Silly Bandz

Originally created by the Japanese design team Passkey Design, Yumiko Ohashi and Masonar Haneda in 2002, the Silly Bandz was made popular in the United States by Robert Croak, owner of Toledo, Ohio-based BCP Imports. Robert Croak, who encountered the bands on a business trip and decided to re-purpose them as a toy by making them larger and thicker, and marketing them as a kids' fashion accessory.

Silly Bandz are die-molded with non-toxic silicone and sold in packages with different themes, like princesses, animals or even Justin Bieber. On a wrist, they function like a regular bracelet, and when taken off they revert to their original shape. They are often worn many at a time and are traded like other collectibles.

One parent attributed the toy's success to their being easily lost and broken, and said that, "If your friend has the princess kind, then you have to have the princess kind, too." Seth McGowan, a toy industry analyst for Needham & Company, said it is refreshing that the "lowest of technologies" is also the one that is the most appealing, to children.

While kids love Silly Bandz, the trend is clearly making its way to adults–and by adults we mean fashion forward celebs such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary Kate Olsen and model Agyness Deyn. A reporter from style.com spotted Mary Kate wearing them at a resort appointment, British designer Henry Holland tweeted that Agyness Deyn wears Silly Bandz, while Sarah Jessica Parker has made multiple press appearances donning a neon Silly Band (a gift from her son, James Wilkie), mixed in with more fashion-forward bracelets.