Smartphone-carrying male accessory for when the weather is hot and only have hip pocket for phone

kimwp · 13 July at 8:08AM

A snap closure like this is what I was thinking, for ease of getting to your phone
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1155421567?iid=174938005048

However they mostly seem to be on more bulky pouches. Unless you are competent with sewing zips, I think if I were you, I'd buy a pouch of the right width with the closure mechanism already in place, then lengthen it myself by unlocking the bottom and adding more fabric.

kimwp · 13 July at 8:25AM

kimwp said:

A snap closure like this is what I was thinking, for ease of getting to your phone
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1155421567?iid=174938005048

However they mostly seem to be on more bulky pouches. Unless you are competent with sewing zips, I think if I were you, I'd buy a pouch of the right width with the closure mechanism already in place, then lengthen it myself by unlocking the bottom and adding more fabric.

Apparently it's called a metal internal flex frame

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335463772970

And apparently it's possible to DIY one using bits of a metal tape measure

Emmia · 13 July at 8:37AM

Mistral001 said:

Emmia said:

Would a phone lanyard be suitable?

I have this one in a soft gold / green colour(olive) but it also comes in black, dark grey and a few other colours.

https://amzn.eu/d/fbDcBki

Edit: I normally have my phone in my shorts/jeans pocket, rather than dangling but using the lanyard means that if it pops out it just hangs down, and doesn't drop out.

This one is perhaps more "male" in design.

https://amzn.eu/d/e35NyJY

I have thought of lanyards. Using the landyard idea might work if only to attach the phone in hip pocket to my belt. Certainly worth considering.

If you're doing that you'll find yourself constantly clipping and unclipping the phone, for example if you want to pay for something, or to check something, answer a call...

Alternatively you'll permanently have a long trail of cord dangling outside of your pocket.

A heavy duty retractable ski/work pass holder attached in the same way as the lanyard to the phone might work better, but I've found these break if tugged too vigorously, and may not give you the length you desire to let you pay, check your phone etc.

From a sewing perspective...
Does your phone fit completely inside your pocket? If so a press stud/popper at the opening might be much easier to fit to close the pocket, than a zippered pouch (but you wouldn't be able to also put your hand in your pocket. Alternatively could you extend the depth of the pocket inside, by opening up the end of the pocket and adding additional material? You can buy sew in pocket replacements that would be the right weight of fabric - but whether that will work will depend on the length of your shorts vs. the depth of your pocket and your sewing skills, or the sewing skills of someone you know).

https://amzn.eu/d/8DaSJ7h

Iron in ones are also available, but I've found the glue on this sort of thing weakens over time, so you might end up with your phone escaping down your leg.

Emmia · 13 July at 8:45AM

Mistral001 said:

Emmia said:

Would a phone lanyard be suitable?

I have this one in a soft gold / green colour(olive) but it also comes in black, dark grey and a few other colours.

https://amzn.eu/d/fbDcBki

Edit: I normally have my phone in my shorts/jeans pocket, rather than dangling but using the lanyard means that if it pops out it just hangs down, and doesn't drop out.

This one is perhaps more "male" in design.

https://amzn.eu/d/e35NyJY

I have thought of lanyards. Using the landyard idea might work if only to attach the phone in hip pocket to my belt. Certainly worth considering.

If you just want a belt based solution, then this sort of thing would probably work better

https://amzn.eu/d/hbnZysK

https://amzn.eu/d/0s1sv0Z

Emmia · 13 July at 8:52AM

kimwp said:

kimwp said:

A snap closure like this is what I was thinking, for ease of getting to your phone
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1155421567?iid=174938005048

However they mostly seem to be on more bulky pouches. Unless you are competent with sewing zips, I think if I were you, I'd buy a pouch of the right width with the closure mechanism already in place, then lengthen it myself by unlocking the bottom and adding more fabric.

Apparently it's called a metal internal flex frame

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335463772970

And apparently it's possible to DIY one using bits of a metal tape measure

But wouldn't it go rusty after the shorts / trousers are washed? Inserting inside the entrance to the pocket would solve the problem, but doing so as a retrofit would need some sewing skills, as it should be enclosed, not surface mounted

I had this type of pouch with some Seinheisser headphones, and managed to cut myself quite badly as the metal edge of the closure worked through the thickish faux leather - if I was going down this road I'd be ensuring the metal bit was fully and firmly enclosed at the pocket opening.

Emmia · 13 July at 8:57AM

kimwp said:

Zippered bag for your phone that you pin to the inside of your pocket?

Muji have this which might be suitable, there's also a handy D ring sewn on which means it could either easily be sewn inside the pocket, or clipped to something.

I have lots of these pouches in several sizes which I use for various things and can attest to their robustness. As they're nylon, they're also washable.

Textured Nylon Zip Pouch ‐ Medium | MUJI https://share.google/q5833WCNvDLvGwQVT

I've just tried it, and my phone (Pixel 8) fits snugly (lengthwise) into the medium size.

Grumpy_chap · 13 July at 9:05AM

Some of the pouches that have been linked to look too small for many of the current ranges of smartphones.
It is important to check dimensions before purchase.

victor2 · 13 July at 9:18AM

I use a fairly long lanyard when I'm visitng an area that I don't want to invite someone to steal my phone. I pass my belt through the lanyard and stuff the rest of it in my pocket with the phone. It's long enough to let me pay for things, check in and out of tube stations etc. The only time I have to unclip it is if I'm taking a photograph with the phone and need to get just the right angle.

If I drop the phone or it falls out of my pocket, the lanyard catches it before it hits the ground!

chrisw · 13 July at 9:22AM

Slip it into your underpants. Would also deter muggers.

TimeLord1 · 13 July at 9:34AM

It's strange how society has become more concerned about a phone. Switch it off, leave it indoors, grab your wallet, and go down the pub old school and pay with cash. Incidentally, hip phone holders were laughed at by the youth as old persons accessories. The last time I had one, I owned a Motorola Razr. Life e was less complicated than now. Good luck.