ET Startup Awards 2026: Silicon Valley’s dress code gets a data-driven twist

A recent startup awards event reportedly replaced traditional formal attire with a Silicon Valley-inspired dress code, blending boardroom aesthetics and founder casual. Attendees arrived in puffer vests, sneakers, and silk saris paired with fitness watches, accessorizing with smart rings and trackers—turning the evening’s uniform into a showcase of personal, data-driven style.

The event, held earlier this month, featured past and present winners, including a fintech unicorn recognized as Startup of the Year after a high-profile IPO, and a robotics startup honored for its innovative industrial arms. An investor also received a top industry accolade.

The sartorial shift reflects broader trends in founder culture, where wearable tech has moved from niche to mainstream. Earlier this year, reports noted how a newly released AI model sparked imitators in Silicon Valley, highlighting how quickly tech-driven behaviors spread. Here, the adoption of smart accessories at a high-profile awards ceremony suggests wearables are no longer just functional—they’re becoming a status symbol in startup circles.

Whether this signals a permanent shift in industry dress codes or a fleeting experiment remains unclear. What is certain: the line between professional polish and founder ease is blurring, one smart ring at a time.

Sources: economictimes.indiatimes.com