Lend me your ears

It's funny how style goes full circle. Ten years ago, headphones were fashion anathema, but now no self-respecting music fan would be seen wearing anything else.

'On-ear' headphones (as opposed to those little tiddly 'in-ear' things) are the latest must-have accessory - at a price.

John Lewis is on top of the trend, selling statement on-ear headphones, from the Quincy Jones Signature variety (£129.95) to the Grado RS1i Mahogany model, an online exclusive at £850.

But the big sellers are the Monster Beats Pro Special Edition Detox by Dr Dre on-ear headphones at £449.95.

So why are headphones suddenly so in demand?

'People want to get more out of their iPhones, iPads or MP3 devices,' explains Rob Hennessy, Buyer, Audio, 'and when people listen to music on their daily commute, they're prepared to invest.'

But why the headphones-as-fashion-statement phenomenon? 'Dr Dre's Monster Beats have been clever at product-placing on high-profile footballers,' says Robbie.

'Whenever you see one wearing a pair of headphones, 99 per cent of the time they'll be Monster Beats.'