'Don't wear skinny jeans': What Aussie stars and influencers wish they could tell their 2016 selves

The trend of looking back on 2016 is still going strong – including at the 2026 Australian Open.

It's been dubbed the internet's golden era, with Tumblr, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter culture at its peak and social media influencing everything from fashion to pop culture.

Those who experienced it firsthand have been reflecting on that time with nostalgia and, for many, a longing to go back to when life felt simpler.

Who better to ask about that time than some of Australia's most recognisable influencers and stars with huge social followings?

On the ground at the Australian Open, nine.com.au reporter April Glover asked some of the high-profile guests what advice they'd give their 2016 self if they could go back.

Style-ish podcast host and influencer Maddison Sullivan-Thorpe, who boasts 30.9k Instagram followers, had some simple advice to her younger self.

"Girl, put down the shimmer eyeshadow, it's not it."

Influencer and writer Gemma Diamond, who has 55.6k Instagram followers, had similar advice for her younger self.

"I went and scrolled back through my Instagram... I'd say, 'Just burn your candles, you don't have to keep using them as a photo prop,'" she said.

Meanwhile, Lincoln Lewis, actor and presenter Nine's Getaway, said his advice would be to "trust the process."

"A lot of the time we have a goal in mind, or whether you're going through a good time or a bad time," he said.

"You just want the bad times to end or you want your goal to be achieved ASAP, but you've gotta trust the process.

"Know that every step that you take in order to achieve your end goal is going to make you the person worthy of attaining it, or it makes you stronger to get past the battle that you've been going through."

Fashion influencer Cat Spanti, who has 75.8k Instagram followers, said she would tell her younger self to be more authentic online.

"Stop being so curated," she said.

"I know that that was the thing back then, like Tumblr, but just lean into the messiness and imperfections of life."

Lawyer-turned-influencer and author Sarah Davidson said she "wouldn't change a thing" about who she was in 2016.

"If I went back and spoke to that gorgeous, young, naive little girl back then, I think the only thing that I would say is, 'Keep doing what you're doing'," she said.

"The mistakes taught me something, the wins made me who I am, and I feel like life is a wonderful, exciting journey, so just lean into who you are."

Men's fashion model and influencer Morgan Waterhouse gave his younger self some much-needed fashion advice.

"If I was to give myself advice from 10 years ago, I would probably say don't wear skinny jeans," he said.

"I've got very skinny legs, so I'd say don't do it. I've been looking at some old photos... they're not great."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.