From Necessity to Accessory: Wired Earbuds

In 2001, Apple released its first pair of Earbuds, alongside its first-generation iPod.

Earbuds, like all technology, have advanced a lot since then. However, Earbuds have not only transformed in the technology world, but they have also become an iconic fashion statement for many. Earbuds are used as accessories now. Their purpose has transcended the technological tool for listening to music, and over time, they have transformed into parts of everyday expression. Earbuds have officially developed a deeper meaning in the fashion world.

A Google Trends search for “wired headphones” shows a large spike in popularity starting at the beginning of 2026. Similarly, searches for “wired Apple headphones” have increased by 160%. Statistics from Circana say that at the end of 2025, wired Earbud sales increased 3%, gaining about $15M in revenue. Since then, the sales have continued to grow with a 20% increase over the first six weeks of 2026.

Why have these devices turned into a fashion accessory?

The currently popular “nostalgic fashion” trends have had a massive part in this uproar. With the rise of Y2K fashion, wired Earbuds are now seen as “retro” and an “It-Girl” statement piece. On Instagram, the account “WIREDITGIRLS” only posts pictures and videos of celebrities and other internet personnel wearing wired headphones.

The bio writes, “hot girls with wired headphones—the practical trendsetters.”

On the account, we see pictures of celebrities such as Jacob Elordi, Hailey Bieber, Addison Rae, Ariana Grande, and Charli XCX wearing the iconically charming Earbuds. On TikTok, it’s also very common to see creators using the microphone attached to these Earbuds to record their audio.

Quenlin Blackwell, internet personality and a model for Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2025, sat down with Vogue to film an “In the Bag” video for YouTube. Two minutes into Blackwell’s video, she pulls out the Apple wired Earbuds.

In the video, she comments on the headphones, saying “…they just feel chic to me… These are just a good accessory for an outfit, even if I don’t plug them into anything.” She then places them in her ears and models her Earbuds excitedly.

“It’s a look!” She expresses. “Where are the cameras? Take a picture.”

Celebrities donning this newfound accessory have helped promote the popularity of this trend. However, with other retro devices also becoming popular—like vinyl records and record players—society might be craving a more nostalgic and simpler time. Switching back to wired Earbuds over Bluetooth also has many functional benefits. Wired Earbuds are less expensive by a large margin:

They don’t require recharging
They are longer-lasting due to their lack of lithium-ion batteries
They are subjectively harder to lose.

Sound quality is also a large priority when it comes to the choice of headphones. Many online reviews have stated that they found better quality in their wired earbuds than in wireless headphones, especially in the case of a spotty Bluetooth connection.

Despite the conveniences that come with wired Earbuds, their popularity rose around the same time as the “performative male” trend on TikTok. This trend has been tied to sitting in public, matcha in hand, and reading feminist literature solely “for the look.” Wired Earbuds have also been linked to this trend, causing many to label wearing wired Earbuds as “performative” as well. Another interpretation is that this accessory became popular because of its “don't talk to me” energy.

Wired Earbuds are a lot more obvious than their non-wired counterparts, and they signify that you are listening to music and do not want to be disturbed.

Will you be partaking in this wired Earbud trend? Leave a comment below!