In the early months of 2026, nostalgia has taken flight and landed back in 2016. A decade later, the culture of Snapchat dog filters, frozen yogurt runs, cheetah print and viral pop anthems is being rewound in real time, proving that trends never disappear, they resurface when the culture needs them to. As people look back on these trends, modern culture is bringing back what felt fun and uncomplicated.
One of the most surprising and favorable returns is the frozen yogurt craze. Once a staple of every shopping mall, froyo shops had faded into declining numbers by the early 2020s. Now, they are returning to teenage culture due to their self service machines, endless toppings and customizations and the illusion of healthy yogurt. In a world dominated by trends, froyo offers a nostalgic spoonful of 2010s culture. Unlike many modern food trends, froyo interactive and special, letting customers control exactly what they want to get.
“My favorite childhood memories consist of going to Sunset Place and Game Time all while patiently waiting for my treat of the day which was froyo at Menchies frozen yogurt, so it makes me so happy that froyo is making a comeback,” sophomore Elena Diaz said.
However, social media is where the 2016 rewind is most visible. Platforms are increasingly popular with fashion filters that mimic the aesthetics of the 2010s. From grainy overlays to washed-out colors, teens are bringing back the aesthetic. Even Snapchat’s once retired filters such as flower crowns, dog ears and exaggerated freckles have modern versions. While today’s filters are sleeker and more customizable, the influence is undeniable.
“I love using filters as my streaks for the day, they add personality and remind me of what my snaps used to look like when I was younger,” freshman Genesis Browne said.
Fashion has also followed 2026 with the return of 2016 style, brining oversized denim jackets, chokers, graphic tees and a bring-back of athleisure. Casual teenage fashion is now being rebranded as vintage. The irony is that many of the people wearing these looks were barely old enough to participate in them the first time around.
“The 2026 look is super chic and different, my 13 year old sister just got a cheetah print belt, I was super surprised because she was three in 2016,” freshman Isabella Mora said.
Music plays an equally important role in the rewind this time around. Songs that once dominated car radios and Vine edits are resurfacing on playlists and trending audio clips. Lush Life by then-popular and again-rising artist Zara Larsson has been trending on TikTok and has now been in the top trending sounds for weeks. A single chorus can instantly transport listeners back to a simpler era filled with color and fashion that people miss so much this year.
The revival of 2016 goes deeper than trend recycling, it represents rewinding to a time remembered for its lightheartedness, allowing people to quickly escape the pressures of the present. While the past may be seen as boring, the comfort it provides is very real.
“When I make my instagram stories, there is always so many options for different filters to put on the post and I have never even thought to use one, but lately I have been switching to using them to add a special affect to my story, just like the old days when I was a kid” sophomore Sophie Space said.
In the end, the 2016 rewind trend is not about recreating the past perfectly, but it is about reimagining it and blending nostalgia with modern creativity. From fray cups to filtered selfies, 2016 is back not because it is needed, but because looking backward helps us move forward.
