Must-Haves to Pack If You’re Traveling for St. Patrick’s Day

**Collaborative Post** 

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most exciting holidays of the year, especially if you’re traveling to a destination that’s known for its parades, festivals, and lively atmosphere. Whether you’re planning on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in New York, Dublin, Chicago, or any other city that goes all out for this occasion, you need to be 100% prepared for what’s coming, and that includes not only your usual essentials, but a few stylish things as well. 

If you want to make sure that you’re blending in with the crowd and making the most out of your trip, here are the most important must-haves to pack when traveling for St. Patrick’s Day.

A Green Outfit

One of the most important things to pack for a St. Patrick’s Day trip is a green-themed outfit, but don’t worry, you don’t need to try and fit an entire leprechaun costume into your suitcase. Green is traditionally associated with St. Patrick and Ireland, symbolizing national pride and bringing good luck. Plus, wearing green helps you avoid getting pinched, a popular holiday tradition! Depending on how you plan on celebrating on March 17th, it’s best to pack a mix of casual and dressy green clothing to match different events throughout your trip. For instance, if you want to attend a parade or go out for drinks, a basic green t-shirt or a sweater will get the job done, but if you’re heading to a party or a more upscale event, it’s better to pack a stylish button-up or a blazer in deep green.

A Festive Hat

No St. Patrick’s Day outfit is complete without a festive hat, and the best way to top off your green outfit is obviously by getting an authentic Irish themed hat. Luckily, there are hundreds of options available, whether you prefer a classic plaid Irish flat cap, a green baseball headpiece, or a playful oversized hat with leprechauns and shamrocks for those who want to go all in with their St. Patrick’s Day outfit. ShamrockGift is the best place to get your festive Irish hats, and they have designs for both men and women, so you can even get matching headpieces if you’re traveling with your significant other! These hats are not only stylish but also practical for outdoor events, keeping you warm if you’re in a cooler climate, and they don’t take up almost any space in your luggage.

A Pair of Comfortable Shoes

Every trip includes a lot of walking, but on St. Patrick’s Day, when a parade can take anywhere from three to five or even six hours, a comfortable pair of shoes becomes the most essential part of your outfit. Make sure to pack a pair that you’ve already worn for a long time, so that you can be 100% sure that the shoes will keep your feet happy throughout the day and won’t give you blisters. Sneakers are usually the best idea, but you can also consider ankle boots if you plan on going to a bar or a dinner immediately after the parade. And no, they don’t have to be green!

A (Green) Waterproof Jacket

St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17th, and depending on your destination, the early spring weather can be quite unpredictable. If you’re heading to Ireland or a northern city like Chicago, you better expect cool temperatures and potential rain, no matter what the weather forecast says. To prevent the unexpected weather from ruining your trip, pack a lightweight waterproof jacket that folds easily and can fit in any backpack. This way, you can carry it around with no problem and it can become your life savior in case the skies decide to bucket down. Bonus points if the jacket is green, so you won’t have to “break the character” regardless of the weather!