Best Summer Sports, and What to Wear When Playing
Camaraderie, teamwork, fresh air, and fun are all benefits of playing summer sports—not to mention the health benefits of being active in general. Summertime doesn’t last long enough in many parts of the country, so making the most of it is important. You don’t have to be a professional either. Even trying out a sport for the first time is a great way to find a new hobby or just have some fun in the sun. So grab your sunscreen, a bottle of water, and some of the best summer sportswear to help you play and look your best.
Basketball
Even if it’s just a game of horse in the driveway, playing basketball is a fun way to get some exercise with friends or family. And the competition factor is great as well, as it encourages you to push your limits. Keep in mind that there will be lots of jumping and reaching for the basket, so you’ll want a pair of women’s shorts with an elastic waistband and a drawstring for adjustability. It doesn’t matter what type of T-shirt you wear, as long as you’re comfortable. As for the footwear, if you don’t have official basketball shoes, any shoes you wear for cross-training or running will do.
Baseball
For baseball or softball, you’ll need a group of people. Although baseball officially requires a minimum of nine people per team, that doesn’t mean you need 18 people; there’s always room for improvisation. In fact, you can easily get away with a casual game of baseball with three people per team. For the outfield, that means one pitcher, one catcher, and one person out in the field to catch the balls hit by the other team. For the batting team, you just need three batters to take turns. Obviously more is better, but you can still have fun with the bare minimum.
As far as what to wear, it depends on how active you are. If you plan on sliding into the bases, you might even want to wear some women’s jeans to protect your knees. Otherwise, some shorts that you can run in and a regular T-shirt will be a home run for your day.
Volleyball
Volleyball is another great summertime sport. All you need is a net, a volleyball, and at least one other person. What you wear for volleyball will depend on where you’re playing. If you’re at a park or in the backyard, some sneakers, a T-shirt, and active women’s shorts are fine. If it’s the beach, you don’t need shoes at all. And you might even want to play in a tankini with swim shorts instead of regular clothes. That way you can just jump into the water when you need to cool off.
Tennis
Tennis is another great sport for summertime. With a court reserved, a racket, some tennis balls, and a sporty outfit, you’ll be ready to hit the court and get a good cardio session in. Women typically wear tennis skorts and a close-fitting top. A sleeveless polo shirt that’s specially made for sports is great too, as it resists perspiration and wicks moisture away. Tennis outfits are known for being cute and can easily take you from the court to drinking mimosas at brunch.
Swimming
Did you know that you can burn as many calories swimming the front crawl in a half-hour as you would running? Plus, swimming is a low-impact sport, so it’s great if you have bad knees. But you’ll need a swimsuit that can help you move through the water with ease. A one-piece swimsuit or tankini is ideal, as long as it has straps that stay put and it is devoid of frills and ruffles that could get in the way or slow you down. Whether swimming outdoors or indoors, jumping into the pool and getting a half-hour of laps in is a refreshing and invigorating summer sport.
Golf
You can’t talk about summer sports and forget about golf. Whether it's a quick nine holes or a full 18, walking around the golf course and swinging some clubs is a sport that you can play by yourself or with up to four people total. Because it is such a classic, highly respected sport, some golf courses do have dress codes. Shorts or skorts that reach the length of the fingertips when your arms are down are typically OK. Some skirts are specifically made for golf and should take away any guesswork while shopping. Khaki pants are also smart choices. However, jeans, sweatpants, and yoga pants aren’t typically permitted on the golf course.
Whatever summer sports you plan on giving a shot this summer, remember the sunscreen and a bottle of water. Now get out there and have some fun!