I Thought Phone Lanyards Were Ugly—Until I Tried Bandolier’s Bodie

I love that the wallet fits up to five cards. I test a lot of MagSafe wallets, which typically only fit up to three cards. This feels like a lot. I can carry my debit card, credit card, driver’s license, and cash without it feeling like a tight squeeze. The snap enclosure ensures that everything remains inside safely. It’s easy to open and close, and you can pull your cards out without struggling at the register.

The case’s bottom has two hooks that attach to the clasps on the crossbody strap. Undo the hooks when you want to use your phone like normal. The downside? The integrated wallet obstructs the MagSafe magnets and disables the iPhone’s wireless charging capabilities and compatibility with MagSafe accessories—you’d have to take the case off if you want those features back. I tend to remove the case when I get home and pop it back on when heading out.

The wallet should’ve been removable, but Bandolier does sell a MagSafe-compatible Mila crossbody. It has a built-in bifold wallet that folds out, allowing you to pop a wireless charger on the back of the iPhone or a MagSafe accessory. But the Mila’s wallet doesn’t accommodate as many cards, and it doesn’t have the crucial Essentials Pouch.

This mini zip pouch sits in the middle of the strap on the Bodie, making your items easily accessible. You can move it further up or down, or clip it to the top. It’s removable, too. I’ll sometimes take it off the strap and throw it in my tote instead of transferring all the items inside between bags. It’s small, so you can’t fit much inside, but it’s been handy for carrying my car keys, chapstick, and AirPods.

Unlike the thin lanyards on most crossbody phone cases, the Bodie’s strap feels equivalent to one on a nice handbag. Made of nylon, it’s thick and durable, delivering a secure hold even with a somewhat weighty iPhone hanging from it. It’s adjustable, so you can switch up the length depending on what you’re wearing or how tall you are.

On days I need to carry something extra, like lipstick or a small tube of liquid blush, I reach for Bandolier’s Avery AirPods Clip-On pouch to put my AirPods in, which conveniently attaches to the strap’s clips. Bandolier sells it separately, but it matches the Bodie perfectly, complete with the same pebble vegan leather texture and gold accents.

I was still nervous wearing the Bodie out for the first time, with my iPhone awkwardly dangling from the side of my hip. It just didn’t feel natural. That feeling quickly disappeared when I realized how nice it was to be free from a bulky crossbody bag, the feeling of an annoying strap sliding off my shoulder, or being weighed down by all the stuff in my pockets. I was hands-free, while still having easy access to my phone and essentials.

The compliments also helped. The first day I brought it out, a stranger at a store immediately mentioned how nice it looked, asked me tons of questions, and then looked it up right in front of me on Bandolier’s website (a nice confidence boost). Since it looks so much like a traditional crossbody bag, especially when you’re wearing it with the phone screen facing inward, it’s hard to tell it’s a phone lanyard—the best of both worlds.

The minor design details matter. Between the thick strap, buckles, clasps, gold accents, and vegan leather look, the Bodie mimics a traditional crossbody, and it’s tough to tell that it’s a phone case that doubles as a wallet. The modularity, with the ability to accessorize with different pieces, means you can disguise it even more.

If the price on Bandolier’s Bodie is a jump scare, well, I don’t blame you. Spending $150 on a glorified phone case is hard to stomach. But it’s a cute, stylish, and functional accessory, and the quality shines through. It’s a fashion accessory more than a tech accessory. Taylor Swift would never steer me wrong.