A pair of short-shorts hate to see Paul Mescal coming. Itty-bitty, thigh-level gym shorts have become the actor’s signature fashion piece, not to mention his official off-duty uniform (though, he has even worn them on the red carpet, too). In fact, the leg-revealing piece has become such an iconic staple of his wardrobe, that Mescal’s love for showing a little knee even got a special shout-out during his opening host monologue on Saturday Night Live last night, which featured Shaboozey as the musical guest.
Mescal’s opening skit began with the star discussing all the various ways that he is proud to be Irish. “A lot of people ask if we wear kilts—no, that’s the Scottish,” said Mescal. “Traditionally, the Irish wear short-shorts.” The camera then panned to a paparazzi image of Mescal wearing one of his favorite pairs: a striped blue and white track style, which he wore for a daily Sweetgreen run with a zip=up jacket and wired headphones. (A vibe for sure.)
The fashion bit didn’t end there. Soon after, Mescal was then joined by SNL cast member Marcello Hernandez, who happened to be wearing the very same short-shorts (with a dressy button-up, no less?). “Those are way too short,” said Mescal of the shorts, to which Hernandez responded, “You know what they say, Paul—the shorter the shorts, the taller you look.” It was the perfect nod to how the Internet continues to be horny for his micro shorts; Clearly, given they have just now been immortalized on SNL, he is not retiring them anytime soon. They are famous in their own right!