The so-called Mescal effect is sweeping through fashion once again, this time targeting earlobes. Paul Mescal's portrayal of William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's acclaimed film Hamnet has captivated audiences, but it's a subtle accessory that's stealing the spotlight and sparking a viral trend.
The Tiny Hoop That's Making a Big Impact
In the film, which has garnered eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Mescal wears a barely-there silver hoop earring in his left lobe. This minute detail has ignited a frenzy online, with social media flooded with posts from admirers. One user exclaimed, 'Begging my boyfriend to get a tiny hoop earring too,' while another noted, 'I cried for over half of Hamnet, but Paul Mescal's slutty little earring made me feel conflicted.'
This isn't the first time Mescal has influenced fashion trends. Previously, he sent viewers into a spin with Connell's chain from Normal People, a thin silver necklace dubbed 'Argos chic', and later popularised short shorts. Now, the focus has shifted to ear adornments, with the 'Mescal effect' driving a noticeable surge in demand.
Data and Demand: The Numbers Behind the Trend
According to the search platform Lyst, there has been a 7% increase in demand for men's earrings quarter on quarter, highlighting the growing popularity of this accessory. A spokesperson from the jewellery brand and piercing studio Astrid & Miyu confirmed this shift, revealing that over half of male purchases now involve piercing services. Key placements include the lower lobe and tragus, with huggies and singular hoop earrings emerging as the highest revenue-driving categories for men.
Historical Accuracy or Anachronism?
Some viewers have questioned why a bard from 1596 would sport what appears to be a modern piece of jewellery. However, the inclusion was anything but an oversight. Malgosia Turzanska, the film's costume designer who earned an Academy Award nomination for her work, explained to the Guardian that many assume it's an anachronistic detail, but it was 'carefully chosen'.
Historical tailor and consultant Zack Pinsent emphasised that during the Elizabethan period, earrings were widespread among men. 'You couldn't move for men wearing earrings. It was a sign of wealth and status. A labourer, for example, couldn't afford to wear a gold earring,' he noted.
Inspiration Drawn from the Past
Turzanska drew inspiration from historical portraits, including Sir Walter Raleigh's 1588 depiction wearing a pearl earring and the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare. This oil painting, housed in London's National Portrait Gallery and created between 1600 and 1610, is believed to be the only known portrait of Shakespeare made from life. It shows him with a glistening hoop in his left ear.
'I wanted to capture the energy of that likeness, but without overpowering the character played by Paul [Mescal],' Turzanska said. 'His Will [Shakespeare] is so distant from anything over the top, so we wanted to go for a subtle nod to the era.'
The Casting Process for an Earring
Interestingly, Mescal regularly wore a gold hoop in his right ear before Hamnet, even to his first audition with Zhao. The director described having 'a casting process' for the earring, where metal, colour, and size were meticulously discussed. The final decision involved Mescal piercing his left lobe and covering the right one with makeup.
'We opted for a small white gold hoop that does not draw attention to itself,' Turzanska added. 'I think it goes well with the way Paul wears Will's costume – the clothes move, the sleeves are rolled up, the neckline often open – it feels very modern and alive.'
Beyond Mescal: Other Screen Icons Fueling the Trend
Mescal isn't the sole catalyst for this earring craze. James Norton's singular silver hoop in the TV show House of Guinness has been hailed as 'the sexiest thing on TV', while Diego Calva's gold earring in season two of The Night Manager is garnering attention comparable to Tom Hiddleston's bare bottom from the first season.
Off-screen, celebrities are also embracing the trend. Jacob Elordi, starring as Heathcliff in the latest Wuthering Heights adaptation, favours tiny hoops in both lobes, and Josh O'Connor prefers a singular silver hoop in his left ear.
A Cyclical Fashion Statement Through History
Men's earrings have fluctuated in popularity throughout history. Pinsent points out that they were favoured around the time of the French Revolution and among Georgian macaronis. During the Victorian era, clip-ons became preferred due to the heaviness of pearl and jewel styles.
Some critics link the current fixation with singular hoops to performative male culture, akin to drinking matcha or reading The Bell Jar in public. However, Pinsent offers a different perspective: 'It's more of a modern phenomenon of men not wearing all the bling. People are now so ingrained with what their own idea of masculinity is. Let's remember at one point in time wearing pink was the most manly thing you could do.'
As Hamnet continues to captivate awards season, its smallest detail is proving to have a monumental impact, blending historical authenticity with contemporary fashion in a way that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide.
