Nap dress – Investment Piece

Nap Dress: Summer Outtings

Investment Piece: Summer Outtings

If we can define a nap dress as the cross between a nightgown and a day dress (see here) and agree that there are nap dresses that lend themselves to sleep (see here), wouldn’t it make sense that there are nap dresses for summer Outtings?

I bought this dress on the same day that I bought the nap dress from Monday, and on the same day that I read this article about nap dresses. I loved the eyelet detail on the sleeves. The pockets! The tent like way it hung. Not quite a night gown (though I have a nightgown that is ALMOST AN EXACT MATCH. The main difference is the pockets) and not quite a dress. The irony?

While I feel the urge to sleep in the nap dress from Monday, with this nap dress, I feel the urge to go out. It’s become my “dressy” nap dress. (Yes, that’s where we are). For errands or socially distanced happy hours or what is now nights out (walks or zooms or anything I can now convince myself is an “event”), this is now my go-to.

And people love it.

Does it feel like a nightgown? Yes.

Does it wear like a dress? Yes.

Is it the perfect nap dress? Yes.

If nap dresses are both for bed and for Outtings, shouldn’t it stand that you have nice nap dresses? Ones that you only wear out? (The good news is that they would be just as chic at home and in bed. That’s the magic of the genre!)

This is my “nice” nap dress. The one I reserve for “special” things.
And if it feels and looks like a nightgown that’s between me and me. 😉

I’ve linked options for you below. What kind of nap dresses are you wearing?
Xo RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece summer Outtings

What is a Nap Dress?

Investment Piece: Cinderella

It’s Nap Dress week here at Investment Piece. We’ve chatted the allure of nap dresses, sleep issues, and some of my nap dresses. One, kinda odd, thing that we haven’t really discussed?

What is a nap dress?

Investment Piece: what is a nap dress

Is a nap dress simply a nightgown you can wear outside? An updated version of a vintage nightgown or dressing gown? A vintage night gown? Any dress that is comfy enough to lounge in?

I think the answer is yes, to all of the above. While there is an “official” nap dress (see here), a take on vintage nightgowns, maybe the real answer is a nap dress is any dress that lets you relax.

I’m sure that we could define the nap dress a bit more clearly, make the definition include the juxtaposition these dresses have of innocence and appeal, the nods to nightgowns of yore. But that would leave out so many dresses that would be great to nap in- from acutal vintage dressing gowns to slip dresses. I also have sundresses that I’ve worn to bed recently, are they not nap dresses?

Investment Piece: what is a nap dress?

Since the publishing of this article about nap dresses, I have seen more and more people refer to nap dresses. And while I’ve always been a fan of PJ dressing and the Sleeper dresses (I’ve linked some for you below, they are also part nightgown-part dress!), I think this overload of nap dresses is a comment on where we are.

Most of us, especially in the States, are staying home and dressing for not going out is becoming, at least for me, a challenge. I love my clothes, I love the stories they tell, I have no qualms about dressing up for myself. But, when you don’t have to get dressed for months at a time, do you?

Nap dresses let you stay in your pjs all day, but feel like you got dressed. It’s an accomplishment that leaves you looking chic. Right now, I will take feeling accomplished and looking chic any way I can.

What is your definition of a nap dress? Are you wearing them? In fact, what are you wearing now?

One of my fave nap dresses are Sleeper dresses, and I’ve linked some for you below!
Xo RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Investment Piece: do it all

Nap Dress: Summer Sleep

Investment Piece: summer sleep

Can a dress help you sleep better? I’m game to find out!

Ironically enough, the morning that I read The Allure of the Nap Dress by Rachel Syme, I had already spent some time looking at Sleeper (the nightgown dress) dresses on sale. After reading the article, I was a little more obessed with finding my own nap dress. I can struggle with sleep, and if fashion is the answer I’m excited about it.

I found this number at Target and I had to have it. Yes, it reminded me of a Sleeper dress, and yes with nap dresses at the front of my mind, I was looking for something just like it.

And loves, it’s great- I love the off-the-shoulder and it hangs well, and has just enough personality (the color, the dots, the little flounce)!

It’s become my go-to (yes, you’ve seen it all over my IG feed. I throw it on, yes, sometimes every day, when I need to feel dressed, but not constrained. It’s comfy enough to lounge in, but looks polished for the few errands I run, or taking out the trash. (And yes, when we can all get together it will look great at all those parties!) It makes me feel good without any effort.

The one thing I haven’t done in it? Sleep.

So, is it a nap dress? Is it helping me sleep this summer?

If a nap dress is something in between a nightgown and a dress, this fits the bill. If a nap dress is something to lounge in, then this is it. I’ve slept well on days that I’ve worn it. And there are days when I can’t seem to sleep, no matter what I’m wearing. This dress does look chic- and maybe focusing on that is the way to a good night’s sleep? Or maybe I go all the way and sleep in this number.

I’m open to all ideas. As for now, how I’m “napping” is wearing this and relaxing in the afternoon. And it’s going chicly!

I’ve linked this exact outfit for you below!
What are you napping in?
Xo RA

Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

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Investment Piece: summer sleep