**Apple Revives Retro Style with the New iPhone Pocket: A Fashionable Throwback or Pricey Gimmick?**
In an unexpected twist that has both tech enthusiasts and fashionistas buzzing, Apple has introduced a new accessory that harks back to the quirky days of early 2000s tech: the iPhone Pocket. This knitted pouch is a clear nod to the iconic iPod socks that once swaddled Apple’s music players in cheerful woolen hues. First launched in 2004, iPod socks became a playful emblem of that era’s gadget culture, combining whimsy and practicality. Now, over a decade since their discontinuation, Apple is betting that nostalgia—and a partnership with a renowned fashion house—can make knitwear cool again for your iPhone.
**What Is the iPhone Pocket?**
The iPhone Pocket is essentially a 3D-knitted, ribbed pouch designed to hold your iPhone and a few other small essentials. Available in both short and long strap versions, it functions like a crossbody sling or a wristlet, depending on your preference. The pouch is stretchy and semi-transparent when pulled, allowing you to peek at your phone’s lock screen without pulling it out entirely. Apple encourages users to tuck in other pocket-sized items, such as AirPods, lip balm, a key fob, or even mints, making the Pocket as much a tiny carryall as a phone sleeve.
Unlike the original iPod socks, which were sold in multi-color packs for a modest price, the iPhone Pocket is positioned as a high-end fashion accessory. The short strap version is priced at $150, while the long crossbody strap model comes in at a steep $230. This marks a significant leap from the iPod socks’ $29 price tag, signaling Apple’s intention to target the luxury accessory market.
**A Limited-Edition Collaboration with Issey Miyake**
Part of what sets the iPhone Pocket apart from previous Apple accessories is a design partnership with the Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake. The brand is known for its innovative pleated fabrics and minimalist aesthetic, and its signature style is evident in the Pocket's ribbed, textured knit. Issey Miyake has a longstanding association with Apple, as the brand also created the prototype for an Apple employee uniform and designed the black turtlenecks famously worn by Steve Jobs.
Fashion writer Tiffany Lo notes that the iPhone Pocket “embodies Issey Miyake’s signature pleat pattern and the idea of crafting it from a single piece of fabric. It’s instantly recognizable.” This collaboration gives the Pocket a sense of exclusivity and high-fashion credibility, distinguishing it from typical tech accessories.
**Where and How to Buy**
The iPhone Pocket isn’t widely available in Apple Stores. Instead, it’s being sold in just ten select locations around the world, including SoHo in New York, Regent Street in London, Marché Saint-Germain in Paris, and Orchard Road in Singapore