Can you wear shorts at 23 degrees? Yes. At 23°C there's hardly any kind of weather left that pushes the feels-like temperature below 15°C, which is the limit we use. The question shifts from "is it warm enough?" to "are long trousers still good for anything?". The answer to that is: almost never.
Is 23 degrees shorts weather?
Look at the feels-like temperatures and you'll see why. Even the worst case below, overcast with a strong wind, stays above 15°C.
| Scenario | Air temperature | Feels-like temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny, no wind | 23°C | ~28°C |
| Overcast, no wind | 23°C | ~22°C |
| Overcast, 20 km/h wind | 23°C | ~19°C |
| Overcast, 35 km/h wind | 23°C | ~16°C |
| Rain, 15 km/h wind | 23°C | ~18°C |
At 21 or 22 degrees, cloud plus a lot of wind could still spoil things. At 23°C that combination keeps you fresh at most, not cold.
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Shorts or long trousers at 23 degrees?
Shorts. At 23 degrees, long trousers are mainly just warm: in the sun the feels-like climbs to around 28°C, and jeans start to stick. The only good reasons for trousers have nothing to do with the weather: a dress code at work, or plans to sit outside until late in the evening.
When might you still hesitate?
Only when rain is close to certain. Our check says no once the chance of rain reaches 90% or more, even when it's warm enough. A passing shower at 23°C is no big deal: bare legs dry in minutes, while wet trousers stay damp for hours. But a day of steady rain all afternoon can feel raw even at 23°C.
In the evening
After a 23°C day the temperature usually drops to 16 to 18°C in the evening. That's still above the limit, but without the sun it feels a lot cooler than during the day. For a terrace or a barbecue, a jumper on top is enough; your legs will be fine.
Conclusion
23 degrees is simply shorts weather. Wind and cloud don't change that; only a day of almost certain rain gives you a reason to think twice.
Learn more
Read next
Is 22 degrees hot? Warm, and shorts weather
22°C is 72°F: warm, not hot. It's comfortable shorts weather for nearly everyone. Only strong wind with cloud or rain makes it feel cool.
Can I wear shorts at 24 degrees? Yes, mind the sun
At 24°C shorts are a given. Watch the sun instead: on a clear day in June or July the UV index is high enough to put sunscreen on your legs.
Can I wear shorts at 21 degrees? Almost always
Yes: at 21°C (70°F) shorts are fine for almost everyone. The one exception is overcast and windy at once, when it feels like 14°C.
Can I wear shorts at 25 degrees? Always
25°C (77°F) is always shorts weather; long trousers just get sweaty. At this temperature the question is heat and humidity, not staying warm.
Why 20 degrees is not always shorts weather
20°C sounds like it should be comfortable. And often it is. But add enough wind or cloud cover and it stops feeling that way fairly quickly.