J.Crew Has a Slew of Summer Work Dresses Your Coworkers Will Covet (and They're Up to 50% Off)

If you are always trying to strike the perfect balance of "office appropriate" and "cute enough for post-work patio drinks," this throw-on-and-go mini might be the solution. Allow me to explain: Thanks to its shirtdress silhouette, ruffled hem and puff sleeves, it's more elevated than your average summer dress, and provides just enough coverage for work (especially if you pair with tights). The striped print and pleating at the back also gives it some corporate flair, but as one buyer shares, it's still "so comfortable"–no doubt due to its loose, swingy fit. That, combined with the fact that it's made of 100 percent breathable cotton, surely means that you can don it all day and night with no complaints.

Equal parts elegant and professional, this drop-waist "mixy" dress (which is meant to fall somewhere between a midi and a maxi) will have you just as ready for that 9 a.m. meeting as it will for that 6 p.m. glass of rosé. Its mixed-media construction, featuring stretch cotton on top and crisp cotton poplin on the skirt, keeps it comfortable and airy, while pintuck details on the hem add an extra layer of visual interest. Plus, the thick straps and square neckline keep you covered, so you can don it sans cardigan.

Preppy, polished and available in this trendy butter yellow hue, this classic sheath dress is a workwear winner. It’s made of the brand's new luster canvas material (a blend of rayon and viscose), which one buyer confirms is "light and airy," so it's perfect for the summertime. Meanwhile, strategic seam details and a removable belt ensure a totally tailored look that just screams "boss mode." (Just note that it is dry-clean only.)

Guava pink is all the rage these days, and with this midi, you can be the first one in the office to rock it. (Ahem, did somebody say trendsetter?!) The smocking at the waist creates a cinched A-line silhouette (so flattering), while the not-too-low-V-neck lets you breathe without risking a wardrobe malfunction. Just take it from this reviewer: "I wore this dress during a business meeting and received a flurry of compliments. The color is STUNNING! The fit is perfect and designed for all body types." And if you plan on wearing it for dinner al fresco? The light ramie fabric (an alternative to linen) should keep you feeling nice and cool in the summer air.

Boasting a high, gathered neckline that can be worn on or off the shoulders, along with a removable tie belt that can take it from beachy and billowing to tailored business casual, this style is practically two dresses in one. It also features button cuffs and a darling lace trim on the hem that will make it feel dressy, no matter which way you style it. That said, I would secure it in this dreamy blue color while it's marked down by nearly $150.

While this chic cotton and elastane dress isn't included in the sale, I'd say it's worth the splurge even at full price. Why? Well, let's start with that high-end design—featuring pintuck pleating along the waist and a swishy skirt—that makes you look snatched and relaxed in all the right places. It's just modest enough to wear at work, and sophisticated enough to go straight to a client dinner after. As one buyer explains, "It's so hard to find long summer dresses that don't have a low or plunging neckline, but this one is beautifully modest and the material is high quality and cool for summer." Like I said, worth it.

The long, breezy length of this ramie shirtdress makes it work just as well as a throw-on-and-go vacation fit as it does for a casual summer Friday in the office. The shirred elastic waist with a drawtie? It doesn't just make the style look more elevated than your average shirtdress, it also allows you to adjust the fit to perfection. As if it can't get any better, the machine-washable wonder features a full-coverage slip lining—and pockets!

Between its lightweight luster canvas material and oh-so-classy silhouette, this midi might have you feeling like the Kate Middleton of the office; I mean, it'll certainly have you looking like her. It even comes with a belt so you can look extra put-together for those important meetings. But here's why one shopper doesn't regret buying it: "The cut is elegant and super flattering without feeling too fussy. It drapes nicely and moves well, making it an easy choice for both work and evening events." And at this price? It's hard not to be sold.

Linen is the ideal fabric for a summer frock—take it from me, someone who's obsessed with the airy material. Needless to say, you can't go wrong with this vest-like linen number, finished with a button front, V-neckline and a tie detail at the back, which can take the style from straight and body-skimming on a weekday to cinched-in and flirty at on the weekend.

Made of organic cotton, this striped style is both on-trend and eco-friendly, not to mention fabulously floaty (which you'll love on those especially sweltering days). One reviewer shares, "For reference, I am 5'2, 120 pounds, and it reached my ankles. Very nice fabric, very easy to dress up or down." What they didn't mention is that the lightweight dress has pockets (!) and a pretty bow tie at the back. Though the spaghetti straps and low back may be too risqué for some workplaces, you can simply slip on a cropped cardigan and call it a day.