Throwback to ✨2016 ✨
I was a junior going into my senior year of highschool in 2016.
Here is a glimpse at what is was like a decade ago as a teenager.
-Lana Del Rey was finally gaining traction, hence the USA flagged shorts.
-Trump wasn’t elected just yet
-Converse were a must with any outfit
- We loved Snapchat it was prime form of communication & taking pictures! We didn’t know ten years from now they’d start making you pay to keep your memories.
-Speaking of Snapchat the flower crown & dog filter were selfie standard
-Selfies were so common, there’s a song about it.
-Everything was ‘aesthetic’ & you achieved being ‘aesthetic’ by using VSCO
-TyeDye was a personal staple in the closet
-Solid V-Nick + Skinny jeans was standard fashion practice for first day of senior year.
-Side parts, no one knew what a middle part was yet.
-Your bedroom was teal, filled with photos you positioned on your wall like a gridded heart you saw on tumblr.
-You collected peace tea & Arizona cans
-You spent Friday nights walking through Walmart
-Had your last spirit week of highschool, one of your favorites!
-You lived in the moment, aware time was fleeing but unaware of just how fast it would go.
Reflecting on 2016 brings a flood of memories about teenage life that many can relate to. Back then, Snapchat was not only a communication tool but a key part of social life. The flower crown and dog filters weren’t just popular—they were essential for every selfie, shaping how we shared our daily moments. I remember spending hours curating my bedroom wall with photos arranged perfectly in a grid pattern, inspired by Tumblr aesthetics—teal walls and all. Fashion was comfort and style combined: tie-dye shirts, solid V-neck tees, and skinny jeans formed the ultimate outfit formula, enhanced by Converse sneakers that completed every look. Friday nights often meant simple pleasures like walking through Walmart with friends, soaking in the carefree vibe of youth. Collecting Peace Tea and Arizona cans was a fun quirk among my peers, adding to the small joys of high school days. The side-part hairstyle was ubiquitous—we hadn’t yet embraced the middle part trend that is common today. Music, especially from emerging artists like Lana Del Rey, provided the perfect backdrop for these formative moments. Our senior year was underscored by spirit week festivities, creating lasting memories as we prepared to step into adulthood. Looking back, it’s striking how quickly time passed, even as we tried to savor every moment. The sense of living in the present, unaware of how those experiences would shape us, is something I cherish deeply. Sharing these memories not only offers a snapshot of 2016 teen culture but also reminds us of the timeless joys and challenges of growing up.
