Fashion in 2016 was the beginning of baggy street wear, Adidas and dad hats. This era of fashion is the root of most of today’s fashion trends as we continue to move forward in time so does fashion. This year was also the rise of the peak “Instagram style” and the rise of athleisure. Fashion back then was driven by “it girls” like Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid and, these fashion icons continue to lead fashion trends as we move into 2026.
Some of the main accessories in 2016 consisted of: Chokers, Bomber Jackets, off the shoulder tops, velvet everything, Thigh High boots, and dad hats. These accessories were considered the starter pack for 2016 because almost everyone had them. Chokers were popular during this time period because they offered a rebellious look that was easy to replicate. Velvet fabric was everything from shoes to jackets they were favored because they look great in saturated filters of Instagram at the time. Thigh high boots were constantly seen on Ariana Grande and they turned over sized t-shirts or hoodies into “outfits,” creating a silhouette that was both cozy and high-fashion. dad hats were curved and unstructured. They were the pinnacle of “effortless” cool. Off the shoulder shirts were the “it” look for vacations and brunch!
In 2016, footwear went from Neon Highlighter shoes to sock like minimalism and bulky retro silhouettes it was the year that Adidas took over Nike in the “cool factor”. Adidas superstars was the number one bets selling sneaker in 2016, the simple white leather and black striped were inescapable. Nike Roshe Run, although towards the end of the year the hype started to fade it remained a massive seller because of its comfort and affordable price. Another popular “event” involving shoes in 2016 was the Fenty x Puma Creeper. Rihannas Fenty Puma slides started the outdoor slipper trend which led to everyone wearing fuzzy slides at the mall.
In 2016, fashion underwent a pivotal shift toward athlisure, baggy street wear, and “Instagramready” aesthetics—a foundation that continues to influence trends in 2026. This era was defined by a transition from flashy neon footwear to minimalist “sock” designs and bulky retros, and the moment Adidas surpassed Nike in “cool factor” with the ubiquitous Superstar and the Roshe Run. 2016 was truly the “Year of the Aesthetic.” Beyond the basics, it was a time of interesting strange trends that still carry into today!
