A modest hoodie dress is a long-sleeve, midi-length dress with a hood and a front pocket, made in a soft knit so it covers like a dress and feels like a sweatshirt. The Nuggles Hoodie Dress is 44 inches long, made from a brushed sweater-knit fleece (60% rayon, 35% polyester, 5% spandex), and comes in sizes S through 3XL.
There is a stretch of fall when a coat feels like too much and a regular dress feels too thin. The hoodie dress fits right there. It is the thing you put on when you want to be warm, covered, and done getting dressed in about thirty seconds, and it does not look like you gave up. If you have been wearing a sweatshirt over a skirt and wishing it were one piece, this is that.
Four new prints joined the lineup this month, so this guide covers what a hoodie dress is, what makes it modest, how it fits, and how to wear it from school pickup to church potlucks.
What Makes a Hoodie Dress Modest?
A hoodie dress is modest when the cut does the covering: long sleeves, a closed neckline, and a hem that falls at the midi length instead of the knee. The Nuggles version has all three, plus a knit with some weight to it.
Long sleeves and a covered neckline
Sleeves run the full length of the arm, and the hood sits at the neck, so there is nothing to adjust or pull up during the day. If you are looking for more long sleeve options, the modest long sleeve dresses collection has plenty beyond the hoodie style.
A 44-inch midi length
The hoodie dress measures 44 inches. Where that lands depends on your height, so if you want to work it out for your own body, our guide on how a modest dress should fit shows how dress length is measured and how to find your own number. The dress also has a side slit above a banded hem, which keeps the skirt from restricting your stride. Browse more lengths in midi dresses.
Soft, stretchy fabric
The knit is brushed on the inside, which is where the softness comes from. It has a little stretch from the 5% spandex, so it moves with you when you are sitting, driving, or picking things up off the floor.
The New Hoodie Dress Prints
Four prints released this month, all printed edge to edge across the body, sleeves, and pocket. Here is what each one looks like.
Daisy Moon
Big white daisies with golden centers on a soft black ground. It reads dressy for a hoodie, and the black background keeps it easy to pair with boots and a dark coat.
Garden Party
Little bows and garden florals in blue, pink, sage, and gold on a soft cream ground. This is the lightest of the four, and the one to choose if you want your hoodie dress to look a little more put together.
Candy Lane
A dense patchwork of little squares, with florals, geometrics, and stripes in bright mixed colors. Because the print is busy, it works best with plain shoes and no extra layers on top.
Classic Leopard
Tan-and-black leopard spots on a warm camel ground. Leopard works as a neutral in a lot of closets, so it goes with the browns and blacks you already own.
Solids and two-tone prints
If you would rather keep it simple, the hoodie dress also comes in solid Black, Teal Green, Brick Red, and Light Navy, plus two-tone prints that pair a solid body with a coordinating print on the sleeves and pocket. You can see everything together in the Comfy & Cozy collection.
How to Wear a Hoodie Dress
For everyday errands and school pickup
Ankle boots or clean sneakers, and you are finished. The front pocket holds a phone and keys, which saves carrying a bag on short trips.
For colder days
Add a coat, cardigan, or jacket over the top, or put tights or leggings underneath. A slip under any dress gives you an extra layer of coverage and keeps the skirt from catching on tights. More ideas live in our layering essentials.
For church and gatherings
Choose a print like Garden Party or Daisy Moon, wear it with flats or low boots, and leave the hood down. Dressier occasions are better served by the church dresses, but a hoodie dress works well for casual services, small groups, and fellowship dinners.
For working from home or the classroom
If your day is chairs, floors, and little hands, the stretch and the pocket earn their place. We cover more outfits like this in our modest work outfits guide.
Hoodie Dress Sizing and Fit
The hoodie dress runs true to size with a relaxed fit, and the price is the same in every size from S through 3XL. The model on the product page is 5'7" and wears a size M. There is a size chart on each product page, and a note that small variations from the chart can happen in manufacturing. If you want a roomier feel, you can size up. If you want the fit shown, choose your usual size.
The hoodie dress is tagged maternity friendly in our shop, thanks to the stretch knit and relaxed cut. You can browse maternity friendly dresses and plus size dresses for more options in the same easy fits.
Hoodie Dress Questions
Is a hoodie dress modest?
Yes. A hoodie dress covers the arms to the wrist, closes at the neck, and falls at a midi length. The Nuggles hoodie dress is 44 inches long and cut with a relaxed fit instead of a close one.
How long is the Nuggles hoodie dress?
It is 44 inches long, with a side slit above the banded hem. Check it against your own height using the length steps in our dress fit guide.
What is a hoodie dress made of?
A brushed sweater-knit fleece that is 60% rayon, 35% polyester, and 5% spandex. It is soft and fuzzy on the inside, with a little stretch.
How do I wash a hoodie dress?
The product page says to machine wash on a gentle cycle or hand wash, and to air dry only. Keeping it out of the dryer is the best way to protect the knit.
What size hoodie dress should I order?
Most women will do best with their usual size, since it runs true to size with a relaxed fit. Sizes run S to 3XL, and the size chart on the product page lists the measurements.
What can I wear under a hoodie dress?
A slip, leggings, or tights all work, depending on the weather and how much coverage you like. A long sleeve tee underneath adds warmth on the coldest days. See our long sleeve tees.
Find Your Hoodie Dress
We started Nuggles in 2013 because modest clothes were hard to find and harder to afford, and the hoodie dress is one of the pieces we are happiest to have made. Take a look at the Comfy & Cozy collection, or browse modest fall dresses and modest winter dresses to see what else is ready for the cooler months. If you like knits, our guide to modest sweater sets and knit tops is a good next read. We are so glad you are here.
