The costume designer behind the acclaimed film Hamnet has revealed that the tiny silver hoop earring worn by Paul Mescal in his portrayal of William Shakespeare was a meticulously planned historical detail, sparking a significant surge in men's jewellery trends.
The Mescal Effect on Men's Fashion
While Chloé Zhao's Hamnet has garnered eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, it is the subtle silver earring adorning Paul Mescal's left earlobe that has captured public imagination and ignited online discussions. Social media platforms are flooded with posts expressing admiration, with one user stating, "Begging my boyfriend to get a tiny hoop earring too," and another noting, "I cried for over half of Hamnet, but Paul Mescal's slutty little earring made me feel conflicted."
This phenomenon, dubbed the "Mescal effect," follows the actor's previous influence on fashion through Connell's chain in Normal People and the popularisation of short shorts. Now, attention has shifted to ear lobes, with data indicating a tangible impact on consumer behaviour.
Statistical Evidence of a Growing Trend
The search platform Lyst reports a 7% increase in demand for men's earrings quarter on quarter, signalling a broader shift in male accessories. A spokesperson for the jewellery brand and piercing studio Astrid & Miyu confirms this trend, revealing that over half of male purchases now involve piercing services, with popular placements including the lower lobe and tragus.
Huggies, which are hoops that sit tightly around the lobe, and singular hoop earrings have emerged as the highest revenue-driving categories for men at the brand. This data underscores how Mescal's on-screen style is translating into real-world fashion choices.
Historical Accuracy Behind the Detail
Some viewers have questioned why a bard living in 1596 would wear what appears to be a modern piece of jewellery. However, costume designer Malgosia Turzanska, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her work on Hamnet, emphasises that the earring was a deliberate and historically informed choice.
Speaking to the Guardian, Turzanska explained, "Many people assume it is an anachronistic detail, or something that was simply overlooked, but of course, it was a carefully chosen detail." She drew inspiration from historical portraits, including Sir Walter Raleigh's 1588 depiction wearing a pearl earring and the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare.
Elizabethan Earring Traditions
Zack Pinsent, a historical tailor and consultant, notes that earrings were widespread among men during the Elizabethan period. "You couldn't move for men wearing earrings," Pinsent says. "It was a sign of wealth and status. A labourer, for example, couldn't afford to wear a gold earring."
The Chandos portrait, painted between 1600 and 1610 and housed in London's National Portrait Gallery, is believed to be the only known Shakespeare portrait made from life. It depicts the playwright wearing a glistening hoop in his left ear, providing a direct historical precedent for Mescal's accessory.
Collaborative Creative Process
Turzanska aimed to capture the essence of this historical likeness without overwhelming Mescal's portrayal. "His Will [Shakespeare] is so distant from anything over the top, so we wanted to go for a subtle nod to the era," she said.
Director Chloé Zhao described a "casting process" for the earring, where metal, colour, and size were carefully considered. Mescal, who regularly wore a gold hoop in his right ear prior to filming, pierced his left lobe for the role, with the right ear covered by makeup. The final choice was a small white gold hoop designed to complement Mescal's modern and alive portrayal of Shakespeare.
Beyond Hamnet: A Broader Cultural Shift
Mescal is not the sole catalyst for this trend. 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 has garnered attention comparable to Tom Hiddleston's bare bottom in the first season.
Off-screen, actors like Jacob Elordi and Josh O'Connor have embraced tiny hoops, further normalising men's ear jewellery. Historically, earrings for men have fluctuated in popularity, from the French Revolution to Georgian macaronis, with Victorian preferences leaning toward clip-ons due to heavier styles.
Modern Masculinity and Fashion
Some critics associate the singular hoop fixation with performative male culture, similar to trends like drinking matcha or reading The Bell Jar in public. However, Pinsent views it as part of a modern phenomenon where men opt for understated bling, reflecting evolving ideas of masculinity.
"People are now so ingrained with what their own idea of masculinity is," Pinsent notes. "Let's remember at one point in time wearing pink was the most manly thing you could do." This perspective highlights how fashion trends often challenge and redefine traditional gender norms, with Mescal's earring serving as a contemporary example of this dynamic.
