Designing the perfect summer staple (lightweight but not flimsy, airy but not itsy-bitsy) is a tough job — but someone’s gotta do it.

Marisa Swystun’s the dame for the deed. The School of the Art Institute grad’s hand-painted kimonos, pictured here, are ridiculously versatile, machine washable, and tricked out with striking X-ray- and Rorschach-like patterns.

The rest of her new summer line has a ’60s vibe (vibrant, figure-grazing shifts; vintage fabrics), mixing skilled draping with delightfully kooky brocades and elaborate embroidery. Brave the heat in an asymmetrical batwing minidress or a fringy mustard tunic. At night, try the sculpted-bodice halter dress with exposed back zipper and crinkled gauze bubble hem (to the knee or ankle).

Swystun also designs scarves and shawls. So come winter, candidates need not apply.

Available at Krista K, 3458 North Southport Avenue, at Cornelia Avenue (773-248-1967 or kristak.com); Koros, 1039 West Lake Street, between Carpenter and Aberdeen Streets (312-738-0155 or korosartandstyle.com), $50-$700. To see styles, go to marisaswystun.com. For an appointment at Swystun’s studio, call 212-909-9982.

Photo: Courtesy of Marisa Swystun

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