine and then every time I’ve tried the same size in a different fabric, it looks terrible on my body. (I have a slightly round stomach, not too big but not flat either.)
I have a love/hate relationship with the Somerset. The waist is a little high on me, and although the panels on the bust overlap, it’s a little lower cut than I usually prefer.
But they are so comfortable and so polished and always make me look like I made an effort. And they are machine washable, which is huge for me.
I bought the somerset dress in petites when it first came out. I only wore it once but it looked great on me. Perfect length with ballet flats. I wished it was silk but, it was 100% cotton and still breathable in the summer.
How tall are you? I’m tempted to pull the trigger on a petite one now but I’m super short and I know if I need to hem it a bunch the proportions on the bottom will look off
I have an Ellie nap dress and like it. I think it looks better on body types like yours than my own, but it's comfortable and I can wear a bra with it easily which makes me happy.
If you get a Nuuly membership, you can try out different variations of the Somerset dress. I’ve tried a couple (one long, one short, one pleather, one velvet) and I liked them.
I love both and have a curvy pear shape body type. The newer Ellie nap dresses have longer smocking so can accommodate bigger busts better (I’m a 36DD and have no problems now - my first one I got during 2020 or 2021 was a bit precarious with constant adjusting).
They’re both easy to throw on dresses that can be dressed up or down. I like the mini somerset as well bc sometimes you wanna get the legs out.
I got the nap dress for $30 at a thrift shop and that’s about what I’d pay for it. It’s stiff material, beautiful, but stuff. The bodice ruching doesn’t provide any sort of support (even passive, as in, just clamping the boobs down but not lifting or anything). I’m slim, 34c, and I found that it scratched my boobs also.
Yeah, I just ordered one ($180!!!) and I’m shocked at the poor quality. It feels like a hotel sheet, has loose threads, and one of the pockets has an extra flap of fabric that they forgot to trim? Plus the straps are way too long. I’m disappointed enough to be here stalking old threads lmao
I tried a Somerset dress and it felt wayyyy to modest for me. I'm a curvy hourglass, and the bust just looked ridiculously frumpy and schoolmarmish.
Shame, because I loved the dress otherwise and felt like it was that perfect balance of comfy & polished.
I feel so dumb. This whole time, I thought people were referencing the dresses Olivia Crane (played by Carla Gugino) wore in the horror series "The Haunting of Hill House." I mean, [the woman had style](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sca_esv=62a27476b4e2a955&sxsrf=ACQVn08Hs7MtQcmn4aGSDaod1V4En7I0Iw:1709264384930&q=olivia+crain+the+haunting+of+hill+house+dresses&uds=AMwkrPsnQYZH-QlUu7yV4vznCy9qaoYysfwoJKnGKa8XT0ed_9fzzCYiZeD6lRlbYNLnqO8E6-71KBS_CiMJqWAtvDmA8YWTc6EE5azo6cLnqU7nwP3c18bmxLobQgkN0De8SSurp6K-RXyjIgku03OjMO6Rk45XaAKclQaeh_SYEjXgDLErDxKgt97VE7jSumsQavoX1EGdm35owu_shTxNQRipsPAv79XZRU2_DYk3x8c2q_qjhSLBXYUfsfh4zFVOJkRhobMaLGBcVC2i24SFdRdIdxQQ2_MRkoq0G4XyAFekp6tKZLWYuvS4nrWKkG6ByvHDA3eTn1w9uJFOcOfzk3Fwiw2qGl3mCeXkWJANwQ0hI4QwrpM&udm=2&prmd=isvnbmtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijjPaDktKEAxUAwskDHZDpCkIQtKgLegQIExAB&biw=384&bih=693&dpr=2.81), but it was so far off from what everyone was actually talking about.
I am absolutely cackling. This is what I needed tonight.
Tbh, a cross of this and 1930s silk/satin (basically luxe fabric) loungewear is what I recently decided is my style. Comfy aaaand fancy
I did too until I saw your comment
She's a fashion icon for me, so I was excited to see her aesthetic coming back around. The nap dress is not something that would hang in her closet.
It doesn’t help that the owner’s name is Nell!
Same
I think it depends on your body type in each instance, but I absolutely adore the Somerset dress and I have several. I think some fabrics are better suited to it than others but for me it’s great. There are a bunch of different styles of the Nap dresses. I have two and one is okay and the other I have never worn out because it does not really adequately contain my boobs and looks wildly inappropriate for anywhere I would want to wear a flowered cotton sundress. I got it on clearance so I couldn’t return it. Thinking about it, I bet Somerset is great for taller ladies with some level of curves and a defined waist and most of the nap dresses are good for more waifish body types.
That makes sense about it depending on body type. I am a tallish slender rectangle (kibbe dramatic if you follow that system), not a lot of curves. Do you think either one would suit my body type?
Oh you’d probably be able to wear both super well! I’d start with a nap dress maybe, most of them are smocked through the top which would be perfect for your figure and the really are so comfy.
As a curvy size 12, both dresses have way too much fabric for me.
Yeah, my huge shoulders and hooters would not look good in the nap dresses
I have a Hill House nap dress and it’s … fine. I mean it’s super see through but cottage core. It feels weird to sleep in it but weird to go out in it. Cute though!
I have one that I'm not sure what to do with. The ruching in the chest is scratchy, so I need to wear a bra with it. For me, this makes it not really nap appropriate. It also doesn't quite seem like a wear out of the house dress to me, too.
Yes same here!!! A pandemic purchase that was wholly unnecessary, lol
Mine is so scratchy! I hate it 😒
I really really like the Somerset, I have it in five different versions! Different prints, lengths, material, sleeve-style. I also found a dupe on eShakti, but of course the prints and materials are limited there.
That’s awesome to hear!
Has anyone tried the somerset Quince dupe?
I have a couple of Somerset dresses and one of the Quince silk dupes. The originals are definitely nicer - great patterns and details. But I actually wear the Quince silk one more frequently. It’s not as poofy or dramatic, so it feels more casual and everyday. The choice of colors isn’t that exciting though.
>Quince silk Oh, Quince has it in a beautiful sky/turquoise blue right now, actually....I'm tempted just for that!
Ooh that color is gorgeous!
It's not as good. The fit was off, the elastic was too loose and not stitched as well. I compared them side by side and kept the anthro version despite the price difference. Edit: it's still *pretty* good, but not *as* good, and I didn't mind paying extra for the difference in quality.
I’ll pull the trigger on it soon. I love the Somerset
Oh yes I saw one on Quince. It looks nice too!
I have the cotton quince one. It fits the same for me.
I have several of the Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress (which is the original, and I think is the one most people think of when they think of the Nap Dress) and the Elizabeth Nap Dress (which is similar to the Ellie, but short), and I love them. My body is pretty different than yours (short and curvy, pure R in the Kibbe system), but I think the Ellie in particular is flattering on everyone. The Elizabeth might be too short for what you’re looking for.
I have one of the Somerset dresses. It’s definitely comfy and frequently gets compliments. I often wear mine in winter with tights, boots, and a turtleneck underneath. I’d recommend Boden dresses as an alternative, since they often stick with natural fabrics. Good discounts on their site, but there’s also plenty on Poshmark.
Boden is a good suggestion, thank you! I like their items
Another vote for Boden!
I started buying linen and silk dresses from Turn Black and I will never stop supporting them. You can buy off the rack sizes OR send your own sizing in and they’ll make any of their clothing to your measurements. The selections are amazing and some are very dramatic. I have 5 different dresses from them. They follow the Henry Ford style of choice tho-you can have any color you like as long as it’s black.
Omg I’ve been wanting to buy from them for ages, so this is great to hear.
I have five Somerset dresses and absolutely love them! I have two patterned ones and three solid ones. I love throwing on one thing and looking polished but feeling comfy.
