Forgotten 2016 Trends Making a Huge Comeback
Fashion and lifestyle trends have a funny way of disappearing and then resurfacing years later like they never left. One minute something is everywhere — in every shop window, on every feed, in every influencer’s haul video — and the next, it’s just gone.
Nobody talks about it. Nobody wears it.
It fades into the background like it was a fever dream. But here’s the thing: a lot of those trends from 2016 are creeping back into the spotlight right now.
Some have already made a full return. Others are quietly building momentum.
If you remember 2016, a lot of this is going to feel familiar.
Chokers Are Back Around Everyone’s Neck
Chokers had a massive moment in 2016. Every store carried them, every outfit got one, and they showed up on red carpets, at festivals, and in school hallways across the country.
Then they disappeared almost overnight. But they’re back now, and this time they’re showing up in more refined forms — leather, gold chain, and velvet versions that feel a little more grown-up than the simple black ribbons of a decade ago.
If you still have yours in a drawer somewhere, it’s time to dig it out.
Scrunchies Made a Quiet Return and Never Stopped
Scrunchies staged one of the most successful comebacks in fashion history. They went from being something your mom wore in the nineties to a staple accessory again, and 2016 was a big year for their early resurgence.
They dipped for a bit, but now they’re everywhere again — on wrists, in hair, sold in multipacks at every drugstore. The trend has grown beyond simple hair ties, too.
You’ll find them in silk, satin, and oversized styles that are as much a fashion statement as they are functional.
Fidget Spinners — Yes, Really
This one is going to get a reaction. Fidget spinners were arguably the defining craze of 2016 and early 2017.
Kids brought them to school, adults kept them on their desks, and for a short window of time they were the most talked-about toy on the planet. Then they vanished.
But they’ve started popping up again, partly driven by nostalgia and partly because the conversation around focus and anxiety management has kept them relevant. You won’t find the same frenzy as before, but the little spinners are back on shelves and back in people’s hands.
Rose Gold Everything Is Everywhere Again
In 2016, rose gold took over. Phone cases, kitchenware, jewelry, home decor — if it could be rose gold, it was.
The color faded from the forefront for a while as other aesthetics took over, but it’s making a steady return. Interior designers are using it again, and the jewelry market is seeing a spike in rose gold pieces.
It never fully disappeared, but it’s moved back to center stage in a way that’s hard to miss if you’re paying attention to what’s showing up in stores right now.
Matte Lipstick Is Having Its Second Wind
Matte lipstick dominated the beauty world in 2016. Deep reds, berry shades, nudes — all in a dry, velvety finish that looked sharp and stayed put.
Glossy lips took over for a while after that, and matte faded into the background. But beauty brands are pushing matte formulas again, and the shade range has expanded significantly.
The formulas have also gotten better — less drying, more comfortable to wear. If matte lipstick was your go-to back then, you’ll find it’s come back even better than before.
Tie-Dye Shirts Never Really Went Away, but Now They’re Mainstream Again
Tie-dye had a resurgence during the pandemic years, but its roots in the current wave trace back to 2016 when it started showing up in a more fashion-forward way. It moved beyond the craft project version and into actual retail clothing.
That momentum dipped, but tie-dye is firmly back in mainstream fashion now. Major brands carry it, it shows up in street style constantly, and it works across seasons.
It’s one of those trends that feels perpetual — it keeps cycling back because it’s versatile and genuinely fun to wear.
Chunky Platform Sneakers Are Dominating Again
Platform sneakers had a big year in 2016. Brands leaned into thick soles and bold silhouettes, and they became a staple for anyone who wanted height without sacrificing comfort.
The trend cooled off as minimalist sneaker styles took over, but chunky platforms are back in a big way. Designers are offering them in more colors and styles than ever, and they pair well with the baggy denim and oversized tops that are also trending right now.
The whole aesthetic fits together.
