45+ Luck-Inspired St. Patrick’s Day Nails to Try This Year

Let’s be real. 

St. Patrick’s Day is the one time of year we can all go a little crazy with green and call it tradition. 

But if you’re like me, you probably want to look festive without feeling like you’re wearing a costume. You want something that fits the holiday but still feels like you.

Whether you’re grabbing a green beer with friends or just trying to stay pinch-proof at the office, switching up your nails is the easiest way to join in. 

A fresh manicure feels intentional, low effort, and still fun. 

From clean, minimal greens to bold emerald chrome, I’ve rounded up over 45 St. Patrick’s Day nails that feel wearable, current, and surprisingly chic. 

These are the kinds of looks you can enjoy all month, not just for one day.

Let’s find your lucky shade!

The St. Paddy’s Day Green Palette

Before getting into the designs, it helps to think about the kind of green you actually want to wear. 

Soft Sage

This is the green I always come back to when I want something subtle. It’s calm, slightly muted, and easy to live with. 

Soft sage feels seasonal without screaming “holiday,” which makes it perfect if you want your nails to last beyond one weekend. It’s my go-to when I want a look that’s low-key but still intentional.

Creamy Matcha

Matcha green sits right in the middle. It’s fresh and modern, but still soft enough to feel wearable. 

I like this creamy matcha shade when I want a little color without committing to something bold. It pairs especially well with neutral outfits and light layers.

Deep Emerald

This is where things get richer. Deep emerald green feels polished and intentional, especially with a glossy finish. 

It’s the shade that feels the most festive, but still chic when done cleanly. If you want your nails to stand out just a bit more, this is the one.

Top 45+ St. Patrick’s Day Nails

I’ve broken these down into 8 easy-to-browse styles so you can find the exact vibe you’re looking for.

Minimal Green Nails 

If bold green feels intimidating, minimal designs are the easiest way in. This is where “quiet luxury” meets St. Patrick’s Day nails.

1. Milky Aura & Shamrock 

I’m a total sucker for a good aura nail. This milky white version with a green center is so dreamy and honestly, just really pretty to look at.

2. The Minimalist Tri-Dots 

The ultimate look for my short-nail girls. Just three tiny dots—green, white, and orange. It’s a clever, low-key nod to the Irish flag that takes like two minutes to do.

3. Simple Green Heart Accents 

Want to skip the traditional clover? Go for a tiny green heart instead. It’s a sweet, “blink and you’ll miss it” detail that stays cute long after the parades are over.

4. Crisp Green & White Stripes

This is giving major “tennis club” vibes. Pair these with a crisp white button-down, and you’re instantly the most put-together person at the pub.

5. Bare Base & Rainbow Luck 

I personally love a bare, nude base because it looks so fresh. Tucking a tiny rainbow and a shamrock onto one nail is just pure fun—like a little secret lucky charm.

Green French Tips 

I’ll never get tired of a French mani. For March, swapping white for forest green feels like the perfect seasonal update. A soft sage or deep forest green works especially well if you like neutral outfits and want your nails to quietly stand out.

6. Soft Mint Double Tips 

I keep coming back to double French tips lately. You’ll love how the mint and white play off each other—it gives your nails so much dimension without looking like you’re trying too hard.

7. Olive & Gold Dust 

Olive and gold? Say no more. It sounds playful, but it actually reads very high-fashion and grown-up. If you want something sophisticated, this is definitely your set.

8. Forest Line & Mini Clovers 

I’m a huge fan of this deep forest micro-French. It’s sharp enough to wear to your 9-to-5, but cool enough that you won’t feel out of place grabbing a green beer with us later.

9. Pink & Green Duo 

I’ve always thought pink and green was such an underrated combo. It feels so fresh and unexpected—perfect if you’re already manifesting those early spring vibes like I am.

10. Shimmering Shamrock Outlines 

This one is just clever, right? I love how the green outline over a white tip keeps it airy, and that tiny bit of sparkle? Total magic. You’ll definitely want to save this one for your Pinterest board.

