The Paul Mescal-ification of menswear is quite something. Head to a trendy part of a trendy city and you’re gonna see three-inch gym shorts, fitted hoodies, and low-slung ball caps galore, thanks to the Gladiator II actor’s notable off-duty uniform. But with winter encroaching, letting your thighs shine is a little tougher at the moment. In New York this week, however, Mescal didn’t let the weather stop him from steaming up his fit.
It’s officially big coat season, and Mescal leaned all the way in with a tweedy, strong-shouldered overcoat, relaxed stonewash jeans, and leather boots. Beneath his heavyweight outerwear, though, he contrasted the looser silhouettes of his coat and denim with a trim vintage ringer tee.
Ringer tees were originally worn by athletes who favored the breathable fabric, but quickly caught on with the general public thanks to their contrasting colors. And for Mescal, a former Gaelic football player, it’s right up his street. The faded, tucked-in tee he sported in New York is cut close to the body, helping to show off his Colosseum-ready physique. Layered under that massive coat of his, it’s a perfect winter-friendly alternative to his go-to short shorts.
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This sort of crisp and effortless look—mixing sporty and classic menswear like a pro—is what Mescal does best, amping up really well-fitting basics like jeans and tees with killer boots and outerwear. It’s a pretty solid recipe for a major fit without trying too hard. Think Richard Gere at the airport in the ’90s.
So if you’re looking to give your winter menswear some extra sex appeal, then do as Paul Mescal does: Size down on your ringer tee, tuck it in, and dial up the volume with the rest of your fit.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
