If it feels like the early 2010s never really ended, you’re not imagining things. From indie sleaze fashion to hyper-pop beats, the era’s influence is creeping back into music, style, and internet culture. Social media feeds are flooded with Tumblr-era aesthetics, pop stars like Charli XCX and Lana Del Rey are experiencing a renewed appreciation, and skinny jeans are reappearing in fashion trends. But why is the culture of the 2010s making a comeback now?
Every generation romanticizes the past, but Gen Z’s relationship with the 2010s feels particularly personal. Many of today’s teenagers and young adults either grew up in the decade or just missed it, leading to a sense of nostalgia for a time when Instagram was still casual.
One of the biggest indicators of the 2010s resurgence is in music. Charli XCX, once an underground pop act, is now fully mainstream, with her hyper-pop influence shaping newer artists. Lorde’s Pure Heroine and Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die have found new fans, and the atmospheric sound of the decade’s alternate pop music is being embraced by Gen-z artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish.
Streaming platforms have also played a role, pushing old songs back into the charts. Arctic Monkeys’ “505” and Sufjan Stevens’ “Mystery of Love” have gone viral on TikTok, proving that the indie influences of this aesthetic is alive and well. Even rap and R&B from the time, such as Drake’s Take Care or Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, continue to influence the music of today.
You can’t talk about the early 2010’s without talking about the massive influence of Tumblr. The blogging platform defined an entire aesthetic: thick eyeliner, American Apparel skirts, stills from films featuring beautiful women crying, and cryptic captions. And now, it’s coming back.
While Tumblr itself may not have regained its former popularity, its influence is everywhere. The “indie sleaze” movement—marked by grunge-influenced fashion, flash photography, and a direct rejection of polished Instagram perfection—is one example. People are once again embracing the carefree energy of the early social media days, ditching curated posts for something rawer.
The 2010s were a beautifully free time for fashion, filled with high-waisted shorts, combat boots, and statement necklaces;but certain trends are making a return. Designers are reintroducing bold neon colors, leather jackets, and looser skirt silhouettes skirts, while American Apparel-inspired patterns and basics are becoming staples again. Even the much-maligned skinny jeans are creeping back into wardrobes, despite Gen Z’s previous devotion to a baggier fit.
“People are bringing back 2010s fashion, such as low-rise jeans, but they’re mixing it with newer trends,” says senior Skylar Fredieu.
Cultural comebacks tend to happen in cycles, often hitting 20 years later (hence the Y2K revival). But the 2010s resurgence is happening barely a decade after the fact. Some of that might be due to the pandemic, which made people nostalgic for a pre-algorithm, pre-TikTok internet. Others point to the fact that, in a world of overwhelming content, there’s comfort in revisiting an era that felt more experimental and carefree.
Whether it’s music, fashion, or internet aesthetics, the early 2010s are back—but this time, with a new generation ready to make it their own.
