Why wired headphones are the coolest accessory according to a fashion writer

Style aficionados are backlashing against bluetooth and bringing wired headphones back on the scene with It-girl ease

Emily Ratajkowski is seen wearing a loose long-sleeve dark brown top, matching dark brown relaxed-fit pants, silver mary jane style shoes, carrying a black shoulder bag, white wired earphones, and holding a phone with a yellow case during New York Fashion Week © Getty Images
Maria Sarabi
Maria SarabiFashion & Lifestyle Writer
April 1, 2026
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I'm not entirely sure what makes those razor-thin white wires trailing down my leather jacket so appealing. Maybe it's the quiet hint of rebellion – the refusal to embrace glossy, seamless advancements in favour of something more analog. Or perhaps it's simply the relief of avoiding that dreaded low-toned chime, the subtle "doo-doo" that signals my AirPods are about to die mid commute.

Whatever the reason, it's strange to think that such a simple piece of technology has become a sartorial statement. After all, they've been around for decades. And yet, their renaissance on the fashion frontlines feels like it's only just beginning.

Cast your mind back to 2007, when the first-generation iPhone arrived. Tucked neatly inside the box was a pair of signature white wired headphones. Now, that small inclusion feels almost like a luxury. Today, Apple offers no such treat with the handset anymore. Then came the Bluetooth takeover, and with it, AirPods. I'll admit I gave in, drawn by sheer convenience – no more spending ten minutes at the gym untangling a stubborn knot of wires before I could even press play.

Bella Hadid white outfit with wired headphoned© GC Images
Bella Hadid has long championed wired headphones

But there's something about their messiness that oozes a certain kind of chic. They're the Type Bs of the tech world – carefree, a little undone – swinging from the necks of city dwellers, looped through belt buckles, even draped over handbags. Yes, they're meant to serve our music needs, but they've become part of fashion lore in the process.

Influencers like Ruby Lyn have woven them seamlessly into their sartorial agenda, with wires dangling down vintage jeans in mirror selfies – placements that feel deliberately styled rather than casually thrown on. A-listers have caught on too. Bella Hadid, a longtime reject of Bluetooth iterations, has been spotted in Paris wearing a pair, perfectly complementing her off-duty model aesthetic.

A model walks the runway at the Fashion East show during London Fashion Week September 2025© Getty Images
Fashion East spring/summer 2026 show

Wired headphones have even peppered the runway. Fashion East showcased wired earbuds adorned with charms on the catwalk, while Racer Worldwide reimagined the tech as jewellery, draping them like necklaces, blurring the line between function and fashion.

Ruby Lyn mirror selfie jeans and stripe cardigan© @rubylyn_
Ruby Lyn has cemented the tech accessory into her style

There's even an entire Instagram page, @wireditgirls, that romanticises the aesthetic through Pinterest-worthy paparazzi shots.

When it comes to styling this modest piece, treat it like bijouterie, but with a bit more nonchalance. Loop them through your belt loops, rock the one-ear-in, one-ear-out look, or tie them around your handbag and let them spill casually from your pocket for a cool-girl finish.

How to style wired headphones

Mirja Klein is seen wearing a navy fine knit turtleneck sweater with long sleeves and a fitted silhouette from COS; dark wash baggy jeans with a relaxed oversized barrel fit and rolled-up legs from Dark Park; a slim black leather belt with silver buckle; black polished leather loafers with a sleek rounded toe and slim profile from COS, leather bag with gold hardware, chain link details and a belted detail in the front closure from Miu Miu; oversized shield sunglasses with a thick transparent acetate frame and brown tinted lenses from Bottega Veneta; oversized brown shield sunglasses with dark tinted lenses and a thick glossy frame from MM6 Maison Margiela; holding an iPhone smartphone and wearing white wired earphones; her blonde hair is worn long and wavy with a center part © Getty Images

In-hand

Let the headphones hang effortlessly from your phone in your hand while on your commute.

A guest wears a black velvet mini dress with puff sleeves layered over a sheer black lace long-sleeve top and lace hem, sheer black polka-dot tights, carries a small brown leather handbag and wears white pointed-toe embellished heels outside Chloe show © Getty Images

One-ear-in

Channel a cool-girl vibe by slipping one headphone into your ear and letting the other hang loose.

Bella Hadid wears brown gilet with wired headphones© Getty Images

Slick back

Show everyone you're embracing the sans-Bluetooth look by slicking your hair back.

Sophia Geiss wears an oversized white structured shirt from Black Palms, wide-leg blue-grey Bermuda shorts from Drykorn, a large Birkin, black flip-flops from Havaianas, while holding a coffee cup and an Apple iPhone paired with Apple Wired EarPods.© Getty Images

Handbag accessory

Knot your headphones around your biggest handbag for an on-the-go look that feels intentionally messy.

Betsy Gaghan is seen wearing a grey collared shirt, a black crewneck sweater, blue relaxed-fit denim jeans, black pointed-toe leather flats, and white wired earphones © Getty Images

Pocket-core

Tuck your phone into your pocket for a classic wired headphone look.

Angelina Kendall is seen wearing a dark brown leather bomber jacket, a dark brown turtleneck sweater, a brown leather belt, blue straight-leg denim jeans, and dark brown leather boots, while carrying a black leather backpack and a blue phone case with white wired headphones© Getty Images

With jeans

Exude model-off-duty by styling a pair of slouchy jeans with your wired headphones.

A model wears blond hair in a ponytail, black sunglasses, wired earphone, a black faux fur coat, black denim wide leg jeans, a black leather bag, black leather boots© Getty Images

All-black

Let the white wire pop by styling it with a full monochromatic look.

Charlotte Boggia is seen wearing a high ponytail hairstyle, a black leather biker jacket, a black crop top, a dark plaid button-up shirt underneath the jacket, black jeans, black ballet flats, and carrying a tan oversized shoulder bag while holding a smartphone with white earphones © Getty Images

With leather

Team your earphones with a sleek leather jacket for a grungier look.

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