Cord Appeal
As someone perpetually online, I’m no stranger to the gravitational pull of micro trends. The shoelace belt. The Trader Joe's Tote. All it takes is seeing something twice on my Tik Tok feed before I am convinced it belongs in my wardrobe. But lately, a familiar accessory has quietly reemerged that has me hesitant... wired headphones. What was once tangled up at the bottom of an old drawer has now become an unlikely fashion statement, while the most updated headphones are suddenly being sidelined. So what is this really about? Are we witnessing another fleeting microtrend, or is pop culture genuinely resurrecting back to 2016?
Where We Started
Headphones have never been just about sound; they’ve always functioned as cultural signals. In the early iPod era, the unmistakable white cord signified more than music, it marked the start of Apple as a cultural influence. Minimal, sleek, and distinct, wearing those signature earbuds embodied the modernity of the era. Despite all its symbolism though, practicality was its flaw. Then came Beats Electronics which were bold, oversized, and easier to manage. Popularized by athletes and musicians, Beats reframed headphones as a luxury product, one that can improve listening quality and mobility. Wireless listening soon then became the norm. With the release of Apple AirPods, Bluetooth connectivity and seamless design reshaped how people moved through the world. Then, the launch of AirPods Max pushed headphones fully into accessory territory. Spotted on celebrities in airports and off-duty apparel, they became less about sound quality and more about silhouette.
Somewhere along the way, wired headphones slipped quietly out of view; too messy and too easy to tangle. Until now.
The Performance
The return of the wired headphone doesn’t feel accidental. It feels performative. Scroll through paparazzi photos from late 2025 onward and it becomes clear. Actors, models, and musicians all walking streets with cords visibly draped across their designer sweaters. Just a year ago, these same figures were rarely seen without their AirPod Max's. Jacob Elordi is a prime example of this. Recently photographed casually strolling through the airport with wired headphones that were not plugged into anything. The cord I guess then becomes a prop. A styling device. And it’s not confined to celebrities. At the American University of Paris, the wired headphone has not so subtly reentered rotation and I had to ask: is this genuine preference or just performance?
Ella Coopela, a master’s student at the American University of Paris, stands firmly by wired headphones wearing them as if they never went out of style.
“I personally think the sound quality is better than my AirPods,” she says. “I also hate having to charge them. Wired headphones are just a quick and easy solution.” As for the fashion statement? She’s quick to clarify: “I don’t wear them as a style accessory, though... I will say that.”
For Janelle Maharaj, another AUP student, the appeal is both practical and aesthetic. “Music quality is a big reason,” she explains. “I have two different pairs — Skullcandy and Marshall wired headphones. They’re very stylish, and they’re cheaper.” Unlike Ella, Janelle doesn’t shy away from the visual component. For her, the wire isn’t just functional, rather it complements the look.
If You Can’t Fight It, Join It
Whether wired headphones are a fleeting revivals or the start of a longer nostalgia cycle almost doesn’t matter. Fashion thrives on reinterpretation. The difference between a micro trend and a personal signature is intention. If we’re going back, we shouldn’t go back halfway. So instead of asking whether we should retire our AirPods, maybe the better question is: how do we wear it well? Because if 2016 is resurfacing, it deserves an upgrade. Here are a couple ways to bring wired headphones into 2026.
