The collective nostalgia for 2016 shows no signs of slowing down, and now a major celebrity throwback has sent a specific fashion trend soaring back into the spotlight. Television presenter Maya Jama has single-handedly reignited the bandage dress craze from that era, leading to a swift sell-out of the contemporary version.
The Throwback That Started It All
Recently, the Love Island host re-shared a memorable image from the 2016 MOBO Awards. In the picture, she wore a striking olive green bandage midi dress from the brand House of CB, captioning it with high praise: “That House of CB dress was the oneeee”. This simple act of nostalgia coincided perfectly with the brand's decision to re-release its signature bandage styles last summer, creating a perfect storm of demand.
The 2026 Update: A Sell-Out Success
The modern iteration, known as The Sculpt Halter-Neck Bandage Stretch-Woven Midi Dress, offers a refined take on Maya's original. While her exact style is long gone, this update features a more elegant single halter neckline instead of double straps. Priced at £169, the dress quickly captured the attention of fashion fans eager to emulate the look. The olive green shade, which most closely matches Maya's 2016 outfit, has now almost completely sold out across retailers, a clear testament to the 'Maya Effect'.
Fortunately, the style remains available in six other colours for those who missed out on the iconic green. Shoppers can choose from neutral options like chocolate brown and ivory or make a bolder statement in tangerine or lime green. The design boasts the classic ultra-stretchy bandage panels that sculpt and smooth, combined with a supportive halter neck and a practical back slit for ease of movement.
Affordable Alternatives to the Bandage Trend
For those seeking the 2016 bandage dress aesthetic on a tighter budget, several high-street alternatives have emerged. At Ego, the Scoop Neck Mini Dress In Olive Green Bandage offers a very similar look for just £7 (reduced from £48). This version features a shorter mini hemline and straight straps rather than a halter neck.
Meanwhile, ASOS is offering the Bandage Checkerboard Halterneck Mini Dress in Olive for a mere £22.50, down from £75. This design swaps horizontal panels for a woven, diamond-print effect that provides stretch in all directions for a comfortable yet chic fit.
The resurgence, sparked by a single social media post, proves that trends are truly cyclical. As 2026 shapes up to echo the styles of a decade prior, the bandage dress is firmly back on the fashion map, thanks to a stylish nudge from one of the UK's most influential presenters.
