#5: Nostalgia Core
In 2026, it seemed like there was a core for everything: from cottage core to millennial core, it was endless.
But what is a “core”?
According to USA Today, it’s as a term used to describe “preexisting subcultures or niches. This can include anything from patterns to colors to clothing items.”
And thanks to Gen Z’s resurgence of 90s and Y2K fashion, we predict brands will be jumping on the nostalgia trend in 2026.
Whether it’s creating throwback content or using “vintage” promo to launch a new product — it all makes for effective, relatable marketing.
Expect to see plenty of influencers post nostalgia content, too.
Take fungkiigrrl who curates videos with intentionally low-quality graphics of beloved products from the 90s and early oughts.
Even Pinterest, with their annual Pinterest Predicts, has slated several nostalgic related aesthetics on their trends report like “Dolled Up”, “Primary Play” and “Rebel Floats”.
The time to go retro is now.
