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Battle of the nap dresses: Is the $70 Quince as good as the famed $150 Hill House?
Our style editor put both smocked dresses to the test to see if the original Hill House version is actually worth the extra money.
If you're on social media, you've likely seen at least one person wearing the Hill House nap dress over the past few years. The comfy-cozy frock first went viral during Covid lockdowns when people were craving dressing up but still wanted the comfort of their favorite pajamas they'd gotten used to wearing. Enter the flowy, smocked crepe dress that gives you a stylish romantic look but is still comfortable enough to sleep in. Since the dress first went viral, a number of other brands launched their own versions at varying price points, including Quince's $70 style — which is less than half the price of Hill House's. I've had the original nap dress for a few years now but I was curious to see how the more affordable version stands up. So I ordered one to directly compare the two and see which one is actually worth buying.
The matchup:
The Hill House Nap Dress has been my go-to travel dress for a few years now because of how comfortable and wrinkle-resistant it is. Not only does it have pockets, the dress comes in a ton of sizes and you can get it in loads of different colors, prints and silhouettes.
- Super comfortable and flattering
- Doesn't wrinkle
- Has pockets
- Very size-inclusive and comes in tons of styles
- Expensive
While the Quince version doesn't come in as many styles or sizes as the Hill House it is just as comfortable and looks nearly identical. If you are looking for a simple, solid color, the Quince style is your best bet.
- Super comfortable
- Much more affordable
- Made from organic cotton
- No pockets
- Not as many sizes or colors to choose from
Hill House vs Quince: Material
The Hill House nap dress is sustainably made using GRS-certified 100% recycled post-consumer plastics like water bottles. The crepe polyester fabric feels nice against the skin. Perhaps best of all, however, is it's wrinkle-resistant. I've rolled it in a ball and shoved it in my suitcase and have been able to throw it on as soon as I reached my destination with no issues. The smocking on the chest is very stretchy and has never made me feel constricted or uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, the Quince smocked midi dress is produced in BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certified factories which, according to the brand, "aims to improve working conditions throughout the supply chain." The dress is made from 100% organic cotton that is lightweight and breathable. The smocking was also very comfortable and while it did wrinkle slightly more than the Hill House when packed in my bag, it wasn't enough to make me break out an iron or steamer.
Hill House vs Quince: Fit
I found both dresses fit true to size though the Hill House version is much more size-inclusive. The Quince dress ranges from XS to XL, while the original nap dress ranges in size from XXXS to XXXXL! They both have a square neckline and a midi silhouette. The Quince option was slightly longer on me, and the neckline was a bit lower when compared to the Hill House version, but they were both incredibly comfortable on and the tiered skirts both had a good amount of volume without making me feel like a balloon.
While I often wear both on their own, since we are moving into cooler months, I can attest that they both look great when layered over a lightweight turtleneck or under a chunky cardigan. Both are thin and lightweight enough to be a good layering piece, and both look cute with thick tights and chunky boots, making them excellent transitional pieces as we move into fall.
Hill House vs Quince: Style
I got both options in black, and as you can see from the side-by-side comparison above, they look nearly identical. I honestly wouldn't be able to tell which was which if I didn't label the photos immediately after taking them. While my two black versions were pretty much the same the one main difference was the Hill House option has pockets — in my book, that's always an added bonus.
Not only does the Hill House version have way more sizes to choose from but also wins out when it comes to styles available. The Quince dress comes in eight versatile colors, but the Hill House has 25 colors and patterns. You can choose between classic solids like black or navy, preppy stripes, pretty florals and even holiday-perfect prints like plaids and tartans. There are also different silhouettes of the nap dress available at Hill House. You can choose between long-sleeved versions, mini skirt styles, and more. There are even special occasion styles like these tulle, lace or ribbon options.
Hill House vs Quince: Maintenance
Both styles are machine-washable but have to be air-dried flat. My Hill House dress is a few years old and still looks as good as new, so I can definitely vouch for its durability. While I've only had the Quince style for a few weeks now, it looks like it is just as durable. I've washed it a few times and it still looks and feels like it did when it first arrived.
Hill House vs Quince: The verdict
Both options were equal when it comes to comfort and fit, but Hill House reigns supreme when it comes to size range and the sheer amount of styles of nap dresses available. So I would definitely recommend the Hill House nap dress if you are looking for an interesting print or variation of the classic silhouette. But if you are just looking for a simple, solid color of the popular style, opt for the Quince version, it's less than half the price and looks almost exactly the same.
