Smudged eyeliner and glitter under your eyes for no reason. If your TikTok FYP suddenly looks like a blurry Instagram post from 2016, with blue filters, Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, and #2016 edits set to The 1975, you’re not imagining it. The Tumblr aesthetic is back. Not as a carbon copy of the past, but as a feeling, a revival through TikTok edits, Depop hauls, and grainy photo dumps. We’ve spent years embracing minimalist looks, but the aesthetics are making a comeback. People are tired of perfection, we’re craving something expressive, chaotic, and personal.
2016 Tumblrcore Fashion TikTok
But why are we yearning for this aesthetic again? Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s burnout. Or maybe just being messy, emotional, and glittery feels more real than having to fit into a perfect box. We live in a time where everything online is perfectly polished, from your personal feeds to everyday routines shared by influencers, and yet something still feels like it’s missing. We’re now running back toward imperfection in hopes of feeling something again, we’re slowly letting ourselves embrace chaos and personal expression.
The original Tumblr era, roughly around 2013 and 2017, was a moment of dreamy chaos. Bedrooms were draped in fairy lights, Polaroids lined walls, and eyeliner was intentionally imperfect. Oversized sweaters, ripped tights, and beat-up Converse or Docs were essential for the look. Playlists rotated through Oh Wonder, Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Lana Del Rey, and The Neighbourhood, providing the perfect soundtrack for scrolling, writing, and daydreaming. Boho chic also had its moment here, with flowy skirts, fringe details, and flower crowns bringing whimsical, freespirited energy to each outfit.
Now that’s resurfacing, updated but still feeling chaotic and romantic. Glitter and smudged eyeliner remains a staple, but mixed with modern takes on the Tumblr style, it gets a brand new twist. Flash photography and photo dumps continue, now shared across TikTok and Pinterest. Flower crowns, Coachella inspired outfits, and soft, dreamy boho chic accessories have returned, proving that this isn’t just nostalgia. Even tiny details, like glitter on the eyes and cheeks make the aesthetic feel back for 2025. The Tumblr “it girl” isn’t just about fashion. It’s about romanticizing every feeling; maybe the Tumblr era never died, maybe it was just waiting for the right time to come back.