2016 Party Theme: Outfits, Songs & Ideas (The Viral Throwback)
Dabbing, chokers, Vine quotes and the biggest hits of 2016 — the throwback that is taking over TikTok.
By Ryan Matthews · Updated Oct 16, 2026 · 9 min read
A 2016 party theme is the easiest throwback you will ever throw — and that is exactly why this 2016 frat theme is blowing up on TikTok right now. The uniform is stupidly recognisable (chokers, mom jeans, snapbacks, jerseys), the playlist writes itself, and nobody has to think too hard to commit. That makes it a perfect pick for a packed house or a last-minute 2016 theme party ideas search.
Below is the full playbook: why the 2016 party theme is trending, six outfit formulas for girls and guys, decor that photographs itself, the Blue Dab batch punch, four games built for the era, and a ten-song playlist of pure 2016. For more inspiration in the same lane, browse our frat party themes hub — 2016 sits right at home there. Hit the dab and let us go.
Budget
Under $30
Dress-up effort
Easy
Best for
Frat parties
Crowd size
20–150
Shop the theme
Velvet choker 3-pack
Retro basketball jersey tee
LED strip lights + filter prop kit
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What is a 2016 party theme?
The 2016 party theme is a throwback night built on peak mid-2010s culture: Vine compilations, the dab, Snapchat dog filters, Pokemon Go, chokers and mom jeans. It works because the references are universal — even guests born later know the aesthetic from TikTok edits — so the whole room commits instead of half showing up confused.
It also rides the nostalgia cycle perfectly. A decade out, 2016 feels vintage enough to be a costume but recent enough that everyone has the clothes in a drawer. If you want the full frat-theme playbook beyond 2016, our frat party outfits guide has more formulas in the same spirit.
What to wear to a 2016 party theme night
The 2016 dress code is peak recognisable: chokers, crop tops, mom jeans, jerseys, snapbacks. Girls go casual-sexy in the Vine-era uniform; guys go sporty in jerseys and backward caps. If your crew is into throwback nights in general, our Y2K party theme guide is the 2016 party’s older sibling.
Girls’ 2016 party outfits
Crop top + mom jeans + choker
Cheap version: borrow mom jeans, crop any old tee, velvet ribbon as a choker.
Band tee + mini skirt
Cheap version: oversized tee from a thrift bin over whatever mini skirt you own.
Denim jacket over slip dress
Cheap version: thrift-store slip dress, any denim jacket, clean white sneakers.
Guys’ 2016 party outfits
Jersey + joggers
Cheap version: any basketball tee over joggers, no real jersey required.
Button-down + chinos
Cheap version: button-down from the closet, chinos, roll the sleeves.
Graphic tee + distressed jeans + snapback
Cheap version: thrifted graphic tee, ripped jeans, backward snapback.
Pro tip: Pro tip: the choker does the heavy lifting. A $2 velvet ribbon around the neck instantly turns a normal outfit into a 2016 costume, so buy a pack and hand them out at the door.
Couples & group ideas
Dabbing duo
Matching snapbacks, joggers and one dab pose. Coordinate the hit for maximum group-chat material.
Snapchat filter couple
You and your person in dog-filter ears and drawn-on noses. Cheap, instantly readable, and every photo is gold.
Mannequin challenge squad
The whole squad freezes mid-party while one person films. Post it with a 2016 caption and let the likes roll in.
Decor ideas for a 2016 party theme
Snapchat dog-filter photo wall
Print a giant dog-ear filter frame on foam board and set up a ring light. Guests pose inside it and every photo looks straight out of 2016 Snapchat.
Dabbing cutouts
Cardboard cutouts of the dab mid-motion taped to the walls. People cannot walk past without hitting one — that is the whole point.
Tasteful meme wall
A corkboard of printed peak-2016 moments: Pokemon Go launch headlines, vine quote cards, flip phones. Keep it nostalgic and tasteful — no lazy shock memes.
LED strip lights
Blue and purple strips along the ceiling and behind the drink table. Cheap, dramatic, and every phone photo looks ten times better.
Pokemon Go corner
A thrifted camo jacket, a fake Pokeball bowl of candy, a sign that says Team Instinct. One corner, zero cost, endless photos.
Drinks & snacks
Big-batch and bright blue. The Blue Dab is a 20-cup punch that tastes like a slushie and looks like a 2016 energy-drink ad. Mix it an hour before doors so you are not stuck bartending all night.
Batch recipe: The Blue Dab (about 20 cups)
Snacks: gas-station classics — Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, pizza rolls, chips and dip, and a bowl of candy from the 2016 era (Sour Patch Kids, Warheads). Salty, cheap, one-handed.
Safety first: in the US you must be 21 or older to drink alcohol, so card at the door and always mix a zero-proof batch (see the swap below). Put out water, sort rides home in advance, and never let anyone drive after drinking.
Games & activities
Dab battle
Blast a 2016 hit and take turns hitting the dab on the drop. Crowd judges the winner. Skill floor: zero. Skill ceiling: zero.
Vine quote-off
Two players trade Vine quotes back and forth — first one who hesitates loses. Winner gets crowned Vine royalty of the house.
2016 trivia
Ten rapid-fire questions about 2016: who dropped Lemonade, what game had everyone walking into traffic, which dance broke the internet. Teams of four, loser buys the pizza.
Selfie scavenger hunt
A list of ten photo tasks — dab with a stranger, find someone in a snapback, recreate a Snapchat filter pose. First team to post all ten wins. Steal more ideas from our college party games list.
The 2016 party playlist
Shopping list & budget
Rough US prices. Most guests nail a 2016 look for under $25 with a thrift run and a dollar store.
| Item | Where | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet chokers (3-pack) | $6–9 | Amazon or beauty supply |
| Backward snapback | $8–12 | Thrift or discount store |
| Mom jeans | $10–15 | Thrift store |
| Basketball jersey tee | $12–18 | Thrift or online |
| LED strip lights (5m) | $10–14 | Amazon or hardware store |
| Blue Dab punch ingredients | $18–25 | Grocery store |
Shop the theme
Velvet choker 3-pack
Retro basketball jersey tee
LED strip lights + filter prop kit
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Hosting tips: keep it fun and safe
Four rules that keep a 2016 night legendary, not regrettable.