The year-on-year improvement of smartphone capabilities over the last few decades has given us the power to leave the house with nothing else on our person.
These mighty paragons of technology contain every piece of necessary information, contact capacity and entertainment to survive treacherous tube journeys and long days at the office. The only other requisite comes in the form of food and drink, and that can be foraged or gathered along the way. After all, the magical device also functions as a wallet, and for some smart-home owners, the keys to their house.
However, the ability to travel with just a smartphone poses one particular problem: where does one put it? On the particularly light-load days when we’re able to forgo the use of cumbersome tote bags that slide off our shoulders, popping a smartphone into the bottom of a never-ending black hole of a handbag seems impractical.
Likewise, for the women whose jean pockets are nowhere near as deep as men’s, due to some ancient misogynistic design flaw that has managed to reign supreme within the laws of fashion, the prospect of safe and proper phone storage poses a problem.
Enter: phone pouches. Often realised in a practical cross-body design, or in the form of a miniature over-the-shoulder handbag, phone pouches are designed to accommodate one item, and one item only. We’re sure we don’t need to spell it out for you.
For some, phone pouches pose an entirely unappealing prospect. What’s the point of going out without the ability to hold or store absolutely anything else? For others, they are the stylish piece of kit that they’ve been waiting for ever since the iPhone 5 made the smartphone 8.6mm longer than any of us were used to and they began to poke out of back pockets and jackets in a manner that almost seem to scream ‘steal me.’
The perfect combination of a stylish accessory and practical necessity, phone pouches are at the top of our wishlist this summer. Keep scrolling for a round-up of the best on the market.
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Mary Frances Beaded Crossbody Phone Bag
The 20s-inspired, flapper-esque design on this beautiful beaded crossbody phone pouch makes it an ideal accessory for day-to-nighttime adventures. Available in a variety of other designs and colourways, and further equipped with two zipper closures depending on whether you’d like to style it as a pouch or a miniature handbag, this artisanally-made piece is an opulent accessory fit for A-Listers and royalty alike.
Buy now £88.00, Free People
Mini Western Faux-Leather Pouch Crossbody Bag
This Western-inspired faux leather design from Free People has captured our hearts. Though this pouch is open-top, the length of the crossbody strap is just 17cm. This means that you’ll be able to keep your phone close to your person, safe from sticky fingers and easily accessible for all your navigation and economic needs.
Buy now £58.00, Anthropologie
iets frans... Crossbody Carabiner Phone Pouch
Moving swiftly into Gorpcore aesthetic territory, this discounted iets frans phone pouch is complete with a neon green carabiner attachment and an additional front pocket for any smaller essentials such as lip balm or chewing gum.
Buy now £6.00, Urban Outfitters
Black Phone Crossbody Bag
Sleek and stylish with a wonderfully thick and comfortable crossbody strap, we love the subtle zebra print design paired with a black faux leather finish. This understated silhouette also features two main compartments rather than one, making it slightly more practical than your classic phone pouch. We’re big fans of the adjustable strap and button closure for extra security.
Buy now £26.00, Oliver Bonas
Lady Dior Phone Holder
Featured here in Dior’s iconic cloud blue Cannage lambskin, the Lady Dior phone pouch is the practical companion that luxury designer enthusiasts have been waiting for. Featuring a delightful, detachable signature Dior gold charm and a two-way zip closure, this ingenious design is also equipped with three card slots, a removable leather top handle as well as a removable chain strap.
Buy now £1050.00, Dior
Quilted smartphone bag
Get festival ready with this quilted, padded smartphone bag. Though technically part of H&M’s Kids range, we love how the shorter bungee strap ensures this shimmering, metallic pouch is kept as close as possible. Plus, the padded design will prevent your phone pouch from whacking into you with brute force while you’re dancing the night away. Keep that ribcage protected.
Buy now £12.99, H&M
Crossbody Phone Bag With Detachable Strap
This technicolour dream of a phone pouch certainly won’t go unnoticed. We’re big fans of the fact that the woven, detachable crossbody strap serves as a statement accessory in itself. Velvet lined with a magnetic closure and four extra card slots on the back, this piece is going straight into our virtual basket.
Buy now £165.00, Wolf & Badger
Valentino Locò Phone Case With Neck Strap
Part of Valentino’s menswear collection, the Locò phone pouch is the epitome of quiet luxury. Though the golden, antique-brass finished Valentino Garavani logo is indeed emphasised by the black leather, the delicate subtlety of its design makes this piece a timeless office-to-dinner accessory.
Buy now £780.00, Valentino
Handmade Adjustable Leather Phone Bag With Pocket - Green
An option for the minimalists among us, this brilliant phone pouch has been crafted with the finest full-grain leather and dyed in-house by artisans for guaranteed quality. Large enough for any type of phone, provided it’s not a brick from the 80s, you’ll struggle to remember what life was like before the introduction of this fantastic accessory.
Buy now £129.00, Wolf & Badger
Bronte Bee Phone Bag
Whether you hail from the Northern city of Manchester or are simply a fan of fuzzy, friendly pollinators – this lovely little phone pouch from Fatface is adorned with a miniature bee insignia at the bottom of its fold-over faux leather flap.
Buy now £35.00, Fatface
