2016 fashion had us in a chokehold (literally, thanks to those velvet chokers) with its ripped skinny jeans, olive bomber jackets, crop-tops, strappy ballets, flannel ties around the waist and Kool-Aid dyed hair.​

A carefree time where the vibe was fun first before aesthetic. Now, aesthetics has taken over the role of determining the unspoken factor in how worthy your social media feed is. When it comes to lowering your brightness to get the perfect picture of something so simple as a latte, our society is all over it.

As 2016 makes its comeback, influencers and celebrities on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are putting their aesthetic posts on hold and posting flashbacks of the 2016 era. As society looks up to these individuals, it has encouraged a new trend of people sharing and reminiscing about their 2016 days.

Kylie Jenner posted throwback selfies on Instagram with her iconic lip kit, captioned, “You just had to be there,” and Charlie Puth posted a 2016 era-coded reel with his popular song “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” captioned, “Heard it was 2016 again?” 

2016 looked different for everyone, but here is a quick rundown of the vibes that ruled the time and some I think are here to stay: 

Filters & Social

Think filters like Rio de Janeiro, Snapchat crown, face swap, rainbow vomit and dog filter combined with trends like the mannequin challenge.

As I scroll through Instagram, I see the Rio de Janeiro filter making the biggest appearance, whether it’s used for relatable reels to associate a funny vibe, like this one, or it’s just used to enhance a retro feel on a post or story. As reels become more popular and people grow more nostalgic, I think Rio de Janeiro has the best chance of living out its longevity.

In the mannequin department, popular DJ Marshmello recently posted his own flashback of the mannequin challenge on TikTok. ​I don’t believe this trend is going to make a comeback, as it simply had its moment — it’s just funny to look back on. 

Music

Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers, “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson and Drake’s “Controlla.”

2016 was filled with modern pop music that made Coachella 2016 so iconic. As Justin Bieber was announced to play at the 2026 Coachella, it will be interesting to see if he plays his 2016 hits of “Love Yourself” and “Sorry.” Along with throwback songs being played, I can see the old festival fashion trends of crochets and hair glitter being combined with the current takeover of leather jackets, fur coats and microshorts. 

“Lush Life” by Zara Larsson was just ranked in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, while “Closer” is ranked in the Spotify Global Daily Chart with over 1.5 million daily streams. It is safe to say that these throwbacks are here to stay.

Beauty

Kylie lip kits, Naked pallets, heavy contour, winged eyeliner, smoky eyeshadow, defined brows and matte bases.

As beauty constantly evolves, I can see our current 2026 minimalist beauty trends, such as light foundation and glosses, being reimagined with subtle traces of 2016 heavier-set makeup. 

I don’t believe we will go back to a full 2016 glam, but once people start digging through their makeup, they might rediscover some ancient finds and decide it had enough time (years) on the bench. 

Brands

PINK, Adidas, Vans, Forever 21, H&M, Juicy Couture, Converse and Vera Bradley. 

Vera Bradley, in particular, has recently gone back to its original roots of signature florals and patterns after receiving backlash for changing their designs in 2024 in an attempt to gain their diminished popularity. “We need to stay true to the joyful, functional and accessible brand that our customers fell in love with while ensuring we remain relevant and compelling to new generations,” said Ian Bickley, the company’s executive chairman, in The Wall Street Journal. 

In 2025, Juicy Couture also did a brand revamp by launching its denim line. “Two decades after the world fell in love with Juicy’s velour tracksuits, the LA-born brand expands its reign with a collection that reimagines its signature confidence and playfulness in a new lens: denim,” according to Authentic Brands Group, the brand management firm that purchased Juicy Couture in 2013. As they seem to be ditching their classic velour for denim, I predict that their velour staples will continue to regain popularity with the return of Y2K clothing and resell platforms like Depop and Poshmark. 

​Influencers have convinced the internet that 2026 is the new 2016, and as we all reminisce on a simpler time, people like to say that the world is healing. 

So, is this why we are all of a sudden trying to relive it? 

2016 was known as “peak,” with its carefree, unhinged energy. It was chaotic, sporadic and held a time-keep of the year before things got serious.

As the world gets more frustrated with political challenges, inflation, rising living costs and all of the above, I wonder: Did things really “get serious” after 2016, or was that just because we were oblivious to it as children?

Oblivious or not, I love to reminisce on the trends of 2016, especially in the fashion department. 

As I look through my mom’s closet and get sudden waves of extreme nostalgia with every vintage piece I pull out, I think it is a good thing to be trying to relive the old times, and not just because of the clothes — the happy-go-lucky mindset is something we can all take into 2026. 

The only downside is I’m now going to need to check another bag on my way back to school, though I’m hoping seeing everyone’s outfits around campus will reassure me that I’m not alone. 

Veronica White is a junior at UT this year studying hospitality management. She can be reached at [email protected]. 

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