Gen Z, despite their young age, is experiencing a wave of nostalgia for the mid-2010s, particularly 2016. This article explores the standout fashion, tech, and beauty items that defined the era, from wired headphones and Pokémon Go to chokers and Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, based on interviews with 19-29 year olds.
At the ripe age of 24, I didn’t believe I was old enough to feel nostalgic for my youth. But the internet thinks otherwise. Overnight, my TikTok feed went from dewy makeup, six-seven memes and Heated Rivalry fan edits to blinding highlights, matte lipstick and mannequin challenge videos. From Billie Eilish to Simone Biles to my former classmates, gen Z has been flooding social media with throwback pictures and montages. Many of us are experiencing nostalgia for an era largely defined by Snapchat filters, selfies and skinny jeans. While I don’t long to relive my freshman year of high school, I’ll admit that some products popular that year – such as fidget spinners and the infamous green army jacket – have become permanently etched into our generation’s mind’s eye. So what are the standout items from 2016 – the things making us so nostalgic in the first place? I recruited fellow gen Zers aged 19 through 29 to time travel back, asking them to try recalling the items they personally loved. (Some items were technically popular the year before or after, but still reminded them of 2016.) Many listed the pricey makeup they purchased, remembering our generation’s collective fixation on YouTube’s “beauty gurus” and heavy makeup looks. (Their answers unlocked a buried memory of the coveted highlighter that took up real estate in my and so many teens’ makeup bags.) If you’re gifting someone nostalgic, hunting for an outfit for a 2016-themed party or simply want to reconnect with your younger self, this list of 22 items is for you. Read more of our retro recommendations: Fifteen nostalgic gifts in the US that will take you back to simpler times What’s in your ‘analog bag’? Unpacking the viral trend – in a stuffed tote The gadgets that defined 2016, according to gen Z What I loved: Apple wired headphones Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $15.96 at Amazon $15.96 at Staples Right now, we’re seeing a resurgence of wired headphones. Yet for me, they’ll always remind me of my high school days, before AirPods became popular. I wore my headphones everywhere, bringing them to class and trying to keep them tangle-free in my black hole of a backpack. And Polaroid cameras Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart Fujifilm instax Mini SE $55 at Walmart Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Fujifilm instax Mini 12 $83.71 at Amazon While I technically didn’t get my camera until a few years later (I won my prom’s raffle), I remember coveting a Polaroid for years. I always wanted to create one of those trendy Polaroid walls for my room. Here’s what everyone else loved to use in 2016. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images Pokémon Go Free download at Apple I enjoyed trying to catch them all. Matthew, 22 Fidget spinners Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $8.99 at Amazon It was kind of a stress reliever. If you were bored in class or walking around on campus, you just had a fidget spinner. Haley, 29 Rainbow Loom bracelet making kit Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $19.97 at Amazon $19.97 at Walmart I loved Rainbow Loom. I made fishtail and starburst bracelets. Jordan, 19 S’well water bottle Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $34.54 at Amazon $45 at S’well Water bottles weren’t a thing like they are now. I feel like the S’well kicked off water bottles as a status symbol. I loved mine, and I would bring it to school every single day. Jessica, 25 Crosley record player Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $71.95 at Amazon $74.99 at Wayfair I got it for college. I was a big Black Keys fan back then. Rita, 27 Beats over-the-ear headphones Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon From $149.95 at Amazon $149.95 at B&H Photo Video Over-the-ear headphones were a thing for sure. I listened to Frank Ocean’s album, Blonde. Ava, 28 The fashion staples that defined 2016, according to gen Z What I loved: Black high-top Converse Photograph: Courtesy of Zappos $64.96 at DSW $65 at Zappos I remember thinking that my Converse were the epitome of cool. Wearing a pair of these while listening to Cage the Elephant made me feel like I could conquer the world. I still love Converse sneakers and have purchased multiple pairs throughout the year. Here’s what everyone else loved to wear in 2016. Photograph: Courtesy of Etsy Chokers $8.99 at Etsy The chokers were everywhere. If you didn’t have a choker, you weren’t cool. Haley, 29 Modcloth dresses Photograph: Courtesy of Modcloth From $12.79 at ModCloth I remember being really into Modcloth. That brand specifically feels very 2016 for me. I got my senior picture dress there for sure. I feel like it was in the twee Tumblr, peak Zoey Deschanel era. Rita, 27 Calvin Klein bralettes Photograph: Courtesy of Calvin Klein $20 at Calvin Klein $36.91 at Amazon I couldn’t afford to go to the actual Calvin Klein store, but they sold them at TJ Maxx. Greta, 26 Green army jacket Photograph: Courtesy of Macy’s $79.99 at Macy’s The green army jacket and the lace-up crop tops. That was the key 2016 house party look. Haley, 29 Adidas platform sneakers Photograph: Courtesy of Adidas From $60 at Nordstrom $100 at Adidas I went to high school in Paris, and everyone wore Adidas Stan Smith’s year round. It did not matter if it was super cold, people would still wear them with skinny jeans. Greta, 26 Adidas NMD sneakers Photograph: Courtesy of Stock X $149.90 at Amazon $168 at Stock X They were super comfortable and cool. I was late on the trend. Gino, 22 The (full glam) makeup and skincare that defined 2016, according to gen Z Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon Elizaveca Milky Piggy foam mask $8 at Marshall’s $9.70 at Amazon There was a crazy face mask made of clay that would bubble up when you applied it. Claire, 27 Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon $19.20 at Amazon $19.20 at Ulta I used that all the time, every single day. I feel like it’s one of those markers of 2016 beauty. And I had really bad acne in high school, so I loved the Tarte concealer. Jessica, 25 Anastasia Beverly Hills brow kit Photograph: Courtesy of Ulta $17.40 at Ulta $29 at Sephora It was just me and my eyebrows against the world. Bridget, 26 Becca Champaign Pop Highlighter Photograph: Courtesy of Ulta $42 at Ulta $42 at Nordstrom It was one of the first years that highlighters became a thing, and if you were going to get a highlighter, it was going to be Champagne Pop. Jessica, 25 Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora $53 at Sephora $59 at Macy’s I think I got one in 2016, and I still have it. You had to have a Naked eyeshadow palette. Ava, 28
