From collecting Shopkins and Pokémon cards to drinking colorful Starbucks drinks, the year 2016 has happily lived through the minds of many Americans. For most, 2016 was filled with trendy music, beach trips, and an unforgettable, fun vibe. So unforgettable that some even considered 2026 the new version of 2016, which set off a viral social media trend.

“Since this whole concept went super viral, I think that with that many people trying to bring 2016 back, it’s sounding like a possibility,” senior Holy Yanni said. 

Senior Andrew Escobar also agreed and shared his opinion on the topic. 

“I feel like 2026 is the new 2016 because it just feels unpredictable and nostalgic,” Escobar said. “Many features and trends of 2016 seem to be emerging again, and the music and culture feel similar, too.”

Although students acknowledge that 2026 has brought back similar trends and vibes from a decade ago, some students wish that 2016 could simply remain a fond memory. 

“No, I don’t want 2026 to be the new 2016 because it was such an amazing year that we experienced,” Escobar said. “Even though we were young, nothing could really compare to how that year went.”

Yanni also said she feels that 2016 should remain its own year.

“I understand why some people don’t like the concept and would prefer to just let 2026 be 2026,” Yanni said. “We can’t recreate a whole year for a trend, so 2026 is still gonna be 2026 but with a fun throwback twist.”

Though 2016 was 10 years ago, students still remember core memories of that year. 

“I have many memories of 2016; of going to Disneyland, and going to the beach almost every day,” senior Sebastian Meza said. 

Escobar also recalled fond memories of 2016.

“I believe the music and culture was certainly special. I’m a big Drake fan, and his music that year was phenomenal,” Escobar said. “Some of the memories I have is playing Pokémon Go with my friends since it was a newer game.”

While some students recalled memories of old games and fun trips, other students looked back at the way social media used to be.

“The thing I miss the most about 2016 was the media at the time,” Yanni said. “Things like the music and the vibe YouTube had, and even the humor was really lighthearted and silly, and people weren’t so worried about being cringe.”

Senior Hayley Becker said she also misses the way social media used to be.

“What I miss about 2016 is the fact that social media didn’t have a huge impact on everyone,” Becker said. “It was a fun app to use and bond with friends, and I think that’s how it should be. I also feel like in 2016, people were more carefree.” 

According to the usatoday.com article, “Why some people want to go back to 2016,” by Kate Perez, many people are actively bringing back different trends that were popular in 2016; this includes aesthetics. 

“I think the obsession with LA at the time had to be my favorite part of the 2016 aesthetic,” Yanni said. “It just felt so ‘teenager’ and young, free, and happy.”

Escobar spoke on how he liked the fashion sense of 2016.

“Some of the aesthetics I liked were the graphic tees, tattoos, and Heelys that kids would wear,” Escobar said. “I enjoyed wearing them, and the tattoos were very artistic whenever I came across a person who has some.”

Meza also agreed, claiming that the aesthetics he missed the most were “the trends and the way people dressed.”

While some people were head over heels for the different aesthetics of 2016, others claim to find it all a bit “tacky” but nostalgic, nonetheless. 

“Though I find 2016 aesthetics tacky, it’s nostalgic,” Becker said. “Seeing the way people used to edit photos takes me back, and I find it funny how moustaches were on everything. I still wish I got to try the Unicorn Frappuccino at Starbucks, even though it was probably horrible. Lastly, I think 2016 music is great. I’ll gladly listen to it any day of the week.” 

Due to the popular notion that 2026 is the new 2016, it begs one question: if offered one more day in 2016, what would students do? Would they participate in long-lost trends? Go for a road trip? When asked, students gave insight to their “perfect throwback day.”

“The first thing I would [do] if I went back to 2016 is the trends and the beach for sure,” Meza said.

Yanni also explained her perfect 2016 day.

“If I were to time-travel back to 2016 as a kid, honestly, I’d live it the same way I did back then, but if I were a teenager, I’d bring all my friends and drive to Starbucks with the windows down, listening to whatever music was trending back then,” Yanni said. 

Becker explained she would also take a trip to Starbucks.

“If I could travel back to 2016, I’d run to get a Unicorn Frappuccino and go to the beach with my sister to make an ‘iconic’ Instagram post,” Becker said. 

Overall, 2016 has become a popular year for resurrecting old trends, and while many students enjoy participating in them once again, they mostly agreed that 2016 should remain its own year.