Hill House Ellie Nap Dress Review: Sizing, Fit & Is It Worth It?
I’ve owned the Hill House Ellie Nap Dress in multiple prints over the years, and it’s still one of the dresses I wear most. At 5’2”, I’m especially selective about midi dresses because they can easily overwhelm a petite frame. The Ellie is one of the few that consistently works well on me without feeling too long or oversized.
I’ve worn the Ellie for everything from casual dinners out to weekends away, and it’s one of those dresses that never feels like too much. I can throw it on with sandals during the day or dress it up a bit for dinner, which is probably why I keep buying it in different prints.
If you’re wondering about Hill House sizing, comfort, petite fit, or whether the Ellie is actually worth the price, here’s my review after wearing mine for years.
Quick Notes
- Runs slightly large
- Petite-friendly midi length
- Comfortable smocking that doesn’t feel restrictive
- Bra-friendly straps
- Easy to dress up or down
- Worth it if you want a feminine dress you can wear repeatedly
What Is a Nap Dress?
A nap dress is a dress designed to feel as comfortable as loungewear while still looking polished enough to wear out. Hill House does this category so well. With smocked silhouettes like the Ellie, that can be worn casually during the day or dressed up for dinner, vacations, or events.
Over the years, the brand has expanded into multiple nap dress silhouettes. The Ellie style remains one of the most petite-friendly styles which is one of the reasons I keep coming back to it.
Is the Hill House Ellie Nap Dress Comfortable?
Yes. The Ellie nap dress is one of the more comfortable dresses I own because the smocking stretches without digging in or feeling stiff. The fabric moves easily, the straps stay in place, and the pull-on design makes it easy to wear for long days, travel, dinners, or events. Hill House nap dresses are meant for easy dressing and looking polished no matter what you are doing. There are no buttons, zippers, or snaps to slow you down. Just pull-on the nap dress and you’re ready for the day or night.
What I’ve always liked about the Ellie specifically is that the smocking moves with you. Some smocked dresses can start to feel stiff or tight after a few hours, but this one stays comfortable throughout the day. I also appreciate that the fabric moves nicely without clinging, which makes it especially easy to wear during warmer months or while traveling.
What I Like About the Ellie Nap Dress
The beautiful selection of prints every season keeps me coming back. I think that Hill House Home has one of the best feminine print selections out there. Specifically for the Ellie dress, I do love the smocking at the bodice. It gives you a little more shape then a more relaxed dress style would. Plus the tired skirt adds that balance which makes it a little more playful without being too much. It’s feminine and romantic while being very modern and wearable at the same time.
How Does Hill House Sizing Run?
In my experience, the Ellie Nap Dress runs slightly large because the smocking has a lot of flexibility. If you’re between sizes, I would size down. I wear an XXS and still have room through the bodice without it feeling loose.
One thing I appreciate about Hill House is the inclusive size range and forgiving fit. The smocking gives shape while still feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Is the Ellie Nap Dress Petite-Friendly?
On my 5’2” frame, the Ellie hits closer to a longer midi length without quite becoming a maxi dress. I don’t need alterations, which is rare for this style. The waist placement also sits correctly instead of dropping too low, which can happen often with smocked dresses on petites. The Ellie is one of the most petite-friendly long dresses that Hill House offers.
Is the Hill House Ellie Nap Dress Worth It?
I do think the Ellie is worth it if you want a dress you can repeatedly wear for dinners, vacations, showers, weekends, and events without needing much styling. I’ve continued reaching for mine over multiple years, which is usually how I judge whether something actually earns its price point. I’m always looking for great dresses under $200 and they are tough to find. Considering the Ellie is under $200, it’s rare to find a dress this good at that price point. So definitely worth it in my opinion.
If you like feminine dresses that still feel easy to wear, the Ellie is one of the few I continue reaching for year after year.
Styling the Ellie Nap Dress
The print and details does most of the styling work, so I keep the accessories simple.
For daytime I wear it with flat sandals and a raffia bag. It’s an easy combination that works whether I’m running errands or meeting someone for lunch. At 5’2″, flat sandals work with this dress in a way that doesn’t always work with longer midi styles. The length hits where I don’t need a heel to pull it together.
For dinner I switch to my gold block heels from Inez (TARA15 gets you 15% off) and a smaller bag. Gold reads as a neutral against most prints, which is why it’s become my go-to with this dress across multiple color-ways.
Once it’s cool enough for layers, a cardigan and knee-high boots is my fall version of this outfit. Dark florals move into fall palettes naturally, so the dress doesn’t need to be retired when the temperature drops.
FAQs: Hill House Ellie Nap Dress Review
Does the Ellie Nap Dress run true to size?
It runs slightly large and the smocking at the torso has lots of give. In you’re between sizes, I’d size down. Otherwise you can take your true size for a comfortable fit.
Is the Ellie Nap Dress good for petites?
Yes, the Ellie is one of the more petite-friendly midi dresses. It hits full length on my 5’2″ frame, but not quite maxi length.
Can you wear a regular bra with the Ellie?
You actually can wear a regular bra with the Ellie since the shoulder straps are wide enough to cover your bra straps.
Does the smocking stretch out?
There is a lot of flexibility in the smocking to give you are comfortable fit. But it does not stretch out over time. The smocking is sewn to remain completely flexible without stretching out over time.
Is the Ellie Nap Dress worth the price?
Yes, at under $200 for this quality and print selection, it’s absolutely worth the price if you’re looking for a versatile dress you can wear everyday wear to more special occasions.
What shoes look best with the Ellie?
Because of the longer length, I do think a small heel looks best. However, at 5’2”, I can still get away with flat sandals depending on the look. In the photos above I’m wearing these low gold block heels, and that’s really all the extra height I need. You can use TARA15 for 15% off too.
Gold shoes are one of the easiest ways to make dresses a little more polished without overpowering the outfit. I shared more of my favorite gold shoes and how I style them in this post.
And if you’re trying to build a versatile shoe wardrobe overall, I also shared the shoes I wear most with summer dresses, from flat sandals to lower heels that still work well for petites.
Overall, I do think the Hill House Ellie Nap Dress is worth it, especially if you love feminine dresses that still feel easy and comfortable to wear. It’s one of the few dresses I continue reaching for year after year because it works for so many occasions without needing much styling.
