Ask the Edit: A Wallet and A Phone Case Have a Baby
Jun 25, 2018
You need a wallet. You need a phone case. Do you want to carry a bulky wristlet? Just break down and haul your purse everywhere? What is the solution?
Hi Abra,
Thank you again for an amazing event with Hitha and for always providing honest, real, trustworthy recs and advice.
Question for you: what do you do for phone/wallet/keys? I used to have a small card case keychain for ID, credit card, and DC metro card, but now it’s seeming that my phone is becoming my wallet and I should think about a combo phone/wallet instead. What can you recommend that is sleek, manageable, and keeps everything super accessible? I feel like I need more than a 2 card slot on the back of my phone, but less than a bulky tech wallet/wristlet, though I’m not necessarily opposed to either if they are the right thing.
Thanks, A
I’m so glad you made it to Hitha’s and my event, and I’m even more pleased you enjoyed it. Hopefully, there will be more of them in the future.
So because I no longer commute by train, I get to carry a solid 75% less stuff. It’s kind of magic. I carry my cards in a simple, metallic card case, that I throw in an envelope pouch, which I carry in the smallest bag I can get away with.
As for solving your issue…
For a straight wallet, I’ve recommended this Fossil Caroline style to a number of people. First off, it will hold an iPhone or similarly sized device. And at $47, you can abuse it until the wheels fall off without feeling like you made a bad financial decision.
A phone folio case like this Michael Kors, in cobalt or blush, gives you three card slots, a cash pocket, room for your phone, and a convenient magnetic closure. They also make a style with a tab closure in grey.
Have a Samsung or other Android device? Amazon is basically your only option. I found this cool Samsung folio case.
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Abra – I want to echo the women who have already written in to thank you for your event with Hitha in DC. I also attended and so enjoyed meeting and listening to the two of you. Would love if there were more of those events in the future!
A – not sure if this is too bulky for you, but I have a Coach phone wristlet that I got from their outlet store a few years ago and it’s been great for me. It looks like they’ve changed the model slightly since I bought mine, but this is more or less the same thing: https://www.coach.com/coach-phone-wristlet/13943.html?cgid=women-wristlets&dwvar_color=SV%2FPY#cgid=women-wristlets&start=20 (And I also saw some online at Macys).
I attached a keychain clip to the ring at the base of the wrist strap so that I can keep everything together but also easily unclip my keys when I need to.
The Lo & Sons wristlet fits my ID, cards, cash, and my enormous Samsung S8+ (in a slim case). It’s my handy go-to for popping out of the office with everything I need in one (tiny) place. Tradeoffs: Slim design and fits large phones including non-Apple devices, but your phone is also less easily accessible than if it were in a folio-style case.
https://www.loandsons.com/collections/womens-small-accessories/products/smartphone-wristlet-saffiano-leather-black
I got my sister in law this from Dagne Dover… and want it for myself!
https://www.dagnedover.com/collections/essentials-clutch-wallet
I’d love to hear from those who mentioned the Coach, Dagne and Lo&Sons options if they think the wallets/wristlets would fit TWO phones?? I have the curse of a work and a personal phone to tote around with me.
Thanks!
@ Pam – Oof, that is annoying. But unfortunately I don’t think the Coach phone wristlet would fit two phones – by the time I put my phone in it, it’s pretty full.
@Pam – well the Dagne Dover does have 2 pockets, each could house a phone. It might make it pretty bulky though, I’m not sure.
I have to carry two phones, id, credit cards etc. I have bought two of these clutches and they have plenty of room for everything. Forget your opinions about their maker, they are really the best commuting clutch around.
https://www.amazon.com/Ivanka-Trump-Tech-Sleeve-Battery/dp/B01B1IH5UM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_309_bs_lp_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=BS8FDK4XVW9ABYZ4XD2A
Late to the party, but check Sena cases. They are pricy, yes. Has one case outlived two phones that I’ve sweated, cried, bled and accidentally spilled house paint on, partied with, thrown across the room and chucked with abandon into my work bag for four years? YEP. I’m on the second case, third phone and these things are beautiful leather tanks.
Won’t hold a full keyring, but ID, credit card, metro card and some cash fit just fine.