Roxanne Assoulin
The year 2000 called, and it said that Y2K style is back. (Old news, but whatever.) It’s time to dig up all of your parachute pants, maxi skirts, and temporary tattoos. Although there is a nostalgic appeal to the Sidekicks, Nokias, and Razr phones of the past, we’ll happily hold on to our iPhones and Google Pixels instead. Those little charms that we used to loop onto phones, on the other hand? They’re back, and they’ve taken on a more pragmatic form. Introducing: the phone strap, a whimsical, beaded concoction that offers lanyard functionality and stylish personalization.
You might be familiar with the phone charm-centric Instagram account Hang on Bling, which rose to immense popularity during the pandemic. Founder Alex Bass has since gone inactive on the account, but she gave ELLE the low-down on what makes these funky little accessories so great, saying the appeal lies in how it marries self-expression and practicality. She also echoes the insurmountable wave of nostalgia, citing her love for the early aughts as the core of her brand, “The ethos behind the brand is really bringing back that Y2K nostalgia we all know and love for all generations, and accessorizing our most used accessory—our phones! Each lanyard has its own backstory and was created with lots of love and inspiration from the depths of my brain where all of my Y2K obsessions are stored.”
You may have already taken note of the trend and its stamp of approval from the likes of Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa, and Addison Rae, so why not make your mirror selfies that much cuter with a strap of your own (or multiple to coordinate with different outfits, as Bass suggests)? Ahead, the 26 coolest phone straps on the market.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
