The 2016 Fashion Trends to Bring Back v. Bury
- Whitney Wisdom
- 44 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Why 2016?: When a new year begins, it's only natural to reflect on the past. But the 2026 internet becoming downright obsessed with culture, fashion, and music from ten years ago is something that does not happen every year. When the clock struck 2025, we weren’t like “yeah but 2015 was a really good time!”
Everyday this week I got targeted articles in my feed from the Washington Post, CNN, ABC - all with virtually identical headlines. What’s up with the sudden 2016 obsession? Why people in 2026 are hung up on 2026? Is it 2026 or 2016? Social media users turn back the clock in viral trend. The trend went viral technically due to the popular 2010s rap artist, Fetty Wap getting out of jail and Trump going back into office but, the real reasoning is nostalgia is a powerful drug. Ten years ago is not that long right? So almost everyone can make a post about remembering where they were ten years ago because almost everyone online is over ten years old. Yet, ten years ago is long enough that trends and styles have changed and its fun to look back on.
My 2016: Since everyone seems to care where we were all at ten years ago, I will share that I was a sophomore and junior at University of Delaware. It was a big year for me! I got my first apartment, where I quite literally learned how to boil water. I got my first internship and my very own car to get me there that I just sold last year. It was my final year co-coaching my favorite swim team - The Nottingham Gaters with my best friend. And, at the very end of 2016 I turned 21! Nothing makes you feel more invincible than going from 20 to 21. You’ll see this reflected in my outfit choices.
Permanent 2016 Fashion: We forget how many fashion trends started in 2016 that are now integral parts of our wardrobe. 2016 was where we saw the shift from mixed metals into pure gold jewelry. Rompers went mainstream and became so popular that we even started wearing them as cocktail attire. Short heeled booties look just as good tucked into skinny jeans as they do with loose jeans falling over them. Therefore, we’ve been able to hold onto our bootie collection over the past ten years without dust building up. Crop tops with high waisted jeans were the most desirable silhouette in 2016. While high-waisted is about to be voted out of the 2026 office for a new low-rise term, cropped tees have stood the test of time and if anything they’re getting shorter.
Fashion looks to the past for inspo but is always reinventing the wheel. So, if you had a great 2016 and want to relive it in 2026 or if your 2016 wasn’t great and could use a revamp, I’ve mapped out the fashion trends that should be brought into this decade. Plus some that are just too soon.
The Bring it Back List
Chokers: Almost every post I have seen from my sorority sisters in 2026 about 2016 begs for chokers to be brought back. And I am here to give the people what they want! Chokers in 2026 won’t be the plasticy tattoo ‘90s ones - those are played out. This time we are doing thin chokers in a thin (Yep, emphasis on the thin!) black fabric like leather or velvet coupled with a tiny gold chain link choker. It’s all about a layered look. For the advanced go with a chain choker and my fave 2016 leather bow tie choker. Bows have never been bigger so this one isn’t as risky as it seems. In other jewelry news, 2026 will continue having a strong presence of charmed jewelry. This means it is time to dust off your Alex and Ani charm bangles!
This was my fave choker and somehow I only have a pic of my bestie wearing it. 2016 was a different time!
Over the Knee Suede Boots: The ultimate party shoe wants to come back for another round! I unapologetically wear my over the knee black suede boots every New Year’s Eve and the reason I get away with it year after year is my boots don’t have the 2016 tie at the knee. 2026’s over the knee boots have a shorter heel and are more structured where they can stand straight on their own without a knee cinch.
The Button Skirt: This was THE college girl Saturday afternoon uniform. She buttons (or snaps) up the middle. She’s a mini in corduroy. Any color that’s reminiscent of a fall leaf will do. Proportionally, it only makes sense to bring this back with your over the knee suede boots. Add an oversized sweater on top and gold hoops to make it oh so fall! Without looking like you are dying to go back to college, upgrade your mini skirt for one with zippers on the diagonal rather than buttons dead center.
Puffer Vests: Maybe my view is skewed since I was a sorority girl in 2016 but all things preppy are back in 2026! Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and GAP went from outdated mall chains to carrying the latest fashions. A puffer vest is the perfect second layer to leave on with a solid turtleneck, cable knit sweater, or striped mockneck underneath. I grant thee permission to wear the same one you wore ten years ago just style and accessorize it to feel today.
I wrote an article in 2015 titled “Vests You’ll Love Best” for udressmag.com - my college’s fashion blog. (Link to my fashion articles archived by my stepdad can be found here. https://fashionablysite.wordpress.com/.) People come to me to be at least one year ahead of the trends. In 2016 there were a lot more vests circulating - the camo green utility vest (we all know it), the fuzzy teal blue or hot pink vest, and so on. Start with an easy solid color puffer for 2026. I’m sticking to my packable nude color one. It matches everything.
Tops with an X: You knew you were in for a night to remember when you slipped into one of these flowy tops with a fabric x at the top. By nature, the only type of necklace that would look right with a neckline so complicated is a choker. Perfect! This quintessential going out top was passed around by roommates because in classic black, white, or gray, it looked amazing on everyone! Since the top trending denim shape for 2026 is loose, you’ll want your x top to be a skin tight tank or bodysuit. 2016 was tight pants and flowy tops while 2026, is a baby top and baggy pants.
The Too Soon List
Skinny Jeans: Everyone has an opinion on skinny jeans. That’s because everyone has worn skinny jeans. They were that hugely beloved from 2008 all the way through covid. The 2010s was peak skinny jean wearing season and I regret to inform you it is staying that way. We’ve only been off of skinny jeans for about five years now so we need more time before we cleanse our whole denim arsenal. Pant shape trends switch the least often because pants are a higher price point compared to tops. I’m predicting we have another five years or so of wide leg pants, then in the 2030s we will revert back to bell bottoms and flare jeans only to end up back to skinny jeans in the 2040s. Fashion history repeats itself.
Halter Bralettes: This is another trend that was so much of a specific time period that it just cannot be brought back. We overdosed in 2016 so in 2026 you’ll need to find new ways to get your coquette lace on. Look to Loveshackfancy and Bridgerton for guidance.
Pumps: Unlike the generation above me, I felt like I didn’t wear heels too often growing up - only for special occasions. But, when I look back on college pics I realize how many occasions I had and why the bottom of my nude pumps ended up black and grinded into the ground. In 2026 pretty much no one is wearing high heels and if they are they are open toed. Even for my wedding I wore heeled sandals. Sorry pumps you were ladylike and classy and we love you for that but, you’re just too dang uncomfortable and we have to protect our feet!
White Converse: They will never be what they once were but they will certainly come back. Don’t toss yet! If you can’t wait for the next white converse takeover, grab their wedged high tops to hold you over for now. Platform sneakers aren’t going anywhere this year. The sneaker market is becoming more saturated with trendier emerging brands where Converse is no longer top dog.
See Through Tops: At this point, girls will just wear tops as small as bras, so no need to have a mesh overlay. Wearing a bra or bralette through a black mesh see through top felt daring in 2016 but, in 2026 it's actually too much clothes.
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