Are you searching for words to describe summer clothes in your writing? Feel free to use the following 10!
1. Sleeveless
Definition
A garment with no fabric covering the arms, either because it has straps or nothing holding it to the shoulders at all.
Examples
“Her new sleeveless shirt kept her arms cool in the summer heatwave.”
“He couldn’t wait to wear his sleeveless muscle shirt on the beach so that everyone could see how much work he’d put into his arms.
How it Adds Description
By describing the summer clothes as sleeveless, you are showing the reader that the characters are wearing clothes suited for hot weather, like a tank top or a strapless dress. This may also be true if your characters are the type to want to show off their muscular arms or shoulders.
2. Loose
Definition
Flowing away from the body, not tight or form-fitting.
Examples
“The loose fabric swished around my body as I moved.”
“My beach dress was loose enough that it didn’t cling to me even after I had laid out in the sun all day.”
How it Adds Description
Loose clothing suggests fabric that flows away from the body to help the heat and sweat evaporate quickly. Describing the summer clothes as loose shows the characters maybe don’t feel comfortable in the hot weather and want to wear clothes that keep them cool.
3. Comfortable
Definition
Providing physical ease through not being too tight or too thick in fabric.
Examples
“The summer shorts he wore looked really comfortable, no matter what the weather was like.”
“My favorite part of summer clothes is how comfortable they are; winter clothes are so heavy and unmovable.”
How it Adds Description
Summer clothes keep you cool by allowing a freedom of movement around your body. Using comfortable to describe your character’s summer clothes shows that they want to enjoy themselves in the hot weather and are wearing clothes that feel good rather than just look stylish.
4. Breathable
Definition
Thin fabric that allows air to flow through easily, often providing a release of hot air from the skin.
Examples
“Even though the uniform was heavy for summer clothes, the fabric was breathable enough to keep him comfortable running around outside.
“Don’t wear cotton in the summer as it is one of the least breathable fabrics and will cause you to feel hot no matter what you do; try polyester instead.”
How it Adds Description
To keep a person cool, skin needs to have space to dispel the body’s internal heat quickly. Describing the clothes as breathable shows that the characters are choosing clothes that keep them cool, like linen trousers or sundresses.
5. Lightweight
Definition
Fabric so thin that it has little weight to it when worn.
Examples
“Her dress was so lightweight that she felt almost as if she weren’t wearing anything at all.”
“I love how lightweight my new shirt is! I am never too warm when I wear it.”
How it Adds Description
In order to be loose and breathable, most fabric used for summer clothes is quite light. This is because thicker, heavier fabrics tend to trap heat and, depending on where the character is, that could be even worse than just dealing with hot weather.
6. Moisture-wicking
Definition
Fabric that pulls sweat and other moisture away from the skin and quickly dries it.
Examples
“My running gear works so well in the summer because it’s moisture-wicking, which keeps me cool regardless of how long the run is.”
“The company developed a full-length, moisture-wicking body suit for wearing in the water or outside so that everyone can do fun summer activities, even if they don’t want to show their skin.”
How it Adds Description
Because people sweat a lot in the hot weather, it’s important to wear clothes that pull that sweat away from the skin and evaporate it quickly. Using moisture-wicking to describe your character’s clothes shows that they are about to participate in an activity that needs their skin to stay dry and cool in the hot weather, like running or swimming.
7. Breezy
Definition
Fabric that flows or moves easily and allows air to flow through it.
Examples
“Her skirt was so breezy that it swooshed around her whenever she moved.”
“My grandpa’s linen pants always looked so breezy and light that I started wearing some of my own every summer.”
How it Adds Description
Breezy is a lot like loose in that it evokes images of clothes that move easily and aren’t too tight. Describing your character’s clothes as breezy shows the characters want to stay warm but maybe still want to feel a bit stylish, too.
8. Beachy
Definition
- Suitable for a hot day at the beach because it is loose, breezy, and lightweight.
- Flows in waves like water at the beach.
Examples
“The baby looked so beachy dressed in shorts, a loose shirt, and big sunhat.”
“The print on his favorite Hawaiian shirt was so beachy that everyone who saw it immediately wanted to visit one.”
How it Adds Description
Summer means beach visits, so describing the clothes as beachy shows that the characters are heading to hot weather and sand. Think Hawaiian shirts and bathing suit dresses.
9. Thin
Definition
- Having little material from one side to the other.
- Not solid or thick in size.
- Lacking in substance.
Examples
“The fabric of her dress was so thin that she almost always had to wear something underneath it.”
“His favorite t-shirt to wear in the summer had a thin fabric that kept him cool.”
How it Adds Description
Thin is a lot like lightweight in that it describes summer clothes as having very little fabric to it. Describing a character’s summer clothing as thin suggest that they are in a really hot climate and want to wear as little fabric as possible.
10. Bright
Definition
- Having vivid or intense colors.
- Upbeat, perky.
Examples
“She often wears bright clothes in the summer because she loved celebrating the sun and fun summer always brings.”
“Summer clothes are often bright because brighter, lighter colors help bounce the sun’s rays away from your skin.”
How it Adds Description
Bright helps to define the color of the summer clothes more than the type of fabric or fit they are. Using bright to describe a character’s summer clothes could reflect their happiness in the sun since the color of the clothes we wear often reflect our mood at the time.