8 Accessory-Worthy Gadgets You Don't Have to Be a Techie to Love
The thing about wearable tech is that up until now, it hasn't been exactly...wearable. It's been cumbersome, geeky, and kinda bionic looking, no matter how amazing its features may be. But thanks to some of our favorite designers throwing their hats in the tech ring (Tory Burch and Rebecca Minkoff, we're looking at you) and the rest of the industry following suit, there's a whole new batch of rad accessories that do much more than just complete your outfit.
Whether you're looking to run faster, study smarter, or live better, these gadgets are seriously revolutionary—and you can even wear them without looking like you just walked out of a test lab. Click through to catch our favorite high-tech fashion, and don't forget to tell us which gadget is going to be your go-to in the comments.
Photo courtesy of mighty-purse.com1/9It's in the Bag
It’s a wristlet; it’s a bag; it’s...the Mighty Purse! (Had to.) But seriously, this is pretty awesome: As much as it looks like a regular ol’ wristlet (and a cute one at that), it holds a sneaky little battery that’ll boost your cell phone when you dash out the door and forget to charge it. It’s like a superhero and spybag in one, and it even works on most smartphones.
The Mighty Purse wristlet, $99.,mighty-purse.com.
Photo courtesy of Tory Burch2/9The cool new wave of wearable tech.
Photo courtesy of cuff.io3/9Off the Cuff
This one’s as smart as it looks: The Cuff line is literally a lifeline, straight to your parent’s, BFF’s or roommate’s phone. Touch the black-inset link, and it’ll send an alert right on over to their cell via the Cuff app, programmed with the people you need to stay in contact. Say you break down in the middle of nowhere, and your phone’s dead: Press the black bit, and your GPS location is sent to your network. Or make a secret code: Two small presses, and you can beam Mom that you need to talk to her right now.
Cuff Carin bracelet, $60. www.cuff.io.
Photo courtesy of toryburch.com4/9Fitness Meets Fashion
Tory redesigned the FitBit Flex, beloved tool of fitness trackers everywhere, to look as gorgeous as one of her signature jewelry pieces. Can you tell that’s tech? Neither can we. What can it tell? Steps, distance traveled, and calories burned, stacked up against your goals. Savvy, right?
Tory Burch for FitBit metal hinged bracelet, $195. toryburch.com.
Photo courtesy of luluguiness.com5/9Camera-Ready
Just go ahead and call yourself Jamie Bond: This sneaky camera disguised as a super-cute crossbody is perfect for anyone who has to Instagram everyone (and everything) she sees. Stop-motion your summer with this handy gadget, which will automatically take pictures from its "bag’s-eye" view using a fancy-schmancy algorithm. Music festival revelry? Awesome POV. During the actual shows? Maybe not so much.
Lulu Guinness autographer bag, $625. luluguiness.com.
Photo courtesy of netatmo.com6/9Sun Sense
Are we the only ones who never know what kind of SPF to put on? This bracelet communicates with its smartphone app to tell you how to protect yourself from the sun. It measures UV levels to tell you when sunglasses are a must and makes SPF recommendations. Can you feel your skin urging you to buy one?
Netatmo June bracelet, $99, netatmo.com.
Photo courtesy of ringly.com7/9Ringing In
Easily mistakable for a cool cocktail ring, this gem picks up incoming texts, calls or calendar events and alerts you with a little buzz. Quality time with friends (or date night) can now go uninterrupted, even while you’re staying connected.
Ringly rings, $145 each. ringly.com.
Photo courtesy of rebeccaminkoff.com8/9Music (Wo)Man
Some people say you bring the party with you. Well, what’s a party without music? Save dead speakers or liven up a too-quiet situation with this (gorgeously green) clutch from one of the hottest bag designers out there. Forget wires (they’re so 2000): Just Bluetooth it up to the nearest smartphone with tunes, and the night is saved. And with the impressive sound quality it delivers, some might say it’s pretty clutch.
Rebecca Minkoff for Stellé audio clutch, $399. rebeccaminkoff.com.
Photo courtesy of sensoria.com9/9Sports Doctor
So this might be the most expensive sports bra you’ve ever bought, but it hooks up to a heart rate monitor (not included) to track your stats as you work out. The company’s fitness socks are also great for serious runners: Using a companion app, they detect cadence, footfall, and center-of-balance to help improve time and gait.
Sensoria sports bra, $79. sensoria.com.
