Short answer: if your clothes have no pockets, the five real options are a crossbody phone case, a bag, an armband, a fanny pack or a belt clip. For everyday use a crossbody phone case is the one most people stick with, because the phone is worn on you and reachable with one hand. $49.90, free US shipping, 30 day money back guarantee.
Why This Is Even a Problem
Women's clothing famously does not come with pockets, and when it does they are often too small or too shallow to trust with a phone. Leggings, dresses, skirts, fitted trousers and most workout clothes leave you holding a phone in your hand all day, or leaving it somewhere and losing track of it.
Men run into the same thing more often than people assume: suit trousers where a phone ruins the line, gym shorts with no zip, or the simple fact that a large phone in a front pocket is uncomfortable to sit down in.
So here are the five options that actually work, what each is good at, and where each falls down.
1. Crossbody Phone Case
A phone case with a strap attached, worn across the body or around the neck. The phone hangs at your hip or on your chest, visible and reachable with one hand, and it goes back to hanging when you are done.
Good for: everyday wear, travel, festivals, dog walks, errands, anything where you want the phone accessible rather than stored. It is also the most popular cell phone holder for pants without pockets, because it does not depend on the clothing at all.
Falls down: it is visible, so if you specifically want the phone hidden, this is not that.
A Keebos is $49.90 and includes the fitted case, an adjustable 54 inch strap, a sealable wallet for up to 6 cards and an elastic finger strap. The strap detaches completely, so it doubles as an ordinary case. If you already own a case you like, the universal strap is $34.90 and attaches to it.
2. A Purse or Bag
The default answer, and a perfectly good one if you are already carrying a bag.
Good for: carrying more than a phone. Bags come in every style and color, so they match an outfit in a way a strap does not.
Falls down: you have to open it every time, which is awkward one-handed and impossible while pushing a stroller or holding a rail. It is also the easiest thing to leave behind on a chair, and a phone at the bottom of a bag is a missed call.
3. Armband
A band around the upper arm that grips the phone.
Good for: running and the gym specifically. It keeps the phone still while you move, which nothing worn on a strap does as well.
Falls down: it is a workout item. Most people are not going to wear an armband to dinner, and reading the screen means twisting your arm around to look at it.
4. Fanny Pack or Belt Bag
Worn at the waist or across the chest, holding a phone plus a few small things.
Good for: festivals, theme parks, travel days, anywhere you want your hands free and a bit of capacity.
Falls down: bulk. It sits against your body and adds a layer, which is fine over a jacket and less fine over a dress. Same open-it-every-time problem as a bag.
5. Belt Clip or Holster
A clip or holster that attaches to a waistband or belt.
Good for: work, trades and anyone already wearing a belt who wants the phone secure and out of the way. It is the most genuinely hands-free option on this list after a strap.
Falls down: it needs a belt or a sturdy waistband, so it does not solve the leggings or dress problem at all. It is also the least discreet look of the five.
What About a Dress or an Outfit With No Pockets at All?
This is the hardest version of the problem, because a dress usually rules out a belt clip, an armband looks out of place, and a fanny pack fights the silhouette.
That leaves a small bag or a crossbody phone case. The case tends to win here for two reasons: worn short as a necklace it reads as an accessory rather than luggage, and you can swap the strap to match. A chain strap looks deliberate with an evening dress in a way a nylon bag strap does not.
Which One Should You Pick?
- Every day, with any outfit: crossbody phone case.
- Running or the gym: armband.
- Festival or theme park: fanny pack, or a crossbody case if you only need the phone and a card.
- At work with a belt: belt clip or holster.
- A dress or formal outfit: crossbody case on a chain, or a small bag.
- Already carrying a bag anyway: the bag is fine, just accept the digging.
Carrying a Phone Without Pockets: FAQ
How do you carry your phone with no pockets?
There are five options that work: a crossbody phone case worn on a strap, a purse or bag, an armband, a fanny pack, or a belt clip. A crossbody case is the one most people settle on for everyday use, because the phone is worn on your body and can be reached with one hand without opening anything.
What is the best cell phone holder for pants without pockets?
A crossbody phone case, because it does not rely on the clothing at all. A belt clip needs a belt or a firm waistband, and an armband is really a gym item. A case on an adjustable strap works the same whether you are wearing leggings, a dress or a suit. The Keebos version is $49.90 and includes a wallet for 6 cards.
How do you carry a phone while wearing a dress?
A crossbody phone case worn short, as a necklace, or a small bag. A belt clip and an armband both look out of place with a dress, and a fanny pack fights the silhouette. Swapping to a chain strap makes the case read as jewelry rather than gear.
How do you carry a phone at work without pockets?
If you wear a belt, a clip or holster keeps it secure and out of the way. If you do not, a crossbody case worn short sits neatly under a lanyard or badge and keeps your hands free. The strap detaches if you would rather not wear it during a meeting.
How do men carry a phone without pockets?
Belt clip, crossbody case or a sling bag are the usual three. A large phone in a front trouser pocket is uncomfortable to sit down in and ruins the line of a suit, which is why more men have moved to wearing the phone instead.
What is the best way to carry a phone while running?
An armband holds the phone stillest, which matters at running pace. A crossbody case worn short and tight also works and is far easier to actually use mid-run, since you do not have to twist your arm to see the screen.
How much does a crossbody phone case cost?
$49.90 for the case with the adjustable strap, the 6 card wallet and the finger strap included. Spare and chain straps start at $24.90, and the universal strap that attaches to a case you already own is $34.90. US shipping is free.
1 comment
My wife always wears clothes with no pockets, so I got her this crossbody phone case. Now she can keep her phone handy and never have to worry about where to put it!