It was Coachella, It was 2016
By Nicole Midiri
Let’s put the rumors to rest, 2016 is back. The nostalgia of the good old days has spread through social media again with TikTok being at the center. As old videos have been remade and memorable clothing comes out of hiding, the bold, body-conscious silhouettes of the era have resurfaced. Guess it’s time for all the Marist students to start wearing skinny jeans again!
Photographed | Grace Bolander
Grace Elmer, a fellow fashion merchandising student, attended Coachella a few years ago and provided insight into the event. "In my experience, fashion and self-expression played a huge part in my Coachella experience! Not just for myself but observing the ways self-expression translates onto others through their festival outfits.” Elmer said. At a place where self-expression feels important, it’s fascinating to look back over the years and see how everyone adopted trends and made them their own.
If you need a refresher on what was popular a decade ago, here’s a checklist. Make sure to wear the tightest jeans and feel free to distress rips into them. Get a pair of pointed toe ankle boots or Gucci-style mules. Choose millennial soft pink for the color of the top and maybe add some fringe. Then, finish the look with a skinny scarf or choker to bring the classic look together. And don’t forget the bomber jacket for some extra warmth!
“2016 was known for the simple yet statement looks, and most of them never fully went out of style — they’re just evolving now. ”
Photographed | Grace Bolander
The “it girls” of 2016 Coachella transformed festival fashion into a more elevated influencer-driven style. Festival fashion has transformed into an iconic factor that could arguably have more pressure than the actual music itself.
Gen Z girls post videos with their friends in flowy, tight and relaxed fits, posting with an older song from 2016, celebrating the nostalgia. We have celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Gigi Hadid, Kylie and Kendall Jenner to thank for making this more than a trend but a lifestyle. Hudgens was classic for wearing more of a boho style to Coachella. She really embraced the iconic flower crown and flowy outfits, which showed a type of movement. Hadid and the Jenner sisters, were the true leaders of the 2016 Coachella style.
When reflecting on why 2016 is coming back into trend, Elmer emphasized Gen-Z's desire for simpler times, “It is representative of a generation that has been raised by rapidly evolving technology, social disconnection, and an environmentally/politically unstable world.” Gen Z is now aging into the group that once dominated Coachella culture in an incredibly different world.
Photographed | Grace Bolander
Although people can’t go back in time, it’s important to notice the re-defined era in 2026. Coachella, being such an important music festival itself, has an entire dress code that influenced the trends in 2016 even more. These looks were never outdated, just understated. Every Marist student should bring back a staple from 2016 into their wardrobe to embrace the cultural shift even further.
