Peak pop music, Instagram poses, Snapchat filters and funny, timeless trends are all vibes from 2016 that have remerged within only one month of 2026, which is starting to feel a lot like 2016 all over again.
For most, 2016 truly felt like a simpler, happier time. That’s what it felt like for Molly Giusti, a junior elementary education major.
“I think 2016 was very nostalgic because life was so saturated back then, so I think life just seemed brighter and happier back then,” Giusti said.
2016 was also the birth of many iconic trends. For starters, the bottle flip challenge. It first became popular when a high schooler successfully landed a water bottle flip in a school talent show. The video of it went viral and inspired many others to take on the challenge, sparking a trend.
In late 2016, the mannequin challenge became popular. It was a short video of a group of people posed frozen, like mannequins. Videos got more and more elaborate and humorous as the trend went on.
Another trend was the continuation of the dab. Even though it originated in 2015, it continued to be a staple in the trends of 2016, and even reemerged in 2026.
But did the dab ever really go away, or did it simply evolve alongside the music and pop culture of the time?
The music that was popular in 2016 has also made a comeback in 2026. Rihanna, Drake, Justin Bieber, Zara Larsson and Sia, all helped define that year in pop music.
Many students have noticed this comeback, including Sydney Auterson, a sophomore biology major, who enjoys a wide range of genres.
“[Lately] I’ve definitely been listening to the same music that was really popular in 2016,” Auterson said.
Some of the most popular songs from 2016 were “Closer” by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey, “One Dance” by Drake, “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber and “Cheap Thrills” by Sia.
According to Spotify, the top listened to artist in 2016 was Drake.
Zara Larson has made a big comeback this year as well. Continuing her success from 2025 and the “dolphin meme,” she went on tour to perform her new album and classic hits. A dance to her song, “Lush Life,” has been going viral, displaying the fun and whimsy of her tour and the vibes of 2016.
Another reemergence from 2016 is clothing style. 2016’s leading trends were bomber jackets, chokers, off-the-shoulder tops and ultra-skinny jeans. Off shoulder shirts give a casual, laid back vibe that dominated the 2016 fashion sphere.
“The off-the-shoulder shirts have had a big comeback,” Auterson said.
Summer Baum, also a sophomore biology major, gave her take on the 2016 trends reemerging.
“Me and my friends brought back 2016 by doing 2016 makeup and we posted it on Instagram with all of the filters that were popular,” Baum said.
Social media was a big element of the 2016 culture. Musical.ly, Snapchat filters and Instagram poses were all the rage.
Musical.ly, a lip-syncing and dancing video app, was incredibly popular in 2016. It allowed users to post lip syncs and dancing videos for up to 15 seconds, including their favorite songs and fun filters. In 2018 it merged into TikTok. But with the reemergence of 2016 trends, many TikTok users have been posting lip synch videos in the style of Musical.ly videos.
“I would make like 30 Musical.lys in my room in the same shirt and I’d post them all,” Giusti said.
Some Snapchat filters that were popular in 2016 were the dog ears, flower crown, face swap and face-altering filters.
Many students and GCSU student organizations have taken to Instagram to reshare photos from 2016.
“Heard it was 2016 so we brought it back to founding year!” students from the Delta Gamma organization posted on Instagram.
All the photos had a filter on them and displayed fashion and poses that were popular in that era.
In short, the reemergence of trends, music and fashion has brought back the good vibes 2016 in 2026.
“I think that [2016 trends reemerging] is making life feel happier again,” Giusti said.
