TL;DR: These five types of dresses are the capsule wardrobe you need to survive summer in style.

Don’t stress—here are 5 dresses from JCPenney that will get you through summer without asking What should I wear? Because when your calendar is booked and busy, you don’t want to waste time looking for an outfit for every BBQ, grad party, wedding or weekend getaway. So here are the five kinds of dresses you’ll need…and the cute accessories to pair with them. And since you can get them all at jcp.com, it’s just 1 order, for 5 dresses, for 90+ days of summer. That’s a girl math win!  

1. Casual dresses that make you the main character at every and destination.

It’s summer, which means you’re looking for easy pasta salad recipes and fun trips you can take in a weekend. And what do you need for those parties and plans? Casual. Dresses.

The easy, packable, “just throw one on and you’ll look cute” kind of dresses. These are our faves:

St. John’s Bay Sleeveless Maxi Dress

This stunning blue color is a summer statement. But we’re really obsessed with the 100% cotton, uber-comfy fabric—ideal for long travel days with lots of scenic stops.

52Seven Floral Shift Dress

This colorful, breezy dress is perfect for hosting the kind of backyard BBQ your friends will talk about all summer.

Pair either dress with these simple accessories for an effortlessly put-together look:
- Silver Reflections 14k Gold over brass hoops

- MIA Girl Zonia Wedge sandals

Plus, RMS SunCoverup acts as a skin tint + SPF, and rosé all day by CLEAN is our go-to for a super fresh body mist.

2. Chic cocktail dresses that will turn heads in .

LPT: Yes, these work for cocktail and semi-formal dress codes! Colorful yet elegant, these are the kinds of dresses you’ll want in your closet for all the summer weddings, parties, and fancy date nights.

Fall head-over-heels (and pick up a pair of those, too!) for these chic styles and pick your fave, from classic A-line to flowy sheath:

Premier Amour Sweetheart Floral Gown

This peachy, pleated dress is ready to move with you from the ceremony to the dance floor. A flowy skirt and spaghetti straps keep you cool for any outdoor festivities!

Worthington Halter Neck Maxi Dress

This elegant, draping dress makes a simple silhouette feel oh-so bold. For your fanciest summer plans, play it cool with a cotton-linen blend.

Complete your evening look with some sparkling accessories:

- I. Miller Vanora Heeled Sandals

- Sparkle Allure Cubic Zirconia 14K Gold over brass Tennis Bracelet

And to lock your slick-back bun in place or keep your curls from frizzing, you can count on the IGK Good Behavior Friss & Flyaway taming wand.

3. Summer office-friendly dresses for a statement.

These belted dresses are designed for those days when your commute is sweltering, but the office is a tundra (classic). They hit every mark on the checklist of workwear must’s: lightweight, flattering, professional and fashionable:

Worthington Olive Green Tie Belt Shirt Dress

This fun patterned dress uses a belt to make the more casual shirt dress style desk-ready. Plus, the short sleeves are on the longer side, so you won’t be freezing if you forget your office cardigan. (PSA – this also comes in a matching set, if you’re looking for a weekend vibe!)

Liz Claiborne Midi Short Sleeve Dress

This gorgeous burnt orange fabric features a notched V-neck and sash belt, two details that elevate it from an everyday dress to an “I want to wear this every day” dress. It’s just begging to be added in to your work week rotation.

Tie it all together with some chic accessories:

- Liz Claiborne 50th Anniversary Collar Necklace and Drop Earrings

- Easy Street Shalee Heeled Sandals

Don’t let the dreaded “office air” get to your makeup! Make sure to set it with the flawless KimChi Chic Beauty Mini Me Puff Puff Pass.

4. Hit your step goal (or the court!) in these active dresses

TIL: Workout dresses really are that girl. When you’re running around to camp pick-ups and playdates, you squeeze in a workout whenever you can. Or maybe all that running is the workout. In this heat, you’ll totally break a sweat. That’s where the active dress comes in:

Xersion Sleeveless Tennis Dress

This girly bubble skirt means business, with built-in shorts and smooth-stretch jersey. It’s not just here to play, it’s here to win—whether you’re a pickleball pro or just out for a jog.

adidas Short Sleeve T-Shirt Dress

This comfy T-Shirt dress has it all. The iconic adidas stripes, 93% cotton fabric and an easy pullover fit. It’s ready for walks in the park or on the beach (or running to catch the ice cream truck!).  

Kick it up a notch with some sporty accessories:

- Everything looks good with Nike sneakers

- Match your best time with the Amitron Connect Chronograph Black Smartwatch

 Make it a habit to always apply Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen with SPF 50, aka the best preventative skincare there is.

5. And for those in , we’ve got you covered!

Your summer calendar is booked because their summer calendar is booked, so make sure you’ve got their closet stocked ahead of time.

Bonnie Jean Purple A-Line Dress

To be fair, everything looks adorable in a size 3T, but this purple tulle moment is a mini showstopper! It’s the perfect dress to have on hand for family events, photos and parties.  

Bonnie Jean Floral Maxi Dress

This flowy, floral dress is made for tweens who know what’s trending and want in on the fashion fun. For “moving up” ceremonies (or, really, graduations) and summer weddings, this sleeveless dress is the perfect pick.

For a finishing touch, try these accessories:

- Pop makes colorful sandals that are as comfy as they are cute!

-The Cappelli Floppy Hat is an adorable way to block the sun’s rays.

And don’t get caught in a knot! Toss the Wet Brush Mini Sugar Rush Detangler Brush in your bag (or theirs) to smooth & shine on-the-go.

It can feel like these months fly by faster each year, and we know every moment of summer fun matters. Don’t waste time hunting for a deal or debating over the ‘right’ kind of dress. Grab your go-to 5 at JCPenney right now, for the right price, and spend your summer being glad you did.

And here’s a hot tip for you…if you’re not already a member, join JCPenney Rewards at jcp.com/rewards, and you can get a $10 CashPass Reward, just for signing up!

Yes, JCPenney.