2016 is SO back … but why now?
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With the start of 2026, Gen Z started getting nostalgic for a decade ago — and a simpler time. According to BBC, TikTok searches for 2016 were up “452 percent” this past week with users around the country reminiscing on Snapchat filters, chokers, infinity scarves, bright lips and more VSCO-approved aesthetics.
Many stars participated in the “2026 is the new 2016” trend, including Selena Gomez, Emily Ratajkowski, Karlie Kloss and more. Influencer Ashtin Earle even called it her “peak” year, while more fans gushed that it was the “time to be alive.” And, of course, we could never forget Kylie Jenner’s King Kylie era.
Keep scrolling and relive 2016 trends with these celebs and more:
Credit: Courtesy of Kylie Jenner/Instagram
2016 is SO back … but why now? With the start of 2026, Gen Z started getting nostalgic for a decade ago — and a simpler time. According to BBC, TikTok searches for 2016 were up “452 percent” this past week with users around the country reminiscing on Snapchat filters, chokers, infinity scarves, bright lips and more VSCO-approved aesthetics. Many stars participated in the “2026 is the new 2016” trend, including Selena Gomez, Emily Ratajkowski, Karlie Kloss and more. Influencer Ashtin Earle even called it her “peak” year, while more fans gushed that it was the “time to be alive.” And, of course, we could never forget Kylie Jenner’s King Kylie era. Keep scrolling and relive 2016 trends with these celebs and more:
Credit: Courtesy of Anne Hathaway/ Instagram
“2016 was wholesome but also latex?” Anne Hathaway wrote via Instagram on January 17, referring to her sultry corset and matching miniskirt.
Credit: Meghan Markle/Instagram
The Duchess of Sussex shared a black-and-white video of herself dancing with Prince Harry, as well as a sweet throwback pic, while reminiscing about 2016.
“When 2026 feels just like 2016….you had to be there,” she captioned the post.
Credit: Courtesy of Kylie Jenner/Instagram
Kylie Jenner reminisced about her King Kylie era via Instagram on January 15, showing off a photo of herself at Coachella wearing a bedazzled bra and hot short set with rainbow French braids.
Credit: Courtesy of Eva Mendes/Instagram
Eva Mendes shared photos of herself hiding her growing baby bump in 2016 via Instagram on January 15.
Credit: Courtesy of Nina Dobrev/Instagram
Nina Dobrev rocked a peacock headband in 2016, which she showed off via Instagram on January 15.
Credit: Courtesy of Rare Beauty/Instagram
Selena Gomez broke the internet in 2016 for her vibey pics, which Rare Beauty resurfaced on January 14. In one pic, she rocked a plunging top while playing with her long brown hair. She completed her look with red lips and round shades.
Credit: Courtesy of Emily Ratajkowski/Instagram
Emily Ratajkowski and Kim Kardashian posted topless together in 2016. The model reshared the post via her Instagram Story on January 14, and edited her original caption to reflect, “We are more than just our bodies, but that doesn’t mean we have to be shamed for them or our sexuality. @kimkardashian.”
Credit: Courtesy of Karlie Kloss/Instagram
Karlie Kloss shared a throwback pic of her and Kendall Jenner playing with the viral dog filter on Snapchat on January 14.
Credit: Courtesy of Lucy Hale/Instagram
Lucy Hale took us back to the days of Pretty Little Liars while posing with her costars Sasha Pieterse, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Benson and Troian Bellisario via Instagram on January 14.
Credit: Courtesy of Hannah Brown/Instagram
Hannah Brown showed off her platinum blonde locks from a decade ago via Instagram on January 14. She teamed her blonde locks with a bodycon black dress with cutouts over her chest and abs.
Credit: Courtesy of Becca Tilley/Instagram
Becca Tilley and Witney Carson showed off the epitome of 2016 trends via Instagram on January 14 — including chokers, graphic tees, ripped skinny jeans and torn shorts.
Credit: Courtesy of Ashtin Earle/Instagram
Alix Earle and her sister Ashtin Earle rocked bikinis while sipping on coconut water. Ashtin shared the pic via social media on January 14. “I peaked in 2016,” she playfully captioned the pic.
Credit: Courtesy of Jenn Tran/Instagram
Jenn Tran rocked an orange wrap dress and bright blue lace cami back in August 2016, which she posted online on January 14.
Credit: Courtesy of Susie Evans/Instagram
Susie Evans shared that in 2016, she was “living in Tokyo and working as a performer for Disney.” In her social media photo dump, which she shared on January 14, Evans rocked a red scarf, a denim top and bright pink lips.
Credit: Courtesy of Ashley Ianconetti/Instagram
Ashley Iaconetti took to Instagram on January 14 to share a selfie of her and now-husband Jared Haibo. She rocked matte red lips and long lashes.
Credit: Courtesy of Kit Keenan/Instagram
Kit Keenan showed off her blunt bob at the time, another 2016 trend, via Instagram on January 14. “You b*tches had me on your vision board in 2016 #kingkit,” she captioned the post.
Credit: Courtesy of Mary Holland Nader/Instargam
The Nader sisters rocked floral dresses, crochet tops, tube tops and bright colors back in 2016, which Mary Holland Nader reshared on January 14.
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