The 2016 Nostalgia Is Strong But These Fashion & Beauty Trends Can Stay In The Tumblr Era

Unless you've been living under an internet-proof rock since 2026 began, you probably noticed that throwing it back a decade has been a huge trend across social media. So many of our favorite celebrities have shared nostalgic pics from 2016 on Instagram, including Kylie Jenner (who was firmly in her iconic King Kylie era) and a then-pink-haired Hailey Bieber, who used the same caption, "you just had to be there." Even the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, got in on the trend, as she posted a new video of herself and Harry, Duke of Sussex, alongside a snap from 10 years ago. There are many reasons why the world is looking back fondly at the year Rihanna dropped "Anti," "Stranger Things" debuted on Netflix, and Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris went their separate ways, but one of the biggest is because it was such a huge time for fashion and beauty.

"We had just started to evolve past Tumblr-era cynicism ... Of course, rose-tinted glasses play a factor, but in hindsight, there is a whimsical and carefree nature associated with that era that people are really nostalgic for," Katie Devlin, trends editor for fashion at Stylus, explained to Vogue as to why early 2026 has gone so heavy on 2016 nostalgia. And she's not wrong. 2016 leaned toward brighter colors on the red carpet, more experimental makeup trends thanks to Tumblr and YouTube tutorials, and even our hairstyles felt more fun and light-hearted. But while there are a few fashion and beauty trends from the time we'd welcome back with open arms — like skinny jeans, which are already staging their comeback in a way that doesn't feel outdated — there are some that can remain firmly in the previous decade.

In 2016, we basically forgot how to wear outerwear properly. Ariana Grande, who has undergone a stunning style transformation, was a big fan of this casual trend, as she was regularly spotted with jackets and coats pulled down to her elbows to expose her shoulders and upper arms. Granted, the "We Can't Be Friends" hitmaker looked stunning (as she always does), but this trend totally defeated the point of outerwear.

Coats and jackets are supposed to help keep us warm, so having most of our arms exposed essentially rendered them useless. These garments are also designed to be worn over the shoulders and zipped up when needed, which often makes them appear bulky and misshapen when worn incorrectly. As cool as we thought we looked strutting around with them hanging off our elbows, it was nearly impossible to do anything practical while rocking this trend, because it was so easy for them to cover our hands or slip off our bodies completely.

Thigh-high boots were one of the hottest shoe trends of 2016. Although standard thigh-highs and over-the-knee boots still have their place in our wardrobes (they even made a huge comeback as one of the hottest boot trends of winter 2025/2026), the trend went too far in 2016. We saw so many quirky versions of the statement footwear that were neither practical nor flattering.

Olivia Culpo strutted her stuff in a black pair of cut-out thigh-highs with open toes while out in rainy New York City, and we find it hard to believe her feet weren't soaking wet and freezing. Then there was Kim Kardashian's quirky twist on the trend. Despite it being the middle of summer, she stepped out in the Hamptons in a pair of denim thigh-high boots with open toes and a rip over her knees. Though Kardashian has proven she can pull off almost anything, the thick denim over her legs from the toes up didn't flatter her figure. We're guessing they weren't the easiest shoes to get on or off, either.

Nail art was particularly huge in 2016, as manicure and pedicure inspo became more readily available thanks to the likes of Tumblr and Instagram. Over-the-top nail trends came thick and fast as early influencers attempted to outdo one another and gain an online following. We saw a particular rise in 3D nail looks, and many trend followers even began gluing real pompoms to their fingernails. The likes of jewels and chains were all the rage, too. The rise in crazy nail art even stretched to fashion runways, like at the Libertine fall/winter 2016 show, where models wore pieces of faux fur on their nails.

We're all for having fun with our nails, but there are far more practical designs out there that are easier to live with and won't damage our talons. Thankfully, 2026's nail trends are more about subtle textures and finishes, mauve shades, and micro-French tips. There's room for more color and whimsy, too, as blues and polka dots are also expected to be hot this year. So those pompoms from 2016 can stay firmly in the drawer.

One 2016 trend we'd be happy to bring back is the midi skirt. Pleated miniskirts have made more of a statement in recent months, but 10 years ago, models were strutting their stuff in this shin-length look in a range of different styles, including lace, leather, and more traditional pencil skirts. Celebrities loved this sophisticated look, too. Kristen Stewart showed us how stylish midi skirts can be when she stepped out in a cream midi with a white crop top and black-and-white marble heels at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, while Zendaya (whose style transformation is jaw dropping) also made a case for a midi skirt comeback in a pleated number as part of a co-ord look at Kode Magazine's 10th issue party.

Midi skirts are a win because they can be worn so many different ways, making them super versatile and adaptable to different body types. A-Line midis are great for skimming over the hips for those who prefer less clingy pieces on their bottom half, while pencil skirts (like the Hybrid & Company's Stretchy Office Pencil Skirt or the Urban CoCo Elastic Waist Stretch Bodycon Midi Pencil Skirt) are incredibly flattering for those who want to accentuate their curves in a more demure fashion. Then, there are pleated skirts, which can help create the illusion of curves for those with more elongated frames.

In 2016, we found a fun way to help our hair go those few extra days before a root touch-up: glitter! Glitter was a huge trend as part of the bygone era's festival fashion and makeup aesthetic — we wore it above and below our eyes, on our eyebrows and cheekbones, and via sequins on our clothes — but running chunky sparkles along our roots was by far one of the most whimsical ways we embraced it. "Teen Wolf" actor Holland Roden even showed off the shimmery look in her middle part at the MTV Video Music Awards. Sure, it may not be the most practical trend, but it was unserious and eccentric. And we could all use a little more fun in our lives in 2026.

To lead the charge and bring glitter roots back in 2026, it's important to put safety first. Always style your tresses before adding sparkle, and wash the glitter particles out of your locks the same day you put them in. "Glitter can be stunning to look at but leaving it on in your hair can be harmful for the health of your hair," Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, dermatologist and co-founder of PowerYourCurls, told Express. "Once it stays on your hair, the glitter, which is made of plastic, will melt and will leave your hair smelling like plastic and will be fried. It will even worsen when you use heat styling tools because your hair will get dry, brittle, and may weaken over time," he added. Equally, ensure you're applying products like Goolitter's Holographic Glitter or NYX Face & Body Glitter to the hair, not the scalp, to minimize the risk of skin irritation.