Wearable Technology: Stylish and Functional

Tory Burch x Fitbit

Unless you’ve been traveling without access to Internet for the past few months, you’ve more than likely heard all about the Apple watch. To be quite honest, if I hear anything else about said watch, I might go insane. I am a huge Apple fan, BUT I do believe my husband, dad, and brother are a wee bit obsessed with this gadget. Julie, I reached my stand goal! Julie, I can send and receive text messages from my watch. Julie, I can turn off the lights from my watch. It’s non stop in my household when it comes to the Apple watch.

The Apple watch isn’t the only wearable, stylish technology out there, as you likely know. From the Fitbit to the Jawbone to the Garmin and Intel bracelet, these modern pieces of arm candy are all the rage these days. And I’m here to break it down for you.

Apple Watch: Think of this as your iPhone, with a few less features, on your arm in the form of a watch. With this watch you can not only tell the time, but you can send (via dictation) and receive text messages, scroll through your Instagram feed, access your Passbook, and make and receive voice calls. As well, the coolest feature (or so I think) is the health and fitness component, which keeps track of your daily activity and even tells you to stand up and walk around if you’ve been sitting for a while. Pretty neat!

 

Fitbit: This is probably the most well known type of wearable technology out there (and maybe the first of its kind, starting in 2007). ‘A wristband that makes fitness fashionable’ is one of their slogans, and for good reason! The band doesn’t look bad at all on its own, but they’ve even teamed up with Tory Burch for the most fashionable of these ‘activity bracelets.’ Fitbit tracks your activity all day, along with your sleep. It’s become very popular among men and women of all ages.

 

Opening Ceremony x Intel Bracelet: Now, this one could be the most stylish of the bunch. Opening Ceremony teamed up with a leading computing company Intel to create a MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory) Smart Bracelet, which allows you to stay connected at all times. My favorite is the black snakeskin-covered one with 18k gold-coated stainless steel band and embellished with white pearl cabochons, seen at Barney’s.  This bracelet can send and receive text messages, syncs with Google, offers personal concierge services, and more.

 

Jawbone: This one seems similar to the Fitbit, in the sense that it tracks your steps, sleep quality, exercise, and other things of that nature. It’s slim and can easily blend in with your other bangles and bracelets. Like the Fitbit, it syncs to various devices and comes in a variety of styles.

 

Garmin Fitness Band: Also similar to the Fitbit and Jawbone, this is a fitness tracker. This one auto syncs, tracks calories, steps, sleep, and heart rate. It’s slim and looks good day and night. Garmin also makes a smartwatch.

Now, there are some other pieces of wearable technology out there, but these are our favorites and what seem to be the most popular (and many of these would make great Father’s Day gifts!). I don’t personally own any of these bracelets/watches, but I find it brilliant that these tech gadgets have made their mark in the fashion world in such a big way. These devices promote healthy living in a fun, interactive way.

Now if only there was a bracelet out there that stops you from eating that next macaron (I had one too many this past weekend).

 

Images borrowed from Apple, Fitbit, Barney’s, Jawbone, Garmin