People prefer wearable devices that are unobtrusive, fit into daily life and existing habits, and look stylish. But even if all these boxes are ticked, do they really want to wear technology on their wrists, faces and around their necks?

The opening pages of glossy magazines are predominantly populated by the fashion elite – long-legged waifs clutching Marc Jacobs handbags or garbed in Burberry trenches. But the March 2015 issue of Vogue will feature an altogether different kind of luxurious style offering.

Are traditional watches under threat of extinction by the evolution of the smartwatch? Or is the mechanical timepiece truly timeless? Apple’s iWatch is making stalwarts like TAG Heuer and Swatch rethink, so what do we really want to wear on our wrists?

French fashion house Opening Ceremony may be better known for statement dresses and outrageous shoes, but a partnership with Intel has resulted in a luxurious piece of smart technology. But who wants to wear a snakeskin, bejewelled piece of wearable tech?

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” is a mantra that many women lived by throughout the 20th century. But times have changed. For Millennials in particular, fine jewellery – just like cars, houses and health insurance before it – has become an unappealing investment.

It doesn’t matter what income you’re on, everyone spends in the struggle for status. From make-up to man-bags, protein shakes to plastic surgery, jewellery to private jets – we all splash cash in the name of vanity. And new research shows that these purchases could be worth as much as $4.5 trillion.

A new generation of tech-savvy trendies was born from the crowdfunding movement, and this predominantly male audience wants unique electronics that will give them the fast track to the future. Brooklyn-born e-tailer Grand St. offers its 200,000 members a carefully curated selection.

With half a billion wearable devices shipping in the next few years and going straight onto wrists, shoes, glasses and lapels, soon interacting with smart cities will seem as 'normal' as checking Facebook.