Ahead of the 2026 Grammys, L'OFFICIEL looks back at the iconic carpet 10 years earlier...2016.&nbsp;

L'HISTOIRE explores fashion history moments you should know, from what actors wore on a red carpet to celebrities who made cameos on the runway. Some are unsung, and some are better known. Each is part of the fabric of today&rsquo;s fashion world, be it barrier breakers or culture makers.
January has officially turned into a time machine. As the internet collectively looks back ten years&mdash;when Kylie Lip Kits sold out in seconds, ombr&eacute; hair ruled Instagram, and Tumblr aesthetics bled into real life&mdash;fashion nostalgia is having a full-blown moment. And with the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/who-is-performing-at-the-2026-grammys-sabrina-carpenter-olivia-dean-sombr-addison-rae" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 Grammys</a> just around the corner, there&rsquo;s no better red carpet to revisit than the 2016 Grammy Awards, a night that felt unapologetically bold and playful.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/taylor-swift-eras-tour-docuseries-end-of-an-era-disney-plus-release-date" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift</a> kicked things off in what would become one of the decade&rsquo;s most instantly recognizable looks: a color-blocked two-piece featuring a bold orange bandeau and a high-waisted fuchsia skirt. It was risky, loud, and perfectly of-the-moment.&nbsp;
Then there was Kacey Musgraves, who leaned all the way into fashion fantasy with a multicolor cheetah-print ball gown that felt whimsical, strange, and refreshing. At a time when playing it safe was creeping in, Musgraves&rsquo; look embodied the era's experimental spirit, when personal style trumped trend forecasting.
While volume and color dominated one end of the carpet, sleek, body-skimming gowns ruled the other. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/ariana-grande-jonathan-bailey-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-play-revival-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ariana Grande</a> arrived in a bold red, form-fitting gown that perfectly matched her high-ponytail era. Selena Gomez, meanwhile, shimmered in sequins, channeling old-Hollywood glamour with a modern edge.&nbsp;
And then there was the star power. The 2016 carpet was stacked with names that defined the decade, with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/justin-bieber-new-album-hailey-bieber-lyrics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justin Bieber</a> reigning as the night&rsquo;s undeniable main character. Ten years later, his return to the Grammys only adds to the full-circle feeling, proof that while trends may change, cultural icons stay.&nbsp;
As we head into the 2026 ceremony, one thing is clear: nostalgia isn&rsquo;t just influencing our feeds&mdash;it&rsquo;s reshaping how we remember fashion&rsquo;s most iconic moments.

Taylor Swift at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Ariana Grande at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Selena Gomez at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Lady Gaga at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Justin Bieber at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Zendaya at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Florence Welch at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Ellie Goulding at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Janelle Monae at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Kacey Musgraves at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

Ciara at the 2016 Grammys. Getty Images.

L'HISTOIRE: This Is What the Grammys Red Carpet Looked Like in 2016

The Art Newspaper US Edition & L’Officiel USA subscription

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Kelly Rowland Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Zoey Deutch Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA December/January 2026  - Michelle Yeoh Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA November 2025 - Florence Welch Cover 

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2025 - Jeremy Strong

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES USA October 2025 - Colman Domingo Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA September 2025 - Jessica Chastain Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA July/August  2025 - Jackson Wang Cover

L'HISTOIRE: This Is What the Grammys Red Carpet Looked Like in 2016

Tags

Recommended posts for you

Film & TV

When Does 'Bridgerton' Season 4 Come Out?

Fashion

Pieter Mulier Is Officially Leaving Alaïa

Fashion

The Top 10 Most Memorable Sheer Looks in Grammy History

Pop culture

Chris Appleton Talks Coming Out and The Transformative Power of Hair

Fashion

Dior Unveils The 'Grammar of Forms' Exhibit At The Musée Rodin

Fashion

L'HISTOIRE: This Is What the Grammys Red Carpet Looked Like in 2016

Fashion

Spring’s Hottest Bag Is the Grab-and-Go Pouch

Fashion

Julia Mervis Talks Valentine’s Day Dressing and Her New Capsule With Campbell & Kramer