Happy New Year from the Beacon!! As 2026 makes its introduction and the seniors gear up for graduation, it is time to discuss the fashion trends I want to see this year! Now a decade past 2016, I think it’s time for the resurrection of the aesthetic and vibe of the best year of my life (granted, I was 7). 

It seems I’m not the only one with this opinion. According to TikTok, during the first week of the new year, searches for 2016 climbed up 452%.

The year is 2016: slime is all the rage and Pokemon Go is the game to play. Instagram is flooded with the rosy Paris filter and the nostalgic blare of the Chainsmokers. SnapChat stories featuring bold cat eye eyeliner and colorful eyeshadow are hard to miss, and skinny jeans reign supreme. 

Now in 2026, we need to bring back the saturation and fun of 2016. It’s time to bring back LA culture and worship the iconic pink wall that every single YouTube influencer seemed to visit. Throw on some ripped skinny jeans and too high black boots, people! Put on a full beat for school and show up with extremely matte makeup, topped off by a Kylie Jenner lip kit. Take out that dusty hoverboard and take it for a joyride around the block just to feel something.

At the heart of the sudden obsession with 2016 culture is a hope for a simpler time, a time not marred by continually disappointing political outcomes and growing unrest. Even through the hardships, I am hopeful of a brighter future as we come into this new year. I hope that not only can we bring the vibe of 2016, but the tolerance and woke wonder of the era. •