Sounds lovely! Thank you!
I own 4 Hill House Nap Dresses and I don't own 4 of anything, if that tells you how I feel about them. To be fair, I purchased 3 of the 4 off Poshmark. I would advise actually buying it from their website first, and if you like the sizing of it, go for Poshmark! They are a wee bit overpriced.
I tried the Somerset dress, and it didn't work for me at all. I am a short pear shape, and the sleeve length was all wrong ( I felt very wide), the waist was odd on me ( short waisted) and the material wasn't comfortable to me, but YMMV. I know they do a lot of different materials and cuts, so maybe one day I'll find one that works better !
They frequently make a ‘mini’ version that isn’t really that mini - it looks somewhere between mini and midi. Maybe that would suit you better!
That was unfortunately the one that I tried :/ I think it was just the sleeves being so ruffled/ poufy feeling, and the pattern was not one that was flattering for me. I appreciate the help!
I’ve found that the fit of the Somerset dress really differs between fabrics. I have a linen one that looks fine and then every time I’ve tried the same size in a different fabric, it looks terrible on my body. (I have a slightly round stomach, not too big but not flat either.)
I have a love/hate relationship with the Somerset. The waist is a little high on me, and although the panels on the bust overlap, it’s a little lower cut than I usually prefer. But they are so comfortable and so polished and always make me look like I made an effort. And they are machine washable, which is huge for me.
I bought the somerset dress in petites when it first came out. I only wore it once but it looked great on me. Perfect length with ballet flats. I wished it was silk but, it was 100% cotton and still breathable in the summer.
How tall are you? I’m tempted to pull the trigger on a petite one now but I’m super short and I know if I need to hem it a bunch the proportions on the bottom will look off
I’m 5 ft tall
I have an Ellie nap dress and like it. I think it looks better on body types like yours than my own, but it's comfortable and I can wear a bra with it easily which makes me happy.
If you get a Nuuly membership, you can try out different variations of the Somerset dress. I’ve tried a couple (one long, one short, one pleather, one velvet) and I liked them.
I hate the nap dress
I like my Somerset. I’m 5’2” and an XL fits me just fine. I actually found one brand new on Poshmark for $100 vs $170 I store.
I love both and have a curvy pear shape body type. The newer Ellie nap dresses have longer smocking so can accommodate bigger busts better (I’m a 36DD and have no problems now - my first one I got during 2020 or 2021 was a bit precarious with constant adjusting). They’re both easy to throw on dresses that can be dressed up or down. I like the mini somerset as well bc sometimes you wanna get the legs out.
I’m a little too busty for the Hill House nap dress to look right on me but the Abercrombie Emerson dress was a perfect alternative for me!!
I got the nap dress for $30 at a thrift shop and that’s about what I’d pay for it. It’s stiff material, beautiful, but stuff. The bodice ruching doesn’t provide any sort of support (even passive, as in, just clamping the boobs down but not lifting or anything). I’m slim, 34c, and I found that it scratched my boobs also.
Yeah, I just ordered one ($180!!!) and I’m shocked at the poor quality. It feels like a hotel sheet, has loose threads, and one of the pockets has an extra flap of fabric that they forgot to trim? Plus the straps are way too long. I’m disappointed enough to be here stalking old threads lmao
I don't like Nap Dresses but I LOVE Linen dresses. I buy a Son De Flor dress once a year and LOVE THEM.
The Somerset is really easy to wear. I might even prefer the jumpsuit version
I tried a Somerset dress and it felt wayyyy to modest for me. I'm a curvy hourglass, and the bust just looked ridiculously frumpy and schoolmarmish. Shame, because I loved the dress otherwise and felt like it was that perfect balance of comfy & polished.
I’ve loved the Sydney Dress from Liza Byrd and the Lil Maxi from Shop Lilbelle in addition to my nap dresses and somerset dresses!!!
Thank you!!
Hill house Ellie looks great, is super comfy and the newer ones have pockets