OLD-STYLE wired headphones, once considered outdated, are making a surprising return as a fashion statement and practical choice for many users. Celebrities and influencers have helped revive interest in the simple cable, which now conveys style, status, and a break from constant digital connectivity.
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The trend is evident among stars ranging from NBA player Stephen Curry to fashion icons Bella Hadid and Lily-Rose Depp. Daniel Rodgers, fashion editor at British Vogue, notes that visible wires send a relaxed, nonchalant message: “It shows ‘I’m very relaxed. I don’t care too much.’”
Wired headphones are back in style. Can you guess if @EleniGiokos is team cord or cordless? pic.twitter.com/BuBuZW2F93
— Connect the World (@CNNConnect) January 30, 2026
Shelby Hull, who tracks the movement on her Instagram account “Wired It Girls,” adds that the style communicates indifference to the latest tech. “She’s obviously wealthy; she can afford AirPods, but she always stuck to the wire,” Hull said of Hadid’s choice.
Practicality and cost are also driving the resurgence. Users are frustrated with the maintenance of wireless devices, including charging, pairing, and frequent misplacement. Photographer Hannah La Follette Ryan points out, “Who wants another glitchy, expensive gadget to charge?”
The revival taps into a broader nostalgia for analog lifestyles, with retro tech such as film cameras and DVDs also gaining popularity. Wired headphones are affordable too—while Apple’s wireless Max headphones cost nearly $670, standard wired EarPods retail for around $25.
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Even the familiar “pocket tangle” is being embraced. Ryan suggests viewing knotted cables as a “more user-friendly Rubik’s Cube” and an opportunity to slow down in a fast-paced, always-connected world.
The renewed interest demonstrates that style, simplicity, and functionality can converge, giving old-school wired headphones a modern, fashionable edge.