A new trend has taken over Instagram feeds, with people revisiting moments from a decade ago, specifically from 2016. Dubbed ‘2026 is the new 2016’, the trend has struck a nostalgic chord online.
With the arrival of the new year comes the promise of fresh starts. It is a time when people set new resolutions, explore new possibilities, and think about how they want to shape their lives going forward. Yet, alongside this forward-looking energy, there is always a strong pull to look back. And right now, social media seems to be doing exactly that.
Official return of the chaos era
People everywhere are scrolling through their camera rolls like archaeologists, searching for the perfect throwback to prove that life peaked when Snapchat filters were aggressive and eyeliner was a full-time job.
This trend is less about aesthetics and more about vibes. Messy, over-saturated, emotionally unhinged vibes.
A new trend has taken over Instagram feeds, with people revisiting moments from a decade ago, specifically from 2016. Dubbed ‘2026 is the new 2016’, the trend has struck a nostalgic chord online.
Back in India, 2016 was also packed with pop culture moments that broke the internet. It was the year Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made global headlines with her bold purple lipstick at the Cannes Film Festival, while a heavily pregnant Kareena Kapoor Khan walked the ramp in a stunning Sabyasachi ensemble.
Why 2016 still has us in a chokehold
For many, 2016 was the year of viral moments, unforgettable music, and chaotic internet energy. Think Mannequin Challenge videos, Hamilton mania, meme culture in its prime, and even those creepy clown sightings that had everyone checking behind bushes.
Social media users have been longing for that era for years, posting nostalgic clips and captions like “Wake up, it is 2016” or “It is officially 2016 again.” Now, in 2026, the longing has turned into a full-blown digital revival.
The look: Filters, chokers, and questionable makeup
The photos flooding timelines are pure vintage internet. We are talking shiny foundation, bold brows, matte lips, and enough contour to sculpt a marble statue. Pencil skirts, knee-high boots, and chokers are making surprise appearances like it is fashion week, 2016 edition.
Snapchat filters are also back in their full glory. Flower crowns. Dog ears. That soft-focus blur that made everyone look like a fairy with Wi-Fi.
Nothing screams “2016” like a photo that looks like it was edited on a toaster.
The soundtrack of the throwback
Every great era needs a soundtrack, and this one is powered by peak mid-2010s hits. The Chainsmokers and Halsey’s “Closer”, DRAM and Lil Yachty’s “Broccoli”, and Jon Bellion’s “All Time Low” are doing emotional damage in the best way possible.
These songs are not just background music. They are memory triggers.
Why is 2016 fueling such nostalgia?
Part of the fascination, according to social media users, is that 2016 feels like the last year before the world shifted. In the macro sense, it marked the final year of President Barack Obama’s two-term presidency, and the ushering in of the Trump era. It was in 2016 that the U.K. voted to leave the European Union, known as Brexit.
But the year was also huge for pop culture, marking the debut of the recently wrapped Stranger Things and the release of Beyoncé’s Lemonade. Selena Gomez’s Instagram feed was elite, the Chainsmokers’ “Closer” played nonstop on the radio, and Hamilton was a hot ticket. Everyone was obsessed with Snapchat’s puppy dog filter, and Pokémon Go had us in a chokehold. A pink Starbucks drink was worthy of photographing.
Beyond fashion and internet trends, 2016 was also a landmark year for cinema, as Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for The Revenant. And not to forget, 2016 was also the year Netflix made its entry into India. It was also when the Mannequin Challenge took over the internet, with almost everyone joining in.
Also Read| Is There Any ‘Ideal’ Time to Have Dinner; 5 Advantages of Eating Early Before Bed
