
Key Takeaways
- Flip telephones, like the long-lasting Motorola Razr, had been a serious pattern within the early 2000s and have made a comeback due to the recognition of Y2K trend and TikTok micro-trends.
- Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Max have change into trend icons, with their smooth, white design and wi-fi performance making them a staple accent for gym-goers, commuters, and younger urbanites.
- Wired headphones are additionally making a comeback as a trend assertion, with Gen Z actress Jenna Ortega being named a “Wired It Woman” by Teen Vogue. Regardless of the rise of Bluetooth headphones, wired headphones have change into a logo of nonchalance and elegance.
Tech and fashion are powerhouse industries. And whereas any overlap of the 2 industries might sound blurry, know-how and trend are inextricably linked, not solely in relation to manufacturing, however of their presentation and cultural affect. From 2000s it-girl Paris Hilton because the face of Motorola’s 2024 Razr to 2016’s Met Gala theme, Manus x Machina: Style in an Age of Know-how, and even a faux baby covered in computer chips at Paris Style Week 2024, we discovered seven occasions tech and trend crossed wires and cultural boundaries collectively.
1 The flip cellphone is core Y2K aesthetic
And it is coming again
Arguably, the early 2000s marked the period when tech went from clunky to pocketable — ushered in by the long-lasting flip cellphone. With a easy clamshell design, a number of keys, and no digital camera, the flip-phone reigned lengthy earlier than the smartphone. And whereas smartphones could rule in performance, they don’t seem to be practically as enjoyable or trendy. Notably, the queen of clunky belts and clutch purses, Paris Hilton, was a serious a part of the Motorola Razr launch in 2004, and from there, flip telephones appeared to change into an iconic tween and teenage lady accent.
In 2020, the rise of TikTok made dances, Y2K trend developments, and content material creation a viral sensation. With the unfold of “micro-trends,” Y2K trend, like low-rise denims, vivid colours, metallic supplies, and baguette luggage, and sure, flip telephones had been all “in” once more. Massive names within the tech business adopted swimsuit. Samsung and Motorola launched the Flip and Rar+ sequence, respectively.
Whereas Samsung’s Flip, debuting in 2020, was probably in manufacturing nicely earlier than Y2K trend made its huge comeback, the next releases of the flip focused content material creators searching for performance that complemented their total Y2K aesthetic. Samsung even partnered with Euphoria star, Sydney Sweeney, to advertise the Flip 5.

Modern flip phones aren’t the dumb flip phone Gen Z is nostalgic for
Gen Z is not answering the smartphone business’s name to make retro tech sensible.
2 AirPods and the “cut-off” earbuds look
The stems weren’t for everybody
Getty Pictures
Apple has a model loyalty like no different, one which many trend manufacturers — from luxurious homes to malls — try for. This excessive loyalty is especially evident in relation to iPhones, but in addition, Apple’s in-ear buds. As soon as critiqued by techies and fashion-lovers alike for wanting like “cut off headphones“, Apple’s AirPods and their stems have now achieved icon standing and at the moment grace the ears of health club rats, commuters, travelers, and professionals alike.
Strolling round and residing in a giant metropolitan space like New York Metropolis, it is exhausting to not see everybody has AirPods hanging out of their ears.
By way of all three iterations, after which for the previous two Professional generations, the AirPods have solely been rising in reputation, probably as a consequence of their smooth, white look that does not conflict with any outfit. They’ve change into a streetwear staple.

I replaced my AirPods Max with these $9 Temu headphones, and here’s how it went
It won’t be a direct comparability, however Temu knock-offs held their very own in look and efficiency. They usually even beat AirPods in a single necessary space.
3 Over-ears are in every single place
Gen Z’s unofficial uniform
Renee Rapp through Instagra
Apple’s in-ear buds aren’t the one trend sensation proper now, however its over-ear AirPods Max have instantly change into a part of Gen Z’s unofficial “uniform.” In late 2023, a TikTok pattern even went viral displaying customers how they may “gown like they had been from New York’s Decrease East Aspect” to realize a cool aesthetic.
The AirPods Max themselves do have a really futuristic look with their chrome steel end and mesh headband and even paved the best way for all-over-ear headphones to be en vogue, particularly for younger people residing in cities.
4 Wired headphones say ‘I am unable to be bothered’
Jenna Ortega is our Wired It Woman
RB/BAUER-GRIFFIN (EDITED)
Earlier than Bluetooth, there have been wired headphones, and just like the flip cellphone, they’re making a comeback. Wired headphones themselves did not provide a contemporary take or added performance. They merely simply grew to become a “look.” Gen Z Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega was even deemed a “Wired It Girl” by Teen Vogue alongside different celebrities like Bella Hadid, a lot of whom seemingly forecasted the wired headphone pattern all the best way again in 2019.

