The Tiny Shirt, The Big Pants: Unpacking The Viral Troye Sivan ‘SNL’ Fashion Moment

The "Troye Sivan shirt" phenomenon that swept the internet following a viral Saturday Night Live sketch is less about a single piece of clothing and more about the cultural power of an aesthetic. As of today, December 12, 2025, the conversation around Troye Sivan's distinctive style—often dubbed "slutty menswear"—remains a major point of discussion, especially in the context of his appearances and parodies on the legendary sketch show. This deep dive unpacks the moment that solidified Sivan's status as a modern style icon, from the infamous Timothée Chalamet parody to the singer's own actual, and equally influential, SNL outfits.

The shirt in question is a tiny, cropped top that, when paired with oversized, baggy trousers, created a signature look so recognizable it became a punchline—a term of endearment, really—on one of the world's biggest comedy stages. This fashion equation, "shirt small as can be, pants big as they come," perfectly encapsulates a playful, gender-fluid style that has defined Sivan's recent career and captivated fashion enthusiasts globally.

The Complete Troye Sivan Biography and SNL Timeline

Troye Sivan Mellet is an Australian singer-songwriter, actor, and YouTuber. His journey from internet personality to global pop star and fashion icon has been marked by a bold embrace of queer identity and an ever-evolving artistic vision. His relationship with SNL spans several years, including a major debut and a recent surprise appearance.

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• Full Name: Troye Sivan Mellet
• Born: June 5, 1995 (Age 30 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa (Raised in Perth, Australia)
• Occupation: Singer-Songwriter, Actor, Former YouTuber
• Notable Albums: Blue Neighbourhood (2015), Bloom (2018), Something to Give Each Other (2023)
• Notable Acting Roles: Boy Erased (2018), The Idol (2023)
• SNL Debut (Musical Guest): January 20, 2018 (Season 43, Episode 11, with host Jessica Chastain). He performed "My My My!" and "The Good Side."
• The Viral Skit (Impersonation): November 11, 2023 (Season 49, Episode 6, with host Timothée Chalamet). Chalamet parodied Sivan's look and persona in a "Sleep Demon" sketch.
• SNL Cameo: May 4, 2024 (Season 49, Episode 18, with host and musical guest Dua Lipa). He made a brief appearance to introduce Dua Lipa's first performance.

The Skit That Launched a Thousand T-Shirts: Timothée Chalamet’s Parody

The most direct answer to the "Troye Sivan shirt SNL" query lies not with Sivan himself, but with actor Timothée Chalamet's brilliant impersonation in November 2023. The skit, titled "Sleep Demon," featured Chalamet dressed as a version of Sivan, complete with the now-legendary outfit: an extremely small, tight top—the "shirt small as can be"—and dramatically large, low-slung, baggy pants.

The skit was a cultural phenomenon because it perfectly captured the essence of Sivan's modern, queer-coded style. It wasn't a mean-spirited parody; it was a spot-on, affectionate tribute to a look that had been widely celebrated on social media. The dialogue itself became instantly quotable, cementing the "tiny shirt, big pants" formula into pop culture lexicon. Chalamet even recreated Sivan's choreography from the "Rush" music video, including the moment where he flashes his tiny red undies.

The commercial impact was immediate. Various online retailers, including Etsy and AliExpress, began selling commemorative T-shirts featuring the phrase or a graphic of Chalamet in the outfit, often labeled as the "Timothée Chalamet SNL Tee || Troye Sivan." This merchandise proved the look had transcended fashion and become a true viral moment, confirming the shirt's status as an SNL icon.

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Troye Sivan’s Actual SNL Outfits and The Rise of ‘Slutty Menswear’

While the Chalamet parody defined the "SNL shirt" moment, Troye Sivan's own fashion choices on the show and beyond are what inspired it. Sivan is a prominent figure in the "slutty menswear" movement, a term used to describe a bold, body-positive, and often gender-fluid approach to men's fashion that favors revealing cuts, sheer fabrics, and a generally "sexy" vibe.

The 2018 Musical Guest Look

During his debut as a musical guest in 2018, Sivan's outfits were already pushing boundaries. For his performance of "My My My!," he wore a look that was both stylish and functional for his energetic choreography. While specific designer details are often elusive in live TV performances, the overall aesthetic was polished pop-star chic, sometimes featuring a notable brown leather jacket during the episode.

The May 2024 Cameo

In his most recent SNL appearance, a brief cameo during Dua Lipa's hosting episode in May 2024, Sivan's style continued to reflect his established aesthetic. Although the cameo was short, his consistent choice of contemporary, often queer-designed, fashion pieces reinforces his reputation as a style trailblazer. He often works with queer designers and is known for looks that are subversive yet timeless, taking inspiration from runway shows like Prada's menswear.

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Topical Authority: The "Small Shirt, Big Pants" Formula

The "small shirt, big pants" silhouette is not just a gimmick; it is a deliberate fashion statement rooted in the current zeitgeist of menswear. This look is a key part of Sivan's public persona, which he has discussed in depth. The style is an evolution of 90s and early 2000s fashion, but Sivan modernizes it by pairing the baggy, low-rise bottoms with tops that are intentionally undersized, cropped, or sheer. This juxtaposition of volume—tight and revealing on top, loose and voluminous on the bottom—creates a dynamic, youthful, and undeniably sexy silhouette.

• Key Style Elements:
• The Crop Top: Often a tank, a knitted vest, or a micro-tee.
• The Trousers: Exaggeratedly wide-leg, low-rise, or cargo pants.
• Queer Designers: A preference for brands and designers who embrace a non-traditional, queer-centric approach to clothing.
• Influence: The style is a major trend in contemporary pop culture, influencing menswear on runways and red carpets globally.

Ultimately, the "Troye Sivan shirt SNL" is a symbol of how an artist’s unique fashion sense can become a powerful cultural touchstone. Whether it's the actual designer piece Sivan wears on a red carpet or the exaggerated parody worn by Timothée Chalamet, the underlying message is the same: Troye Sivan's style is bold, iconic, and significant enough to be celebrated, and immortalized, on Saturday Night Live.