Main Character Energy, 2016 Edition

With Zara Larsson’s choreographed Lush Life taking over my For You page, and content creators treating 2026 like the new 2016, one thing is clear: there’s a sudden redirection toward being carefree and living in the moment. People are bored of letting the algorithm decide their choices—and honestly, fair. We won’t drop it overnight, but leaning into clothes we actually love feels like a fun first step.

First things first: start small, but let it be loud. Swap muted jumpers for bold knits in red, lavender, or even sunny yellow if we’re fully committing to this year’s rebrand as the new 2016. If you’re more of a sweatshirt person, let it be graphic and expressive—let your defrosted boy-band era shine through. Even if your personal style leans toward lighter shades, let one vibrant piece disrupt the monotony instead of blending in.

For outerwear, consider trading long coats or plain fleeces for something shinier. Satin bomber jackets, metallic cropped puffers, or even a classic biker jacket do the work in a way that feels effortless rather than overthought. They’re exactly the kind of pieces that make an outfit pop in those Sol de Janeiro–filtered nights-out photos.

When it comes to accessorizing, drop the Instagram-curated minimal pieces and think of jewelry as a statement. Stack it up your arm or choose earrings that announce you’ve arrived—first in spirit, then in person. And it’s not just jewelry: chunky tricolor scarves and funky socks can say it all. Right now, it’s more about the mood than practicality.

Remember, 2016 symbolized overconsumption and glorified spendthrift tendencies—but this time, we need to get it right. It’s not about recreating 2016 in excess; it’s about reclaiming its energy.

And oh—wired earphones are the crowning glory of any outfit.

My Fizzypicks for channeling rebranded-2016 energy in 2026—carefree, colorful, and unapologetically fun: