It’s official: 2016 is making a comeback. ’Lush Life’ is in the charts once again, the sun has finally peeked back out from behind the clouds, and we are all nostalgic for the simpler days of the mid-2010s, when the future felt promising and the internet still felt like fun. Fashion, too, seemed less serious ten years ago: in the spirit of embracing all things 2016, I am here to provide a whistle-stop tour of some of the many fashion trends that defined the year, giving my two cents on which are worth reviving in 2026, and which should remain firmly in the past.

Skinny jeans

We may as well begin with the dreaded S-word: skinny jeans. They were as inescapable in 2016 as Stranger Things or the Snapchat dog filter, and remained a ubiquitous staple in wardrobes across the globe for many years, only retreating from the limelight with the steady widening of jean-legs throughout the 2020s. Now, there has been something of a revival of this infamously divisive style, although I would argue that it has (thankfully) not breached the confines of the runway to re-enter mainstream fashion just yet. Though I will not go so far as to advocate for their return, there are certain circumstances under which I could (perhaps) excuse this fashion transgression: playing with the silhouette of skinny jeans by adding leg warmers or big furry boots is a fun example of updating the trend, and I have the utmost respect for those in the emo and scene subcultures doing their bit to combat the tired millennial skinny-jean stereotype.

“I myself recall spending hours trawling the H&M online store for a khaki satin bomber”

Bomber jackets

No 2016 fashion retrospective would be complete without mentioning bomber jackets. Popularised by luxury fashion houses such as the Swiss-French brand Vetements and the wardrobes of celebrities like Kanye West, bomber jackets dominated 2016 both on the runway and in the streets. I myself recall spending hours on the family computer, trawling the H&M online store for a khaki satin bomber jacket with which to pair my white Adidas superstars – a simpler time. Although the satin bomber is somewhat a relic of the past, there is certainly still room for a well-styled bomber jacket in 2026; we are seeing a resurgence of this silhouette in leather jackets, embracing an 80s-esque look, as well as suede alternatives for a more subdued style.

Chokers

If any one accessory defined 2016, it was without a doubt the choker. This versatile accessory made a name for itself across all spheres, from tween wardrobes to the red carpet. Celebrities like Rihanna, Gigi Hadid and Taylor Swift joined the craze, only serving to increase its chokehold on the population at large. Think black velvet or faux-lace (or, in my case, a bit of woven plastic from Claire’s) paired with an off-the-shoulder blouse to accentuate the neck and collarbones. Although I would style it differently, I firmly believe that a choker can and should be a jewellery box staple for 2026; a beaded or velvet choker pulls its weight best when elevating a simple formal dress, leaning into a nineties and early noughties vibe.

Dusty pink

In 2016, one of the two Pantone colours of the year was ‘Roze Quartz’, a muted, dusty-pink tone which came to be known as ‘millenial pink’. This colour was to the worlds of fashion and interior design what the Mannequin Challenge was to Instagram, and it pervaded seemingly all walks of life, even crossing over into beverages with the introduction of the Starbucks ‘pink drink’ in 2016. It might not have quite the same reach now as during its heyday, but I would argue that this shade has a timeless, unisex quality which has carried it, without trouble, into the modern day. In my opinion, the rose tone provides an opportunity for those who shy away from its more saturated cousin, baby pink, to add a pop of colour to their outfits in an understated way.

“You couldn’t walk into a sportswear shop without facing a selection of leggings adorned with palm leaves, paint splatters or galaxy print”

Bold Athleisure

Bold activewear was also a defining feature of 2016 fashion, and it was by no means reserved for the gym. Perhaps this speaks more to my own poor taste, but it felt as if you couldn’t walk into a sportswear shop without facing a headache-inducing selection of leggings adorned with palm leaves, paint splatters, galaxy print or a dizzying geometric pattern. Mesh cut-outs were firmly in style, and matching sets reigned supreme. Reflecting the larger trend of brand-obsession, visible logos and large print also dominated – the concept of ‘quiet luxury’ had not yet been invented. I for one am perfectly happy to lose this cultural moment to the annals of time.

Looking back, 2016 quite possibly marks the beginning of my own fashion journey: I distinctly remember my first pair of aviator sunglasses, and my ever-patient mother shilling out to provide me with the coveted Topshop Joni jeans. However, we should not allow ourselves to become blinded by nostalgia for the better days; although some trends may be revived and relevant, others should be left in the past where they rightfully belong.