The wired headphones revival – why celebs are plugging back in

Last month, pop starlet Addison Rae released her latest saccharine single, “Headphones On”. The noughties-inspired track was an ode to Apple’s wired accessory, symbolising how she blocks out life’s troubles through her favorite escape: music. Rae’s latest musical and aesthetic inspiration is unmistakably referential to the early to mid-2010s, but she is far from the only celebrity embracing the post-recession era through style.

From Bella Hadid and Harry Styles to Charli XCX and Ariana Grande, Paul Mescal, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kaia Gerber, it seems celebrities aren't ready to part ways with their old wires for Bluetooth pods; instead, they’re plugged in while being effortlessly stylish in every paparazzi snapshot. 

In fact, we’ve seen this shift over the last few years, where opting for wearing wires has become a statement accessory among Gen Z and Millennials. But this isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it is also about practicality. Unlike AirPods, wires are more difficult to lose, don’t need any downtime to recharge, and for some, offer a rich sound quality experience that is full of sonic detail. Not to mention, wires are seemingly compact (though prone to tangle) and are less costly than their more modern counterparts. 

The celebrity impact and endorsement of headphone wires have revived the accessory as a must-have everyday staple in the pop culture zeitgeist. With Paul Mescal telling GQ, “I cannot do wireless headphones…I feel like they just fall out.” 

Late last year, Dua Lipa shared with Vogue in a #InTheBag segment that she carries three sets of wires on her at all times since she is always on the go, traveling for work. “It’s just one less thing to charge,” shares the pop star. The resurgence has grown to a degree that people are associating themselves as either team wired or team wireless, as the preference has become a hot topic of debate, over which headphone offers a better sound experience for the listener.

It is no surprise that wires are seeing an ongoing resurgence, particularly when it comes to street style, because other Y2K garments like low-rise jeans, crop tops, and peek-a-boo thongs have been seeing a fashion renaissance ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. The craze for wires is in good company as flip phones and Game Boys are seeing their own respective consumer comebacks, with people becoming more sentimental about the technology they used through adolescence. For many, wearing wires is a music experience of escapism, back into a simpler time.

Content creator Shelby Hull has attracted a cult-following online with her @wireditgirls Instagram account. As well as satisfying her cultural craving, she’s using her platform to showcase how using wires is a lifestyle and attitude. “The staying power of the wires has something to do with this pushback against minimalism that’s happening with Gen Z. The millennial gray, the minimal fashion, and minimal tech of the past ten years is boring,” says Hull. The wires trending as an accessory are a strong indicator that “people are tired of [new tech] and want maximalism, which coincides perfectly with the revitalization of Y2K fashion,” she shares with Back Market.

If you are an “it-girl” in 2025, going for a walk without being wired in is a non-negotiable. “A lot of trends, it-girl trends in particular, are out of reach and aspirational at best. The wires, however, are an extremely accessible, low-lift trend for anyone to feel included in, that's why I ride for it so hard. Even my mom is a wired it girl,” continues Hull. 

Wired headphones' easy accessibility and affordability make the tech experience inclusive to all generations for use while still being perceived as trendy. Hull also notes how people are now going to Coachella and using their first-generation iPhones to take photos while Indie Sleaze era music is having a moment again. “I think the biggest influence, though, is this desire to be cool and unbothered. The internet is saturated with try-hard trends and influencers, the real prize is to be effortlessly cool,” Hull continues.

Meanwhile, brands are also tapping into the craze. Chanel released the Première Sound Watch last year, which is a watch, necklace, and wired headphone all in one, with none other than “it-girl” Lily-Rose Depp spearheading the campaign. 

Independent designers Racer Worldwide have leveraged the wired headphone trend and made it the centerpiece of their latest collection. The Estonian-founded brand was started by a group of 16-year-old friends in 2017. While the sleek 100 % stainless steel RacerPods Necklace is purely aesthetic, without any tech, it can be styled around the neck or in the ears for a Y2K twist.

“RacerPods strip an everyday item of utility and elevate it into the world of contemporary fashion. With no technological function, RacerPods exist purely as an accessory, crafted in real size,” shares Racer Worldwide’s marketing and PR manager, Ekaterina Šehovtsova. 

Regardless of whether they are being worn for function or fashion, the lifestyle choice of using wires is a trend that’s here to stay. As Rae sings, “Come and put your headphones on.”