Velvet Is Back in Wardrobes and Home Décor
Velvet had a serious moment in 2016. It showed up in jackets, dresses, curtains, throw pillows — basically anywhere a rich, textured fabric could make an appearance. It disappeared for a stretch, replaced by lighter fabrics and more minimal aesthetics.
But velvet is back, and it’s showing up in both fashion and interior design again. Deep jewel tones — emerald, navy, burgundy — are leading the charge.
If you like a room or an outfit that feels a little luxurious without being over the top, velvet is the way to go right now.
Mom Jeans Finally Stopped Being a Joke
Mom jeans were everywhere in 2016, and they were already starting to shake off the ironic label that had followed them for years. High-waisted, relaxed-fit denim that sat comfortably and looked effortless.
That trend dipped when tighter fits came back into favor, but mom jeans have returned with force. They’re a staple in almost every major brand’s denim line now, and they pair with everything from cropped tops to oversized blazers.
The joke is officially over. They’re just jeans now.
Crystal Healing Came Back to the Mainstream
Crystals and healing stones had a huge cultural moment around 2016. People bought them for their homes, carried them in their pockets, and posted about their properties on social media constantly.
The trend faded as the novelty wore off, but it’s back. Wellness culture has kept crystals in the conversation, and they’ve become a fixture in gift shops, bookstores, and even some mainstream retailers.
Whether you believe in their properties or just like how they look on a shelf, they’re impossible to ignore again.
Bullet Journaling Is Still Going Strong
Bullet journaling exploded in popularity around 2016 when a simple system for organizing your life on paper went viral. People turned it into an art form — color-coded spreads, intricate layouts, monthly trackers that looked like they belonged in a magazine.
The trend quieted down after the initial wave, but it never actually died. And now it’s picking up steam again, partly because of a growing pushback against screens and constant digital connectivity.
People want something analog and tactile. Bullet journaling delivers that.
Avocado Toast Refuses to Leave
Avocado toast became a cultural shorthand in 2016 — both as a beloved brunch staple and as a punchline about millennial spending habits. It faded from the headlines after a while, but it never left menus. And now it’s back in the conversation, showing up on social media again with new toppings, new presentations, and new takes on the basic recipe.
It’s also become a gateway dish for a broader trend toward simple, ingredient-focused breakfast foods. The meme has faded, but the toast is very much still here.
Denim-on-Denim Is No Longer a Fashion Crime
Denim-on-denim outfits had a notable comeback in 2016 after decades of being treated as a style mistake. Pairing a denim jacket with jeans stopped feeling risky and started feeling intentional.
The trend cooled off when other fabric combinations took the spotlight, but it’s firmly back now. The key is matching tones or contrasting them on purpose — light jacket with dark jeans, or the reverse.
Fashion has officially stopped punishing people for head-to-toe denim, and the look is everywhere again.
Overalls Are Having Another Moment
One year after fading out, overalls began reappearing everywhere by 2016. Made from stiff denim, soft corduroy, or sleek leather, they came in long versions, shortened cuts, sometimes shaped like dresses.
Young people wore them loose yet put together – never messy. When fitted clothes became popular, overall interest dropped slowly.
Lately though, they’ve been slipping back into wardrobes and shop windows. Out in the open again, those old favorites fit nearly every frame without trying too hard.
Sitting low on the hips, they carry a looseness that matches how things feel these days. Dust them off if they’ve been hiding behind newer clothes – moments like this are why they never really left.
The Way Trends Circle Back Says Something About Us
Something always brings old styles back. Not just memories, but real feelings pull them forward – the texture, the vibe, the quiet fit with how things already seem today.
These 2016 looks reappeared without being pushed by wishful thinking. Instead, they grew familiar once more, noticed slowly, like a voice you’d forgotten but recognized mid-sentence.
Styles fade from sight, sure – but finish? Never really. Right now, plenty of what vanished in 2016 has chosen to return. A pause was all it needed before reappearing at the perfect moment.
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