New year, old trends: 2026 is the new 2016

Annika Emadi, Reporter • February 13, 2026

With many complicated, difficult situations going on in the world right now, people are wishing for a better time. A time like 2016.

There are many trends resurfacing on the internet that initially gained popularity in 2016, making people feel as if the time period is almost coming back. The trends are diverse and reach a lot of different audiences, causing them to have a greater influence on the younger community.

One of the most popular trends are internet dances, which are starting to incorporate more moves that were popular in 2016, along with the songs they go with. An example of this is pop star Zara Larsson’s Lush Life dance, which has recently gone viral on platforms such as TikTok for being a new, fun dance that is different from the dances that have been popular over the past few years.

However, the internet is not the only influence. Popular clothing brands like Hollister and Levi’s have released throwback collections of popular fashion pieces from 2016, such as long, drop neck T-shirts, skinny jeans, and heavily logoed sweatshirts. Cosmetic trends like peek-a-boo hair, only dying the underside of your hair a fun, bright color, are also resurfacing. Makeup trends such as matte makeup look like the ones worn by Kylie Jenner in the 2016 King Kylie era are gaining popularity as well.

This new set of trends is causing people to reminisce about memories and think of how their lives and the world have changed since 2016. One of these people is Claremont High School freshman Scott Jere.

“I think, recently, things have been getting very boring, and I think we should all bring back that younger side from 2016,” Jere said. “It really felt brighter and more carefree.”

Jere expressed similar feelings to those also engulfed and influenced by the recent 2016 rebirth in culture. Many people believe that 2016 was overall an easier time when life was more carefree, simple, and enjoyable. So, should 2026 be the new 2016?

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About the Contributors

Annika Emadi, Reporter

Annika Emadi (stuffed animal collector and master chef) is a freshman at Claremont High School and is excited for her first year on the Wolfpacket as a Reporter. English assignments, the Wolfpacket, the Cookie Jar Club at CHS, and writing at home have all helped Emadi form a passion for literature. She writes fiction stories in her free time and adores realistic fiction and rom-com novels. Emadi also has a passion for food and has fond memories of learning to cook with her mother. After school, Emadi finds joy in her recreational volleyball league and volleyball clinics. Though she has little time, she always finds a moment for her pets. Her two dogs and her cat have given her a strong love for animals. In fact, she collects stuffed animals, and she is particularly proud of her giant teddy bear. Emadi is ready to join the Wolfpacket staff this year and share her stories!

Hannah Fang, Reporter & Artist

Hannah Fang is a freshman this year and is joining the Wolfpacket as an Artist/Photographer/Reporter. In her time spent not suffering at school, she takes swimming lessons and practices martial arts. She has a huge passion for sleeping, eating—basically living, and in addition to that, she loves her pets and heading to The Claremont Club to work out. Her pets consist of her two big dogs, a curly kitty, a bird, and her turtle. She might as well get the rest of the pet store, honestly. She also has a brain-rotted, annoying younger brother who is in the third grade. Besides that, Fang is a very loud and outgoing person who’s not afraid to voice her opinion (unless she is all alone). These opinions consist of pineapple that does not belong on pizza, skinny jeans are ugly, chocolate is overrated, and Averie’s boyfriend is an opp. Some fun facts about her are her talents for being loud, sneaking around at night, eating one too many cherries, and making countless references whenever she can, which most of them an average person wouldn’t get. She is currently looking forward to Halloween and Christmas so she can get her free stuff in, and getting through the year to finally have another summer break, even though we just got back to school.