So, 2016. What a year, right? I remember it pretty vividly, not because of some grand global event, but because I found myself in a bit of a style rut. My friend was having this huge party, like, a milestone birthday, and I opened my closet and just… nothing felt right. Everything felt so… old. Not vintage cool, just old. That’s really how this whole “fashion trends 2016” thing started for me, as a personal project, you could say.
Getting Started: The Great Closet Stare-Down
It all began with me just staring at my clothes. I mean, really staring. I pulled things out, tried stuff on, and mostly just sighed a lot. I realized I hadn’t actively thought about new styles in ages. I was comfortable, sure, but also completely out of the loop. So, I decided, okay, time to do some research. This wasn’t about becoming a fashion guru, not at all. It was more about figuring out what people were actually wearing, so I wouldn’t show up looking like I’d time-traveled from 2006.
My first step was pretty basic. I started paying attention. Like, really looking at people when I was out and about. On the bus, in coffee shops, walking down the street. It’s amazing what you notice when you’re actually looking for it. I also, reluctantly at first, started flipping through some magazines at the grocery store checkout and, yeah, I even braved the wilds of fashion blogs and those picture-heavy social media sites. It felt a bit silly at first, me, taking mental notes like some kind of style detective.
The “Practice” of Spotting Trends
I actually started a little notebook. Sounds daft, I know. But I’d jot down things I saw repeatedly. It wasn’t scientific, just my own observations. Here’s some of what I remember seeing pop up everywhere that year, stuff that really stuck in my mind:
- Chokers, chokers, everywhere! Seriously, it was like the 90s threw up, but in a kind of cool way. Thin ones, thick ones, lacy ones. You couldn’t escape them. I even bought one, a simple black velvet one. Felt a bit strange at first, but hey, when in Rome.
- Off-the-shoulder tops. This was a big one. Shoulders were definitely having a moment. I saw so many variations of this, from casual t-shirts to more dressed-up blouses. It seemed like a pretty easy trend to try.
- Bomber jackets. These were huge. Satin ones, embroidered ones, plain ones. Guys and girls were rocking them. I actually found an old one of mine from years back, gave it a bit of an update, and it felt surprisingly current.
- Athleisure. This was probably the trend I noticed the most because it was so practical. People wearing their fancy leggings as actual pants, pairing sneakers with dresses. Comfort was king, and I wasn’t complaining.
I also remember seeing a lot of slip dresses, often layered over t-shirts. And denim, well, denim is always there, but it felt like there were a lot of ripped jeans and denim jackets making a strong comeback.
What I Learned (Sort Of)
So, I did all this “research,” made my notes, and eventually, I did find something to wear to that party. I didn’t go full-on trend-chaser, but I definitely felt a bit more… current. The funny thing is, this whole exercise wasn’t really about the clothes in the end. It was about paying attention, about noticing the little shifts in what’s around us. It made me look at things a bit differently for a while.
I kept that notebook for a bit, adding observations here and there. It became less about “what should I wear?” and more just a fun way to document the vibe of the time. It’s kind of amusing to look back on those notes now. Fashion moves so fast, doesn’t it? But that 2016 exploration, that was my little personal dive into what was happening, and I actually enjoyed the process way more than I thought I would.
