Right Now, the Coolest It-Girl Accessory Is a Pair of Wired Earphones
Overview
Wireless earbuds have dominated tech and style for years, but a new accessory trend is pulling attention in the opposite direction. Corded, wired earphones—the kind many of us tossed in a drawer once AirPods took over—are showing up as a deliberate style statement among fashion-forward celebrities. Just ask Hailey Bieber or Zoë Kravitz, both of whom have been spotted incorporating wired earphones into their off-duty looks, turning a once-purely-functional item into a visible accessory.
Why Wired Earphones Are Back
The resurgence taps into the broader Y2K and early-2000s nostalgia wave that has already brought back low-rise jeans, chunky sunglasses, and flip phones as style props. Wired earphones fit naturally into that aesthetic: the cord itself becomes a visual element, draping across an outfit the way a necklace or scarf might. Unlike wireless buds, which disappear into the ear, wired styles are meant to be seen, dangling against a jacket or looping down to a phone tucked in a pocket.
Function Meets Fashion
Part of the appeal isn't purely aesthetic. Wired earphones don't require charging, don't risk falling out and getting lost, and for some listeners offer a more consistent audio connection than Bluetooth. For celebrities photographed on the go—running errands, heading to the airport, or leaving the gym—that reliability makes them a practical prop as well as a styling choice, reinforcing the effortless, off-duty look paparazzi shots are known for.
How the Look Is Being Styled
The trend leans into simplicity: oversized hoodies, baggy denim, and minimal makeup paired with a visible cord is the common formula. It reads as an anti-polish, lived-in aesthetic—the opposite of a red-carpet moment—which is part of why it resonates. The accessory signals a kind of casual authenticity that feels distinct from the more curated, wireless-earbud-and-athleisure uniform that's dominated street style for the past several years.
FAQ
Is this just Hailey Bieber and Zoë Kravitz, or is the trend spreading? The two have been the most visible faces of the look, but as with most celebrity-driven style trends, wider adoption tends to follow once a look is repeatedly photographed and picked up by fashion press.
Do wired earphones actually sound better than wireless ones? Audio quality depends on the specific hardware, but a wired connection avoids Bluetooth compression and pairing issues, which is one practical reason some listeners prefer them regardless of the style trend.
Source
Originally published at www.harpersbazaar.com.