Nicole Bridger’s drape-y Strength dress can rock summer from morning to night with simply a change in footwear.

No summer wardrobe is complete without the quintessential easy, breezy go-to frock you can either dress down with flip-flops or dress up with strappy sandals.

True, you always have the option to stock up on disposable, skimpy, fast-fashion rags that disintegrate after one wash. But if you want to achieve that elusive Eurochic-ness that combines a little ’50s-era Brigitte Bardot sex appeal with some au courant Charlotte Gainsbourg indie cred, you’re better off investing in one great quality piece that will carry you through an entire season of weekend getaways and every kind of outdoor gathering under the sun.

But where to find such a perfectly pretty, ready-to-wear garment that can take you from day to night and still meet all those requirements? It is, after all, a tall order for women living outside of France. Well, it just so happens that Vancouver is home to a bevy of fashion designers who have mad skills when it comes to making this exact kind of summer dress. Here, then, are our top-five picks.

Flux Dress by We3
You gotta love a dress that’s sustainable, curve-friendly, and versatile. Designed by a trio of local talent (Glencora Twigg, Jessica Vaira, and Christine Hotton), the We3 triple-threat Flux dress (which comes in black, blue, red, and light grey, and goes for $196 at Twigg & Hottie) has all the bases covered. For starters, the pleated back waist and midriff panel on this stretchy standout make for a very flattering, very forgiving fit. As well, it’s cut from a mix of bamboo and organic cotton, making it eco-friendly. And finally, with the sexy neckline, you can go stone-cold fox with some heels for a night out on the town. Or, conversely, you can do more of a day-chic look with some flats and spend a sunny afternoon at your favourite outdoor market. All you really need is a big, fat, crusty baguette sticking out of your woven tote et voilí !

Caressa Dress by Dace
Oops. Pardonnez-moi but, can you say accidentally sexy? Getting that “I’m not trying to be ooh la la; I just am” look isn’t easy. But if you sport the unassuming spag-strapped Dace Caressa ($188), which comes in a retro-inspired faded stripe print, that’s exactly what you’ll achieve. The elastic waist makes for a soft, feminine silhouette. Meanwhile, the totally casual front pockets add that je ne sais quoi understated thang Frenchwomen seem to pull off so effortlessly. And the best part? Accessorizing this cotton cutie, which you can pick up at Violet Boutique (3012 Granville Street), is a cinch. In fact, all you really need are a pair of nude sandals, an Italian scooter, and some unkempt hair, and you’re good to go.

The Strength Dress by Nicole Bridger
Looking for a little urban sophistication, but not at the expense of comfort? Made in a bamboo/organic-cotton jersey with a bit of stretch, Nicole Bridger’s knee-length Strength dress ($230 at Twigg & Hottie [3671 Main Street] and Tenth & Proper [4483 West 10th Avenue]) might just be the dress for you. It’s a great all-purpose “summer in the city” outfit for the ever-so-slightly fashion-forward set. With loose button-up sleeves and a matching belt, you can rock this drape-y little number in a casual but classy day setting with your favourite dressy sandals (think gold gladiators!). Then, come early eve, kick out some peep-toe pumps and wear it in blue, fog, or black to crash the nearest cinq í  sept function you can find. It’s got patio-served canapés and bubbly written all over it.

Beach Ave. Dress By Allison Wonderland
Local designer Allison Smith really nailed it with her totally adorable cotton, belted, slightly swingy Beach Ave. Dress ($184); it comes in a silver, grey, and blue plaid, as well as a yellow and a teal pattern at Dream Apparel (311 West Cordova Street), Little Dream (the Net Loft on Granville Island), Hum (3623 Main Street), and Tenth & Proper (4483 West 10th Avenue). Sweet with a capital S and decked out with two oversized front pockets, this summer dress is practically screaming for an ice cream date. And if you don’t have one lined up, sashay down just about any Vancouver street that boasts a lot of walking traffic and I guarantee you’ll have men macking on yo’ cute self. In fact, this flirty frock might just be the male-magnet sleeper of the summer. Trí¨s mignon.

SaltSpring Dress by Cherry Blossom Design
A romantically inspired number, Cherry Blossom’s pointy-hemmed, scoop-necked Saltspring design ($120) comes in black, raspberry, eggplant, and teal and boasts a wildflower patch on the front. It’s just the thing to throw on before heading out for a lazy weekend brunch. Why? Well, you can go to town on your eggs Benny without worrying about bloating up because the weighty bamboo-rayon jersey flows out from the form-fitting bustline and just skims the tummy. And when the sun goes down, you can pair this fancy-free frock—(available at Portobello West [www.portobellowest.com/] and Barefoot Contessa (3715 Main Street)—with some beat-up old Frye boots and a jean jacket. In short, it’s the perfect alt-country outfit for a weeknight concert at Malkin Bowl or Deer Lake Park. Ahhh, summer.