Alright, let’s talk about 2016 women’s fashion. Feels like a different era now, doesn’t it? But I remember diving into it back then, trying to get a feel for what was actually happening on the streets and in the shops. It wasn’t just about scrolling endlessly, you actually had to, you know, look around.
How I Started Digging In
So, my first move was pretty old school. I actually went out. Walked through the main shopping areas, peeked into windows. You can tell a lot from what the stores are pushing, right? I’d also grab a few of those fashion magazines – yeah, the paper ones! – and just flip through them, see what caught my eye, what themes kept popping up. Online blogs were becoming a thing too, the more personal ones, not the super glossy corporate sites. I spent a good bit of time just absorbing, trying to see the bigger picture before jumping on any bandwagons.
Spotting the Big Trends
After a while, you start seeing the same stuff over and over. It becomes pretty obvious what’s taking off. I distinctly remember these things being absolutely everywhere in 2016:
- Off-the-shoulder tops: Seriously, you couldn’t walk ten feet without seeing someone rocking one. Every color, every style. Shoulders were definitely having a moment.
- Chokers: Oh man, chokers came back hard. From the simple black velvet ones to more elaborate designs. It was like the 90s threw up, but in a trendy way, if that makes sense.
- Bomber jackets: These were huge. Silky ones, embroidered ones, plain ones. I saw a lot of people styling them up or down. Pretty versatile, actually.
- Slip dresses: Worn on their own, or layered over a plain t-shirt. That was a big look. Kinda nineties again, but a bit more refined.
- Athleisure: This was really starting to hit its stride. People wearing leggings as actual pants, fancy sneakers with everything. Comfort, but make it fashion.
Trying Some Stuff Out Myself
Of course, I didn’t just look. I had to try some of these trends to see what all the fuss was about. I remember getting a bomber jacket. It was a good basic one, ended up wearing it a lot. Super practical. I think I might have caved and bought an off-the-shoulder top too, just to see. Felt a bit odd at first, constantly worrying about it slipping, but hey, you gotta try these things, right?
I also noticed a ton of rose gold. Jewelry, phone cases, even accents on clothes. And people were big into customizing their denim with patches and pins. That was a fun one, making things feel a bit more unique.
What I Reckoned in the End
Looking back, it was quite a mix. Some trends had real staying power, others felt like they were gone in a flash. That’s the thing with fashion, isn’t it? Always changing. But it was a good exercise in just observing and figuring out what felt right for me, rather than just blindly following. You learn what you genuinely like and what’s just a bit of fun for a season. That was my main takeaway from that whole 2016 fashion deep dive. Always an interesting ride, seeing what sticks.