Matcha, Sage & Olive Tones

Not everyone wants a bright “Kelly Green,” and I totally get that. That’s why I love the earthy green trend. Matcha, sage, olive, and mossy tones feel calm, sophisticated, and very wearable. 

11. Retro Matcha Mix 

Matcha green, checkerboards, and smiley faces—I mean, how cute is that? It’s got such a fun retro vibe, and I guarantee you’ll have random people asking where you got your nails done.

(I spent forever looking for a matcha green that didn’t look like swamp water. This polish is literally the only one that gets it right—it’s creamy, not streaky, and looks expensive.)

12. Sage Jelly Ombré

If you still haven’t jumped on the jelly polish trend, this is your sign. That juicy, glass-like finish makes even a basic shamrock look so high-end.

13. Earthy Green & Yellow Duo 

TBH, I’m obsessed with this. The yellow and green combo feels like the very first flowers of spring. It’s sunny, fresh, and surprisingly neutral enough to wear with anything in your closet.

14. Two-Tone Sage Contrast 

Can’t decide on which sage you like better? Just use both! I love how mixing different tones makes a simple design feel like a custom piece of art without much effort.

15. The Sage Skittles Mani 

This is my personal go-to when I’m feeling indecisive. Just paint each nail a different shade of green and you’re good to go.

(If you’re lazy like me and don’t want to hunt for five matching greens, just get this nail polish set. It’s a pre-made palette so you don’t have to guess which shades look good together.)

16.Ivory & Glitter Accents 

Sometimes you just want to keep it bright and seasonal. I think the ivory base is perfect because it makes the green pop without being too “in your face.” Plus, who doesn’t love a little pinch-proof glitter?

Gold-Accented Green Nails

Is it even St. Paddy’s without a little gold? To keep it high-fashion rather than kitschy, try adding some gold foil flakes over a deep green base. It gives the nails a marble-like, jewelry-inspired finish.

17. Lucky Symbols in Chrome 

Chrome is still having a major moment. I love how these tiny green and gold symbols on short nails look like actual jewelry. You’ll find yourself constantly checking your hands every time they catch the light.

18. Glitter & Preppy Stripes 

If you’re someone who wants a little bit of everything, this is your set. I think the white base is such a smart move—it keeps the glitter and stripes from feeling too “heavy.”

19. Plaid & Forest Tips 

This one is giving me major “Old Money” vibes. The dark green plaid and forest tips feel so sophisticated and just a little bit moody.

20. Gold Foil Sprinkles 

Glitter can be a bit messy sometimes, but gold foil? Always chic. I love that this is such an easy way to do the “pot of gold” theme without being too literal about it.

(I’m terrible at nail art, but gold foil is the ultimate cheat code. I just tap these gold flakes onto tacky polish, and it instantly looks like I spent $80 at a salon.)

21. Cuticle Glitter Ombré 

I’ve always said reverse ombré is so underrated. Starting the gold glitter at your cuticle line and fading it out feels so fresh and airy.

22. Textured Tweed & Foil 

This really looks like a designer tweed coat, right? Between the texture and the foil, it’s a total game changer for your St. Paddy’s style.

Simple Shamrock & Clover Accents

Okay, we have to include at least one clover, right? But the key here is to keep it minimal. I like doing a single accent nail with a hand-painted three-leaf clover. 

23. The Odd One Out

I’m a big fan of breaking the rules, and doing green French tips with just one white tip is such a clever way to do it. It totally breaks the symmetry and keeps people looking.

24. Watercolor Clover

You’ll love how a hand-painted watercolor clover looks—it’s more like fine art than a holiday mani. I think it feels so delicate and romantic, perfect if you want something that’s festive but still “soft.”

25. Deep Smile Forest Tips

If you’re looking for a little drama, this is it. That deep “smile line” really elongates your fingers, and I love how sharp it looks in forest green.

26. The Clean Slate

Sometimes I just want something that’s one-and-done. A milky white base with one tiny green shamrock? It’s simple, polished, and just works.

27. The Micro-Shamrock French

Short-nail girls, you need to save this one immediately. A super thin French tip with a micro-shamrock is the ultimate definition of “less is more.”

Chrome & Glazed Green Nails

Thanks to the “Hailey Bieber” effect, chrome nails are still everywhere. For a festive look, try a mint green base with a white chrome powder on top—it gives that “glazed donut” finish but with a spring twist.

28. Metallic Emerald Glow

If you want that “liquid emerald” look, this is it. The way this finish reflects the light is seriously addictive—you’ll honestly be staring at your hands all day.

(Seriously, the camera doesn’t even do this justice. If you want that liquid-metal look, you need this Chrome Powder. It’s the only way to get that Hailey Bieber glow but in a festive green.)

29. Minty Chrome & Sparkles

I’m getting major Y2K nostalgia from this one, but with a fun holiday twist. I think those tiny “sparkle stars” are really what make it—they add that dreamy, magical touch that feels so fresh right now.

30. The Irish Negative Space

I’ve always found that negative space is the best way to keep chrome from feeling “too much.” This design is busy and fun, but it doesn’t feel heavy at all.

31. Liquid Green Tips

Seriously, doesn’t this look like molten metal is just dripping from your nails? I wasn’t sure how wearable this would be, but once I saw it finished, it completely clicked.

32. Outline & Reflective Clovers

I call this the “double take” design because it’s so much more detailed than it looks at first. The chrome clovers act like tiny mirrors on your nails, which I think is just super cool.

33. Chrome-on-Chrome Duo

I know, a full chrome base and chrome tips sounds like a lot, but hear me out—it looks incredibly runway-ready.

Dark Green & Moody Nails

For my “cool girls” who usually only wear black—this one’s for you. Deep hunter green or a green so dark it’s almost black is incredibly chic.

34. Gilded Forest Aura

I’m low-key obsessed with this dark green aura look. Layering a subtle gold chrome shamrock on top makes it feel so mysterious and moody.

35. The Green Spectrum

Can’t decide which green is “the one”? Just wear them all. Mixing dark forest, bluish-green, and emerald across your hand is what I call a tonal masterpiece.

36. Midnight Checkerboard

Checkerboard in dark green is so much cooler than the classic black. I’d wear this in a heartbeat.

37. The Fourth-Finger Fortune

Ah, the classic “accent nail” move—you really can’t go wrong here. Tucking a few clovers onto just the ring finger is my favorite way to stay “pinch-proof” at the office without going overboard.

38. Emerald Glass & Gold Dust

Doesn’t this just remind you of vintage jewelry? It’s one of those sets that makes you feel instantly put together, even if you’re just wearing a simple sweater.

Playful But Still Chic

If you want to have a little more fun, let’s get into the patterns! Green swirls, checkerboard patterns, or subtle rainbow accents add personality while still feeling stylish.

39. Emerald Stars & Checks

Emerald stars and checks on stiletto nails? Now that’s what I call total main character energy. You won’t be blending into the background with these—they’re bold, loud, and I am here for it.

40. The Milky Lucky Charm

I’m getting major nostalgia from this one. There’s just something about those tiny charms on a milky base that makes me so happy every time I look down.

41. Over the Rainbow French

Can’t choose between green and a rainbow? I say, don’t. Tucking a tiny rainbow onto a green French tip is just so bright and optimistic.

42. Green Swirl Energy

I’m a sucker for 70s retro flair, and these sage swirls are hitting the spot for St. Paddy’s. I love how the negative space keeps the whole look feeling light and airy—it’s festive without being “too much.”

43. Pastel Luck

If you’re already dreaming of warmer weather like I am, you’ll love this spring-forward take. Using pastels instead of bold greens feels so fresh and youthful.

(If you only pick one shade this month, make it this one. It feels spring-ready, so you’re not stuck with a holiday look once March is over.)

44. Mint & Forest Waves

Mixing mint and forest green gives it a really high-end, editorial feel that you just don’t see every day.

45. Checkered Garden

Checks plus tiny flowers? Sign me up. I think this is the perfect bridge between St. Patrick’s Day and the official start of Spring.

So, which one are you leaning toward? I think I’m going to try the sage green Skittles look this year, but those gold accents are calling my name!

Save for Later

Don’t forget to pin your favorite designs to your Pinterest board so you can show your nail tech at your next appointment!