70-Degree Weather: What to Wear in Ireland When It Feels Like Summer

When the temperature hits 70-degree weather, a rare but welcome shift in Ireland’s typically cool climate. Also known as summer-like conditions, it’s the day everyone pulls out their sandals, opens their windows, and wonders if they should wear shorts. This isn’t Florida. It’s not even southern England. In Ireland, 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21°C) feels like a gift—and it doesn’t last long. That’s why what you wear on these days matters more than you think. One wrong step, and you’re shivering by 6 p.m. when the wind rolls in off the Atlantic.

People in Ireland don’t treat 70-degree weather like a vacation. They treat it like a surprise party. You’ll see someone in a light jacket over a t-shirt, paired with jeans and Hawaii slippers, the unofficial summer shoe of Irish beaches, garden centres, and pub gardens. Or someone in a waterproof trench coat, a staple even on warm days, because rain can roll in faster than you can say "sunscreen". These aren’t fashion choices—they’re survival tactics. Irish weather doesn’t care if it’s 70 degrees. It still expects you to be ready for drizzle, wind, and sudden drops in temperature. That’s why layering isn’t optional. It’s the rule.

What you wear on a 70-degree day in Dublin or Galway isn’t about looking trendy. It’s about being ready for anything. A high-quality t-shirt, made from thick cotton that won’t shrink or fade after one wash, is the base layer. Over that? A light sweater or cardigan you can tie around your shoulders. Footwear? Forget flip-flops. Even on the warmest days, most Irish people stick to supportive women's boots or durable, grippy slippers because wet pavement, muddy paths, and uneven cobblestones don’t disappear just because the sun came out. And yes, you’ll still see people in UGG slippers, not because they’re stylish, but because they’re warm, easy to slip on, and perfect for stepping out to grab the mail or walk the dog.

There’s no single outfit for 70-degree weather in Ireland. There’s a system. It’s built on experience, not Instagram trends. You learn it the hard way—by getting caught in a sudden downpour in a tank top. The smart ones know that a light jacket, a good pair of jeans, and footwear that can handle damp ground are non-negotiable. Even when it’s warm, the Irish dress for the next 10 minutes, not the next hour. And that’s why you’ll find posts here about what people actually wear, what shoes hold up, and why some fashion choices just don’t make sense here—no matter how sunny it is.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve lived through these rare warm days. From why Crocs stay off the office floor to what jeans work best when the sun’s out, these aren’t guesses. They’re lessons learned in rain, wind, and the occasional golden afternoon.