Paul Mescal wore Kildare GAA shorts to Coachella and it’s giving day three EP vibes

It’s been two full years since Normal People graced our screens and Paul Mescal fever took over. The most-searched name on the world wide web in May 2020, he went from relative newcomer to global sensation seemingly overnight and his hold on society has only grown since then. 

First identifiable as “yer man in the Denny’s sausages ad”, and later as “yer man with the silver chain”, he’s been synonymous with many things over the course of his career thus far, though none as inherently Irish as GAA shorts… in fact, you might say that his greatest triumph was making them fashionable again. 

Introducing the global style set to the Irish Cúl Camp staple in summer 2020, Mescal essentially broke the internet when paparazzi photos of him strutting around London surfaced online. 

remember when paul mescal went to the shop in gaa shorts & the rest of the world was like 'what does it _mean_???'

— keir starmer's warm seed receptacle ?? (@KweenMedb) April 24, 2022

Striking the balance between off-duty county player and young lad on day three of the EP rollover, the sunnies, bag of crisps and cans of pink gin were a strong indication that he was actually in pursuit of the cure. But no one cared about that, for the legendary shorts took centre stage. 

A couple of months later, American GQ printed an interview with the actor, complete with photos of him wearing “vintage shorts by Kildare GAA”, such was his influence. Italian fashion house Gucci also came out with their own custom version that looked suspiciously like the Mayo kit – theirs valued at a whopping €550. 

Many wrote it off as pandemic comfort dressing, but that would be reductive because two years later and Paul is still repping his county colours, this time at Coachella. Pictured alongside his Normal People leading lady, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Mescal could be seen posing for a photo with a fan. Sporting some new facial hair and the same pair of now-famous Kildare shorts, many questioned whether he actually owns any other clothes… but we love an outfit repeater so fair deuce, Paul. 

There to support his (rumoured) girlfriend Phoebe Bridgers – who was performing at the event – even she’s been spotted wearing a pair of O’Neill’s on occasion. 

Naturally, the most recent sighting of Paul “in his final form” has provided plenty of social media fodder, with Twitter mainly delighting over “ the big Irish head on him”. You can take the man out of Kildare but you can’t take Kildare out of the man. 

paul mescal wearing kildare GAA shorts to coachella the big irish head on him https://t.co/pWtQ2tiRXM

— jfeen (@sailorchoon) April 24, 2022

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The Kildare GAA shorts…power move @mescal_paul https://t.co/85zkk2pOto

— Kevin Dunne (@28Kelso) April 24, 2022

Paul Mescal has evolved into his final form by wearing @KildareGAA shorts to Coachella. pic.twitter.com/nAgMf0YAM5

— District (@districtmag) April 24, 2022

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Genuine question, does Paul Mescal own any clothing other than Kildare GAA shorts?

— Ronán (@RonanMacThings) April 24, 2022

All jokes aside though, it sounds like Mescal is quite the influencer and O’Neill’s sales surged by 20% as a result of his outfit choices. His committment to county colours never fails to inspire. A true patriot. What’s next, “Mayo for Sam” Prada tops?!