If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll know that I am a huge Hill House Home fan. Their iconic smocked nap dresses are comfortable, stylish, and easy-to-wear. What’s not to love? As the brand has expanded beyond their original Ellie dress that started it all, you may be curious about what some of the other dress styles are like. My personal favorite silhouette is the Elizabeth. Today, I’m bringing you a Hill House Home Elizabeth nap dress review AND some affordable dupes.
For starters, I like to think of the Elizabeth silhouette as the Ellie dress’ younger sister. They’re both designed the same way and feature a stretchy smocked bodice, flutter sleeves and ruffle details. However, the Elizabeth is a mini length, whereas the Ellie is a midi length. I much prefer the Elizabeth for this reason alone, as I find it so much more flattering and versatile for my personal body/wardrobe. I also think mini dresses are a bit more timeless in general. The midi style tends to rise and fall in popularity over time, but a mini dress is always chic.
The Elizabeth nap dress is available in several different colors, patterns and fabrics. The one I am wearing in this post is the Cherry Stripe print in cotton. It’s so much fun and reminds me of an old-school Atlantic City boardwalk in the best way possible. This particular print is actually a re-edition of one of their original patterns when the brand launched a few years ago. The 2023 version received an upgrade with pockets and a lining that makes it feel a bit dressier and more luxe.
If you’re not into stripes, the Elizabeth also comes in a ditsy floral, a classic basketweave, a moody floral, a beachy shell or a gorgeous hydrangea print. And if you’re looking for something a bit simpler, there’s a plain pink, navy blue, black or red in the cotton. There’s also a black and navy blue in a crepe fabric. The crepe fabric is amazing – it’s wrinkle-resistant and has beautiful movement when you walk. It also washes like a dream. I highly recommend it!
If you’ve never ordered from Hill House before, I’ll fill you in on sizing. I’d recommend ordering the Elizabeth dress in one size down from your typical street size. I find that the smocking runs quite generous. I’m usually a medium (and 36B) in most brands, but I can easily wear a small or XS in the Elizabeth with some room to spare. I’m also 5’9″ and find the length to be perfect. It falls to my ideal length for mini dresses – not too short but not too long either.
The Elizabeth is quite an easy dress to style, which I think makes it a very versatile option for any wardrobe. I’ve paired it here with some studded heeled sandals and a gold collar shell necklace. But you could easily wear it more casually with some sneakers and a denim jacket, or flat slide sandals and a tote bag.
The Elizabeth nap dress is $150, which is typical for most Hill House nap dresses these days. It’s definitely pricey for a smocked cotton dress. But I think it’s worth the investment for your closet if you have a print or color that you absolutely love. I actually own several Elizabeths and get a ton of wear out of each of them. I think they’re a high-quality summertime dress option that won’t go out of style any time soon.
But, if you’re on a budget, don’t fret! There are some fantastic dupes of the Elizabeth nap dress that are out there for a fraction of the cost. I haven’t personally tested any of these dupes, but they look pretty identical to the original. My favorite is definitely this one from Francesca’s. It comes in some really pretty colors, and it’s currently on sale for under $30 right now, too.
Linking the Elizabeth nap dress plus some affordable dupes in the carousel below!
