Taming curly hair for the summer, help?

Ok, so i kinda have a problem. I have really long African American type hair. I'm 5'7 and it reaches to the bottom of my ribs (i guess they would be the bottom, right?). So yeah....its kinda long. Anyways, since its getting hot outside my hair is getting puffy. And i honestly dont want to have to straighten it all summer. But my only other option is to where it wet/curly. I hate it that way......sooo much. When i wash my hair it gets big and curly. It just looks weird to me. I dont like big hair. But i dont want to abuse the crap out of my hair all summer with the flat iron. So i decided to do the curls ONLY if there is a way i can tame them and still make it look cute........Help?