Techno-Chic’s Next Wave

TRENDSPOTTING | by ALEXANDRA SMITH

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE LAND OF TECHNOLOGY, fashion and function had nothing to do with each other. Techno-gear was clunky and gray. Its accoutrements were utilitarian at best: boring black laptop cases, awkward plastic cell-phone belt clips.

Clearly, the marketplace was begging for a shot of style. It got one. With the days of Velcro cell-phone covers well behind us, we’re now seeing tech-chic taken to the max. From runway-worthy carrying cases to multi-tasking accessories, it’s clear that fashion and technology have a good thing going.

Got a chic geek on your gift list? Here’s some cool gear to check out.

© VIVIENNE TAM FOR HP

Let’s start with Vivienne Tam, who followed up her flowered HP netbook with the fashion-week launch of a Digital Clutch. The gorgeous gadget looks like a purse but works like a laptop.

Frozen fingers getting in the way of app access? Dots Gloves makes surprisingly cute iPhone-friendly gloves with tiny “grip dots” on the middle and index fingers.

Somewhere between James Bond and Kate Moss lies the latest in eyewear technology from Calvin Klein. The ck USB Memory Frames hide a 4 gig USB port in the right temple of some very chic sunglasses.

Finally, if your style MO is more Martha Stewart than super spy, there’s a whole range of crafty gadget goodies to salivate over. Check out this crochet laptop cover and these gorgeous wood iPhone cases. Prefer to DIY? ReadyMade and Craftzine offer tons of tutorials.