With every new year comes new trends, fads and iconic moments, but with 2026 many people are choosing to look backwards to the past and take inspiration. A decade later, 2016 is the next big thing re-invigorating looks, vibes and lifestyles.
“I love [that 2016 is back],” senior Taye Sangkhae said. “2016 trends are all about being carefree, being chalant and posting whatever you want. It was such a colorful and fun era, and I’m excited to see that energy coming back.” Since the entrance of the new year, social media has filled with photos and videos of people listening to the music of 2016, reliving the trends and reclaiming the turquoise tinted energy of the year. The revival of iconic eras is not lost on anyone, resurgences of the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s have already made their mark on this generation, but 2016 is the first one that many students have lived through–creating a notable closeness to the subject.
“I was eight in 2016, so I don’t really remember much of anything,” senior Hadley Preston said. “I do like the idea of it coming back my senior year since the vibe goes back to that time when everything was a little bit easier and a little bit simpler.”
While many students were still in their earlier childhoods during 2016, that only adds to the lightheartedness of the time period. With the opportunity to bring back trends that encompass those nostalgic moments and blithe, many are in full support of the trend.
“I like some of the 2016 trends that are coming back, like the music, clothing and all that kind of stuff,” Preston said. “I really love the low rise and cheetah print, just like more ‘out there’ options, rather than the same run of the millennial stuff we’ve been getting.”
Some of the most prominent fashion trends from 2016 that have revived include flared jeans, low-rise flare leggings and more. Some patterns like polka dots, chevron and animal prints are also making their comeback. Along with the fashion, a part of 2016 culture was the celebrity culture that surrounded Los Angeles (LA). The faces of the year were almost all based right here in LA. With this, students are in the perfect location to relive the year older and hopefully wiser.
“I think LA culture is going to be a major trend as people want to feel local and go to popular spots, and take photos at recognizable places like Community Goods or the Pink Wall,” Sangkhae said. “Everyone is going to try to capture that LA aesthetic, but I’ve been on that. I’m an OG.”
All of the “it” places are in LA. Walking down Melrose Avenue or Hollywood Boulevard bringing back instant vibes of a different time. With LA being an iconic staple of the year, a stroll through such locations immediately takes people back seeing angel wing photo opportunities painted on walls and California palm trees swaying in the breeze.
“I hope we get more 2016 vibe music like dancey songs where you can just have fun,” Preston said. “I hope the idea of just wearing and doing what you want, no matter how embarrassed you get after the fact, comes back into style.”
A main part of the 2016 trend is the music, with hit pop songs from artists including Drake, Rhianna, Justin Bieber and more, that defined the year. Some of the most relistened to songs include “One Dance,” “Lean On,” “Let Me Love You” and “Many people are creating TikToks for them or even just listening to that music in the car with their windows rolled down, just to feel that nostalgic and exciting energy.
“It feels nostalgic mainly because of the music. A lot of those songs are what we grew up listening to. That alone brings back a lot of memories,” Sangkhae said. “Since this is my last year of high school, it feels more meaningful. 2016 energy is a great mindset to carry into graduation and college.”
