**Apple Revives the Sock: Meet the iPhone Pocket, a High-Fashion Take on an Unlikely Accessory**
Apple, long known for its innovative tech products and occasionally quirky accessories, is bringing back an old-school concept with a modern twist: the iPhone Pocket. If you remember the iPod socks from the early 2000s—those colorful, woolen sleeves that cozily enveloped your iPod—this new release will feel like a nostalgic nod, albeit with a high-fashion upgrade and a much steeper price tag.
### A Collaboration with High-Fashion Roots
The iPhone Pocket isn’t just another phone case. It’s the result of a collaboration between Apple and renowned Japanese fashion brand Issey Miyake. Issey Miyake’s name is synonymous with avant-garde pleated designs and minimalist chic, and the influence is clear in the iPhone Pocket’s look and construction. Fashion writer Tiffany Lo describes it as “embodying Issey Miyake's signature pleat pattern and the idea of crafting it from a single piece of fabric—it’s instantly recognizable.” This collaboration is particularly meaningful, as Issey Miyake was also the designer behind Steve Jobs' famous black turtlenecks, a staple of Apple’s co-founder’s wardrobe.
### Design and Functionality: More Than Just a Phone Sleeve
At first glance, the iPhone Pocket looks like a small, ribbed sweater—one that might have accidentally shrunk in the wash and then been stretched back out. It’s a 3D-knitted, stretchy pouch made to fit the latest iPhones snuggly. The ribbed texture gives it a tactile feel, while the see-through, mesh-like quality means you can catch a glimpse of your lockscreen without pulling your phone out completely.
But Apple isn’t limiting this accessory to just your phone. The iPhone Pocket is marketed as a multi-purpose pouch. It’s designed to carry not only your iPhone but also other small essentials like AirPods, lip balm, key fobs, or breath mints—essentially anything you might want quick access to on the go. This flexibility, combined with its wearable design, puts it somewhere between a phone case, a fashion accessory, and a small crossbody bag.
### Wear It Your Way: Two Sizes, Multiple Colors
The iPhone Pocket comes in two versions: one with a short strap, more akin to a wristlet, and another with a longer strap for crossbody or over-the-shoulder wear. The short version is ideal for carrying in hand or attaching to another bag, while the longer strap turns your phone into a fashion-forward crossbody accessory, reminiscent of a sash or, as some have joked, a “mankini.” The design is undeniably eye-catching, if a bit unconventional, and it’s bound to attract attention—whether curious or confused.
Apple has clearly put thought into the color options, offering plenty of choices to suit different tastes. The short strap