I went back to wired headphones in 2024, and here’s how it went
Whereas wired headphones have been largely changed by Bluetooth over or in-ears, I nonetheless assume they’re the unsung heroes of music and audio.
Whereas in no way probably the most sensible resolution, the return of wired headphones is maybe an much more pronounced method of signaling to onlookers that you would be able to’t be bothered, particularly now that Bluetooth headphones have change into much more delicate.
5 Smartwatches are greater than timepieces
Well being-tracking mini computer systems
Hermes/ Apple
Apple, Fitbit, Google, and Garmin are only a few of the large names which have revolutionized what was an adjunct and made it right into a health-tracking mini laptop we put on on our wrists. Nevertheless sensible, these watches and trackers had been firstly an aesthetic, and will I even say, timeless trend staple. Whereas there could also be some argument over whether or not smartwatches look as sensible as they carry out, huge identify designers and attire manufacturers like Hermes, Nike, and Fossil have all partnered with tech manufacturers to make aesthetic timepieces.

Best Apple Watch bands: Top straps for every model and activity
Customizing your Apple Watch goes past the software program. Full your wrist wearable with snug, fashionable, and budget-friendly bands.
Moreover, jewellery manufacturers like Michele, Kate Spade, and Gorjana have all made bracelet-like bands to pair with sensible units. There are numerous third-party manufacturers and boutiques on Amazon and Etsy that make distinctive bands to additional model wrist health trackers.
6 Sensible glasses get a lift from huge manufacturers
Ray-Ban model
Particularly for my era, seeing sensible glasses on the cabinets makes us really feel like Cookie from Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified College Survival Information succeeded in creating the right prototype (if , ). Whereas sensible glasses might not be fully as much as par with how sizzling smartwatches had been at their debut, huge identify manufacturers like Ray Ban and Carrera are partnering with Meta and Amazon, respectively, to create sensible glasses that seem like an adjunct with added smarts reasonably than a clunky eyesore.
After we examined Meta’s Ray-Ban sensible glasses, we thought they regarded nice, and with the brand new Wayfair body model, regarded fashionable even other than its audio and visible capabilities.
7 Robotic trend
Schiaperelli through Instagram
In a world stuffed with ChatGPT and the discharge of the probably transformative Apple Vision Pro VR headset, it comes as no shock that helmets, metallic supplies, physique armor, and even bodily robots have entered the style chat (and pink carpet).
Gigi and Zayn on the 2016 Met Gala
On the tech-themed 2016 Met Gala, for instance, former it-couple mannequin Gigi Hadid and ex-One Course member Zayn Malik regarded like a surprising robotic couple. Malik, whereas in any other case in a easy Versace swimsuit, embellished the clean-cut look with silver robotic arms across the sleeves.
Equally, Hadid’s silver and sheer Tommy Hilfiger gown by itself appeared like a extra delicate nod to the theme, however paired with the lengthy metallic rings on her fingers, the couple’s palms positively gave homage to a terminator-like period. Maybe it was a social commentary on how, with the age of smartphones, our palms are turning into an extension of know-how — and our know-how, even an extension of us.
Schiaparelli’s bejeweled robotic child
I am positive you could have recycled outdated know-how like an iPod, MP3 player, and even vinyl, however Schiaparelli’s inventive director, Daniel Roseberry, transformed pre-2007 trend in an ultra-unique method throughout this 12 months’s Paris Style Week. Showstopping the carpet, a mannequin in all white garments with solely a pop of gorgeous emerald earrings carried a pretend child lined in outdated motherboards, flip telephones, CDs, wires, and calculators in a maternal method.
As to what impressed this nostalgia-studded and stunning show, Roseberry claims it is a inventive response to a viral pattern. “Lots of people on TikTok have been taking AI and turning my collections into digital collections and seeing who wore it finest, so I used to be considering, the one card I’ve to play now could be actually my reminiscences,” Roseberry stated in an interview with WWD.
Trending Merchandise