2016 is back, but is your wardrobe?

It seems that, with each passing year, nostalgia becomes more prevalent in trends, and 2026 is no exception. Though 2016 is now over a decade old, it is still celebrated as if it had never passed. A key part of 2016's celebration is the style, both in clothing and beauty.

Why do we miss it?

A reason 2016 was so beloved was that it was the start of social media where everyone posted everything they were doing. When social media was seen as a sharing platform rather than today where many people see it as performative and promotional.

In terms of fashion, 2016 was a blend of many different aesthetics and colors. Tumblr, a microblogging and social media platform, was a hotspot for trends. The grunge aesthetic was at the forefront with a few specific staples.

A chokehold for chokers

Even though they may look uncomfortable in 2016, the discomfort was worth it. Chokers were a statement accessory piece. Usually styled all on their own or as a first base in layering jewelry it was hard to walk down the street without seeing one. The most popular chokers in 2016 were made of lace which is a high contrast to today's jewelry trends which are simple gold or silver jewelry. Chokers were also almost always black to match the darker tones that most outfits in 2016 were.

Skinny jeans

Even before 2026, the fad of “mom jeans” had slowly retreated back to a tighter fit. While in 2026 we are not fully onboard for skinny jeans, baggy jeans aren't as desired as they were in the early 2020’s. Most skinny jeans were dark colors like blacks and navy blues. This complemented the more grunge aesthetic. In the early 2020’s, you would rarely find people styling any color jeans below light wash. However, recently, more people have retreated back to the original blue denim as well as darker jeans, even if they aren't as tight.

Matte Makeup only

It's hard to talk about 2016 style without mentioning a couple of beauty trends that are essential to reviving it. In recent years, the “clean girl” aesthetic has been at the forefront of the beauty industry, with the goal of looking as natural as possible. This is achieved through minimal makeup and hairstyles. This aesthetic couldn't be more different from how makeup was used in 2016. Full coverage foundation and heavy concealer were the norm.

Do you have a favorite trend from 2016? One you’d like to see have a comeback? We’d love to know. Tag us @theedgemag on Instagram

FashionSam PascaleFebruary 25, 2026makeup trend, beauty trend, fashion, jeans