St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17 every year. It commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and honours St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. On this festive day, people come together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. One of the most iconic symbols of St. Patrick’s Day is the colour green.
Why Green?
The colour green is strongly associated with St. Patrick’s Day for a few key reasons:
- Green represents Ireland and Irish pride. Ireland is lovingly referred to as the “Emerald Isle” due to its lush, green countryside.
- Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock plant to explain the Holy Trinity. The shamrock is a green plant associated with Ireland.
- Green symbolizes spring, rebirth, and new beginnings, fitting for a day celebrating the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
So wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day shows honor and respect for Irish cultural heritage. It immediately identifies you as someone celebrating this festive holiday.
Shades of Green
When it comes to green apparel on St. Patrick’s Day, anything goes! From minty pastels to deep hunter greens, all shades are welcome. Here are some of the most popular green colours people wear to celebrate:
- Kelly Green – A bright, vivid green named after an Irish surname. It’s quintessential St. Patrick’s Day attire.
- Emerald Green – A rich, jewel-toned green. Emerald gems were mined in Ireland for centuries.
- Forest Green – A darker green reminiscent of lush Irish forests and countryside.
- Lime Green – A light, cheerful green that evokes the coming of spring.
- Olive Green – An earthy, natural green tone seen in military uniforms.
Whether you choose a solid green shirt, flashy green leggings, or a patterned green accessory, any green hue pays homage to Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day.
Beyond Basic Green
You don’t have to wear head-to-toe green to get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Consider accessorizing a neutral outfit with a green scarf, hat, bracelet or other statement piece. Some other ways to incorporate green into your St. Patrick’s Day look include:
- A green pin or brooch on a coat or jacket
- Green socks peeking out above shoes
- Green face paint, eyeshadow or lipstick
- A green wig, hat, or fun headband
- Green beads or shoelaces
- Painting your nails a bright green
Or get creative by wearing green in unexpected ways! Green hair, green makeup, a green pet costume – anything goes. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it.
Mixing Greens
Feel free to mix various shades of green for a more dynamic St. Patrick’s Day look. For example:
- Pair a kelly green shirt with an emerald green skirt
- Wear lime green face paint with a forest green hat
- Don an olive green jacket over a minty green dress
Mixing bright greens with deeper greens creates visual interest. You can also layer green with complementary colours like:
- White – Crisp and neutral, white makes greens pop
- Yellow – Cheery yellow accents liven up green hues
- Blue – Cool blues complement warm greens nicely
So feel free to get creative and showcase your Irish spirit by mixing greens and other colours on St. Patrick’s Day!
What Not to Wear
Are there colours you should avoid wearing on St. Patrick’s Day? Here are some hues that aren’t quite in the Irish spirit:
- Orange – Represents a competing Irish faction
- Red – Seen as a British colour
- Blue – Associated with other patron saints
However, these colours don’t have to be totally shunned. You can tastefully incorporate small accents of them into a mostly green outfit. Just avoid wearing them head-to-toe, as they detract from the Irish theme of St. Patrick’s Day.
Outfit Inspiration
Need some outfit ideas for St. Patrick’s Day? Here are six green ensemble suggestions:
| Look | Description |
| Emerald queen | Emerald green dress with gold jewelry |
| Lucky charm | Green sweater with white skirt and clover barrettes |
| Leprechaun realness | Green suit, bowler hat, shamrock pins |
| Green with envy | Green pantsuit with green heels |
| Pinch me, I’m Irish! | Olive lace top, mint jeans, green chucks |
| Kiss me, I’m Irish! | Green shirtdress with white belt and green lipstick |
Use these as inspiration when planning your festive green outfit. Have fun with different green hues, accessories, and makeup!
Green Outfits Through the Years
Green fashion on St. Patrick’s Day has evolved over time. Here’s a look at how green outfits have changed decade to decade:
| Decade | Popular Green Styles |
| 1910s | Emerald day dresses, green gloves |
| 1920s | Emerald flapper dresses, long green beads |
| 1930s | Mint day suits, green felt hats |
| 1940s | Olive military inspired looks, green scarves |
| 1950s | Green circle skirts, lime cardigans |
| 1960s | Green shift dresses, kelly tights |
| 1970s | Green bellbottoms, emerald rompers |
| 1980s | Green jumpsuits, neon green accessories |
| 1990s | Forest overalls, lime mini skirts |
| 2000s | Green hoodies, green Vans sneakers |
| 2010s | Green leggings, kelly green nails |
As you can see, green has been a staple of St. Patrick’s Day fashion for over a century! Continue the tradition this year with your own festive green outfit.
Green Fashion for Men
Guys can easily get in on the green fun on St. Patrick’s Day too! For men, classic green choices include:
- Green dress shirt and tie
- Green suit or sports coat
- Green trousers
- Green top hat or bowler hat
- Green socks
- Green cufflinks or pins
Or take inspiration from leprechauns with:
- Green vest and bowtie
- Green top hat
- Green buckle shoes
Men can also accessorize a neutral outfit with a green scarf, pocket square, or shamrock boutonniere. Getting decked out in green, whether subtly or boldly, is a fun way for guys to honour Irish heritage.
Green Fashion for Kids
For children and toddlers, cute green outfit ideas include:
- Green dresses or jumpers
- Green tights or leggings
- Green bows, flowers, or barrettes
- Green face paint
- Green baseball caps
- Green light-up shoes
Babies look adorable in:
- Green onesies
- Green booties
- Green bibs
- Green knit hats
From head-to-toe green outfits to just a hint of green, kids’ St. Patrick’s Day fashions are full of Irish charm!
Green Pet Attire
Don’t leave your furry friends out of the St. Patrick’s Day fun! Consider:
- Pet bandanas in green prints
- Green pet sweaters or hoodies
- Green collars with shamrocks
- Green pet toys
- Temporary green pet fur dye
Make sure any green attire is safe and comfortable for your pet to wear. Having your dog or cat sport some green will make for some very cute St. Patrick’s Day photos!
Conclusion
Green is the quintessential colour of St. Patrick’s Day. From kelly greens to minty pastels, any shade goes when celebrating Irish pride. Mix various greens together or pair them with white, yellow, or blue for a festive outfit. Accessorize with green makeup, wigs, or hats for over-the-top Irish flair. Whether you go subtle or bold with green accents, this lively colour lets you pay tribute to the Emerald Isle on St. Patrick’s Day. So don your green glad rags and get ready to party!