Fashion has always had its quirks, but the latest trend is raising eyebrows and questions about practicality. Phone straps have burst onto the scene, blending fashion with functionality, but many are left wondering if they're solving a problem or just adding to it.
Recent sightings of phone straps are hard to ignore. Models like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner have made them part of their outfits, drawing attention to this cross-body accessory that's been described as both practical and perplexing.
Even political figures are getting on board; Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner sported one during her cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. This accessory, resembling colorful lanyards, seems to be carving out its niche everywhere.
But what’s behind this sudden popularity? With the average person glued to their phone for over three and a half hours daily, the idea of keeping it close at hand seems practical. Yet, observations suggest there's more at play here.
Fashion historian Ellie Muir noted the trend might serve another purpose: it distracts from the frustrating reality of women’s clothing design. Traditional women’s garments often minimize utility, leading to the need for solutions like phone straps.
The issue of pockets has haunted women for ages. While many men navigate the world with deep pockets and hands-free convenience, women often find their dresses and pants lacking suitable space for their essentials.
Imagine—a seemingly perfect dress, but wait, there’s just no room for your phone! And if there’s ever the illusion of pockets, they often turn out to be mere decorations.
Pockets have been part of fashion history, but their status has fluctuated over time. Once regarded as essentials, they’ve been largely omitted from women’s styles, particularly as dresses grew more form-fitting throughout the 20th century.
The history reveals how political and social factors have influenced the presence of pockets in women’s fashion. Speaking to The New York Times, fashion expert Hannah Carlson explained how many designers shunned pockets for fear of disrupting the silhouette of their gowns.
This lack of functionality has led to the rise of various accessories, particularly handbags and now phone straps, filling the void left by missing pockets. Carlson referenced how during the late 19th century, pockets became standard for men as industrial styles evolved.
Despite the hefty association of fashion with beauty over utility, labels thankfully started to recognize women’s need for functionality again. Across the decades, trends have come and gone, but pockets still seem lost amid evolving styles.
The phone strap, just like handbags before them, is both useful and yet another sign of women’s fashion struggles. With brands now charging upwards of £1,280 for what is basically rope and fabric, it begs the question: are these trends truly about fashion, or simply about filling the gap of utility left by traditional clothing?
While some rave about the convenience of having their phones literally attached to their bodies, critiques grow louder. Many dread how they ruin outfits or feel awkward when the device swings around at chest height.
It’s also worth noting safety concerns, as phone thefts have spiked, especially in urban centers like London, with reports stating one phone is stolen every six minutes. Phone straps act as one extra precaution, but do they really prevent theft?
Testing the theory, one writer decided to simulate a theft with her friend. They donned the phone straps and acted out the scenario, discovering the strap's strength was questionable but perhaps not enough to deter real thieves.
The overall aim of showcasing phone straps shouldn't distract from the clear need for pockets. Will fashion designers finally take women’s practical needs seriously, or will the straps merely represent another temporary trend?
These accessories symbolize both convenience and frustration, but the reality is simple: the demand for functional pockets isn’t going anywhere. So, it’s time for women’s fashion to marry form with function, giving them the pockets they deserve to carry their phones and more.
