A decade later, one of the most iconic and impactful years in terms of pop culture, internet humor and fashion, is making a comeback.
In 2016, I was leaving fifth grade and entering middle school with nothing but a choker and my high-top Converse. Life seemed so simple for many — the colors were bright, the air was fresh and we were, most definitely, cringe. We were cringe, but free.
Nearing the end of 2025, there was sudden talk about 2016 making a comeback in 2026, marking exactly 10 years since the era took over social media and wardrobes, consuming every aspect of people’s lives. What started as jokes on TikTok turned into something much more intentional, as if people were actually trying to summon the energy of a time that felt less curated and less exhausting than now.
Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino, Adidas Superstars, skinny jeans, chokers, chunky jewelry, Pokémon Go, the Mannequin Challenge — it’s all in rotation again, appearing on social media feeds and in stores, leaning into 2016s aesthetics like they never left.
One of the first major instances of a 2016 movement was the unexpected rise of singer-songwriter Zara Larsson. Larsson opened for singer-songwriter Tate McRae’s recent “Miss Possessive Tour” and was widely recognized as an underrated artist.
For many social media users, her resurgence felt like the opening of a time capsule since many of her hits dominated 2016 radio. She developed a renewed appreciation, especially after channeling 2016 aesthetics in her wardrobe of bright colors and experimental makeup.
From one chronically online college student to another, I haven’t seen this much effort to revive an era with full commitment. Usually, it’s just a few trends that find their way back to us, like low-rise jeans or Juicy Couture tracksuits, but this feels weirdly different. It’s almost like people are so sick of the way we live now that they’re searching for the comfort and liberation many of us felt 10 years ago.
Beyond just music, social media has seen old trends surface like videos focused on nostalgic 2016 fashion, old Snapchat filters and bold makeup trends using vibrant colors instead of the boring soft glam that’s usually featured on algorithms.
This revival feels incredibly tied to the apparent collective burnout many Gen Z’ers face in online spaces today. Everything we scroll through is heavily monetized and judged, but looking back, the internet was a place where self-expression didn’t require perfection — people didn’t hesitate to post something playful or expressive because the internet wasn’t so toxic yet. Now, everyone has an opinion, and it feels like everything is so performative to meet the standards of random people online.
Still, the question remains: is this 2016 revival here to stay, or will it fade as quickly as every other trend?
Waves of internet nostalgia come often, so 2016 may very well be just one of these waves. But the emotional attachment people seem to have to this comeback shows that it could be deeper than a trend.
At this point, people are actively seeking the joy and simplicity that the world has lost.
I would do anything to go back to 2016 — as a version of myself that’s a little less embarrassing — but maybe that’s the point. The awkwardness and lack of self-awareness are what made that era feel so free.
In revisiting 2016, many people might not be chasing the aesthetics — they may be chasing a version of themselves that didn’t feel so restricted by societal expectations.
Whether these trends last or not, I feel it’s safe to say people are ready to feel some type of unfiltered joy again.
