Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and I’m fascinated by the American convention of wearing green for this holiday. Do the Irish themselves do it, I wonder? And is there any other holiday when a certain color is considered a requirement? When I was in elementary school, it was common practice to pinch those who weren’t wearing green.
I guess Laura Bush did not have much choice when she met the Irish Prime Minister on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004. In her late fifties here, she wears a crisp suit in the color most associated with the holiday, a kelly Green. It looks good on her, but not on everyone. If you have to wear green, I say, find your own shade. That bunch of shamrocks offers many more possibilities.
Ha – never was pinched for not wearing green here on St Patricks day – it was a ‘thing’ when I was a child to wear something green (often just a ribbon in your hair or more if you had it) and over the years its become bigger and bling-ier (but what hasn’t)-ultimately I often think its associated with ‘rebel’ songs like ‘the wearing of the green’.
I often think of it as a forgetten colour in fashion – its a great colour and can look so stricking
I read somewhere that the Irish actually wear blue on St. Patrick’s day!