Can We Talk About Connell’s Chain?

Confession: I binged Normal People in one sitting yesterday.  


Normal People is a 2018 novel (by 28 year old, Irish author Sally Rooney) turned miniseries that is basically a story of a couple – Marianne and Connell – and their YEARS long “define the relationship” relationship in Ireland.  


The show will definitely have you in a steady cry as the story is all too relatable on so many levels for everyone, but what I could not get over is the fact that this was Paul Mescal’s (who plays Connell) first-ever on-screen acting role!  His performance alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne) will leave you gutted.  Ah, the nostalgia of our first loves.


In the book, Connell wears a chain, which is a detail that Mescal insisted on incorporating during wardrobe fittings.  Under Connell’s tough exterior is a brilliant, gentle soul and the silver chain is meant as a subtle nod to teenage boy fashion.  While the chain is a small detail, it’s great recognition of the power costume holds in film and television.


Fun Fact: Mescal apparently gifted the chain to Edgar-Jones at the end of filming and she already lost it, haha.


Men are wearing more jewelry more often than ever before – thanks for that boys! – and Connell’s unassuming chain fits right in with this.  ASOS revealed recently that since the show premiered, sales for men’s jewelry have spiked by 130%. 


Get Connell’s look:

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All episodes of this devastatingly sexy show are available to stream on Hulu.

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