2026 is the new 2016
Time to go Tumblr Famous.
Photo by Daren Inshape on Unsplash
If you’ve been getting major deja vu scrolling lately, you’re not crazy. The internet has loudly declared that 2026 is the new 2016. With festival fashion previews and brand revivals, 2016 is officially back.
Coachella and festival season are right around the corner, and will officially lock it in. Hollister just dropped a collection that feels very Brandy-Tumblr coded, and Triangl announced it would be relaunching its iconic neoprene bikinis for its 10 year anniversary. That alone tells you everything.
These trends will explode once festival season hits, reach their peak in the summer, and develop into layered, Tumblr-inspired styles leading into fall.
Without further ado, here's your 2016 revival guide:
Nostalgic Swimwear
Yes, that bikini is making a comeback. Expect bold, statement swimwear to make a big splash in the coming months.
Expect:
Color Blocking
Two-tone Sets
Structured Silhouettes
Bold Prints
Embroidered Details
There’s a 2016 Summer is on the horizon. Get the look for less on Amazon here.
The Brandy California Girl
The Brandy California girl look is the iconic filter LA summer aesthetic that comes to mind when people think about that era. Brandy Melville-inspired California girl looks are quietly making a comeback, as brands continue to add softer silhouettes and nostalgic basics to their collections.
If 2016 had a uniform, this was it. When people think back on that era, they usually picture that iconic filtered LA summer aesthetic. Brandy Melville–inspired California girl looks are quietly making their way back into collections and moodboards, as brands lean into softer silhouettes and nostalgic basics.
Expect:
Swing dresses and tank tops
Ditsy Floral prints
Bralettes meant to be seen
Graphic baby tees
Layered basics
Slouchy cardigans
Stripes. So many stripes.
To get the look, try thrifting, or shopping throwback-inspired pieces from Hollister, and, of course, the OG itself: Brandy Melville.
Boho is Back
This one might not come as a shock, as boho looks have been slowly inching their way back for a few seasons now. This time, however, it's in the same style that we remember from the old Coachella days, and not the overly polished influencer version.
Expect:
Flowy dresses and tops
Off-the-shoulder cuts
Crochet and lace everything
Fringe details
Layered jewelry
Statement sunnies
As people recreate those nostalgic Coachella looks this festival season, those looks will inevitably trickle down into Spring and Summer style trends (just maybe without the flower crowns). Expect boho to make a big comeback once festival season kicks off. Get the look from Free People and AllSaints.
Tumblr Soft Grunge
Now things start to take a turn for the dark side (in a good way)
Expect:
Plaid
Skater Skirts
Sheer black tights
Dr. Martens
Layered jewelry
American apparel basics
Oversized denim jackets
Black and white color palette
Think moody, casual, and a bit messy, the opposite of “clean girl'“ style. Revisit classics from Dr. Martens and American Apparel.
Tell me about it, Stud
Studded details are showing up everywhere again, from denim to accessories, and they feel ripped straight out of your 2016 Instagram feed.
Expect:
Studded cutoff shorts
Studded bags and belts
Studded phone cases (hello, Wildflower Cases)
This trend plays perfectly with soft grunge and California girl looks, adding just enough edge to keep things interesting.
The Insta Baddie
Probably the most Biblically accurate style that took over in 2016 was the “insta baddie.” Most outfits consisted of bomber jackets, oversized varsity jackets, and denim. Adidas Superstars and Converse ruled supreme, so it’s unlikely Adidas’ chokehold on the shoe market is going anywhere anytime soon.
Every day makeup in 2016 was unapologetically maximalist. Full eyeshadow looks, sculpted brows, contouring, and full glam looks weren’t reserved for nights out; they were the default. Expect a subtler version of this to resurface, less clean girl and more everyday glam. Richer colors, experimentation, and makeup that feels expressive again, without the full cut-crease to go to the grocery store.
Expect:
Bomber and varsity jackets
Relaxed denim (for now…)
Sporty streetwear
Classic Adidas Superstars & Converse
Soft glam makeup looks
The only lingering question is, are we really emotionally prepared for skinny jeans to make a comeback?
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