Wear With Style
How wearables are shifting their target from tech nerds to trendy moms
When in 2016, Iris Apfel teamed up with Wisewear, a then tech accessories company, to design a collection of jewelry that also tracked health data and physical activity, you knew wearables were no longer just about basic, unattractive devices made only for enthusiasts.
Wisewear didn’t make it, but the wearables space is burgeoning. As mainstream consumers are still figuring out the best way wearables fit into their lives, a new generation of tech wearables is looking to differentiate itself by bridging the gap between lifestyle and technology. In addition to fitness wristbands, wearables are now packaged as bracelets, necklaces, rings, VR headsets, running shoes, and water bottles. Brands like Bellabeat, Oura and Motiv are focusing more on a holistic approach to health and wellness and less on being performance-oriented. In addition to the usual sleep tracking, heart rate, and pedometer functions, their features include guided meditation, menstrual-cycle monitoring, and integration with Amazon Alexa.
Worldwide, wearable device sales are expected to grow 26% in 2019, reaching $42 billion globally. Hearables, or ear-worn devices, are expected to see strong growth, accounting for more than 30% of all shipped wearables by 2020. Future ear-worn products will be able to accommodate virtual personal assistants and subsequently be used for a variety of tasks such as voice searches and hands-free directions.
Sources: Vogue (August 5, 2016) | Glossy (December 3, 2018) | Nanalyze (February 17, 2019) | Gartner (November 29, 2018) | Image: Bellabeat