The year is now 2026, but the internet has decided it’s still not ready to move on… from 2016. That’s right, if you’ve been on social media lately, you’ll see millions of people online getting hit with a huge wave of nostalgia for 2016, and who can blame them? 2016 was an iconic year for pop culture. The music, the style, the vibes — everything was perfect.
2016 is often associated with the L.A. aesthetic and the idea of teens living carefree and effortlessly cool lives. I was only 10 years old at the time, so I feel like I didn’t fully have the chance to appreciate how iconic and fun it was. To this day, I’m still jealous of people who can say they were teenagers in 2016.
2026 might be my chance, and yours too! So many brands and celebs are picking up on this craving for 2016 and the feeling it gave us, and they’re giving the people what they want. So, allow me to show you exactly how 2026 is giving us opportunities to relive the magic of 2016!
ARIANA GRANDE IS BACK ON TOUR
Much like it is now, Ariana Grande’s career was on fire in 2016. This was the year she released her third studio album, Dangerous Woman, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Every song was a banger, solidifying her as the pop diva. I’m not kidding when I say that lives were changed when she dropped her “Into You” music video. The music video perfectly captures the 2016 vibe with its Coachella-inspired desert aesthetic.
While Grande’s career is still extremely successful, especially with her taking on the role of Glinda in Wicked, she hasn’t been performing her music live for quite some time. The last time Grande went on tour was in 2019 for her Sweetener World Tour. This was a pre-pandemic era that feels so distant and long ago.
Her fans, myself included, have been patiently waiting for her return, and in 2025, the wait came to an end.
On Aug. 28, 2025, Grande posted a tour poster on Instagram, revealing that in 2026, she’ll be hitting the road for her Eternal Sunshine Tour. She’s kicking off the tour on June 6 in Oakland, California. She’s then heading to other North American cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Montreal before finishing in London.
I personally really hope to go because I haven’t seen Grande live since 2014! A lot has changed since then for both of us. Regardless, Grande being back on tour is just so reminiscent of her 2016-2019 era, where she was constantly at the top of the charts and putting on amazing performances.
TRIANGL NEOPRENE BIKINIS ARE BACK
If you scrolled Instagram in the early to mid 2010s, you would have seen girls wearing Triangl’s iconic neoprene bikinis across your feed. It was a very specific look, famous for its sculpted appearance and bright neon colors.
I specifically remember watching MyLifeAsEva videos and seeing her post in this bikini all the time. I wanted one so bad, but being a 10-year-old, I was way too young.
Triangl discontinued this swimwear style, and people have been begging for it to be brought back. They caught the memo that 2026 is the new 2016, as the brand recently announced on Instagram that a new era of neoprene is coming with their Valentina collection.
They’ve made some updates featuring lighter construction and temporary designs. Don’t you worry, though; they kept what we loved: the sharp lines, the support, and the bold colors. Lucky for us girls, the collection is available to shop on their website! You already know this collection is going to be a staple in my summer wardrobe.
ZARA LARSSON IS TRENDING AGAIN
If I had to pick someone who best represents the 2016 era, it would be Zara Larsson. Her songs “Lush Life,” “Never Forget You,” and “Symphony” were always number one in my household and every other. She has such a fun, summery, and carefree vibe that perfectly matches the 2016 era.
However, since 2017, Larsson struggled to remain in the public eye. Her songs were performing better in Europe than in North America, and she seemed to lose momentum. But everything changed with the release of her album Midnight Sun in June 2025. And of course, the symphony dolphin meme didn’t hurt.
Larsson took advantage of the trend and embraced it completely. The music video for “Midnight Sun” is set in a tropical paradise, where she’s seen wearing bright clothes for the beach and summery jewelry.
When she performs on stage now, she’s always dancing — amazingly, I might add — wearing bright glittery makeup and warm colors like pink, blue, and orange. She just looks like summer and a ray of sunshine, which is what defined 2016.
Larsson seems to only be on the rise, so I hope to see her continue to bring these 2016 vibes for the whole year and every year.
I hope you were transported to 2016 while reading this, and remember, the time may pass, but we can always keep the same good vibes in every era we’re in. So, let’s take this 2016 carefree summer energy wherever we go.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest!