As a new year begins, so does another cycle of fashion and trends! Amelia McCarthy takes you on a journey down memory lane of 6’s past to revisit staples that may give hint to what 2026 has in store.
As you may have seen online, the year 2016 is definitely trending right now, with many predicting that the style of that year will have a comeback in 2026. But what exactly dominated the fashion world in 2016? And what about the years 2006 and 1996? Will they have a say for the trends 2026?
2016 was the year of high waisted jeans, we saw slip dresses that were paired casually with oversized bomber jackets. Coachella was the fashion show of the year with celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Taylor Swift serving in suede shorts, bralettes and boho fringe galore. As for accessories… who can forget the infamous choker that rocked the world, alongside the oversized sunglasses of the summer of 2016. If you were a preteen girl like I was that year, perhaps the biggest fashion trend for you was the JoJo bow that took primary schools by storm, this is one trend I predict college students will definitely not be bringing back!
Who can forget the infamous choker that rocked the world, alongside the oversized sunglasses of the summer of 2016?
As for 2006, capri pants, dresses over jeans and vibrant coloured everything was in trend! This time 20 years ago fashionistas like Paris Hilton and Beyonce stepped out in sequins as well as chunky chandelier earrings. Belts were chunky and served no function other than to spice up an outfit and bangles were stacked upon bangles. And just like 2016, massive sunglasses were in - in 2006.
In the year that saw the spice girls and Clueless shoot to fame, bright and vibrant colours trended hard in 1996. Matching, colourful sets were popular along with miniskirts and sports clothes as streetwear. Hairbands were everywhere along with chunky earrings. Slip dresses and chokers were in fashion this time 30 years ago just like in 2016, showing the cyclical nature of fashion trends!
One thing is clear, in the years of prior 6’s fashion is funky, maximalist and often times tacky (in a good way!). Despite the fact, this is quite contrasting to the clean girl, business casual aesthetic that seemed to trend in 2025, I do believe we will be seeing a return of 1996, 2006 and in particular 2016 fashion in the coming year.
Already, looking at celebrities such as Addison Rae we can see how capri pants, chunky belts and bows have had a comeback that will no doubt continue into 2026. With oversized leather and denim jackets being a current staple in wardrobes worldwide, I can see the potential for a classic, easy to style bomber jacket making a resurgence in the coming year. I imagine Coachella 2016 being a huge influence for style at events everywhere this summer, with fringe, chokers, bangles and huge sunglasses appearing on our feeds and at festivals like Forbidden Fruit and Electric Picnic.
I imagine Coachella 2016 being a huge influence for style at events everywhere this summer, with fringe, chokers, bangles and huge sunglasses appearing on our feeds and at festivals like Forbidden Fruit and Electric Picnic.
Slip dresses are a staple and while I don’t think they ever have or will truly go out of fashion I can see a casual slip dress becoming a staple in 2026 wardrobes just like they once were in 2016 and 1996. In fact, I think slip dresses over jeans, tying in 2006 trends, could be a new IT girl look this year. The best part about old trends cycling into fashion again is that using Vinted, Depop and your local charity shops you can find the most beautiful, sustainable and authentic to the time pieces to make your wardrobe scream 2016, 2006 or 1996!