Apple’s New ‘iPhone Pocket’ is a $320+ Sock, Not Available in Canada

No, it’s not April Fools’ Day. Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to launch the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone and other small items.

The collaboration blends Apple’s industrial design with ISSEY MIYAKE’s textile craftsmanship, using a 3D-knitted structure inspired by the concept of “a piece of cloth.”

The iPhone Pocket will be available starting November 14 at select Apple Stores and on apple.com across several countries including the U.S., UK, Japan, and France. The short-strap version will sell for $149.95 USD (about $210 CAD) and the long-strap version for $229.95 USD ($322 CAD). Unfortunately this sock is not available in Canada (we’re just not cool enough here).

The design is described as flexible and expandable, with an open ribbed texture that allows users to see their iPhone screen through the fabric. It can be held, tied to a bag, or worn cross-body. The short-strap version comes in eight colours — lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon, and black — while the long-strap model comes in sapphire, cinnamon, and black.

“The design of iPhone Pocket speaks to the bond between iPhone and its user, while keeping in mind that an Apple product is designed to be universal in aesthetic and versatile in use,” said Yoshiyuki Miyamae, design director of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO.

“iPhone Pocket explores the concept of ‘the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way.’ The simplicity of its design echoes what we practice at ISSEY MIYAKE — the idea of leaving things less defined to allow for possibilities and personal interpretation.”

“Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE share a design approach that celebrates craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight. This clever extra pocket exemplifies those ideas and is a natural accompaniment to our products. The colour palette of iPhone Pocket was intentionally designed to mix and match with all our iPhone models and colours — allowing users to create their own personalized combination,” said Molly Anderson, Apple’s vice-president of Industrial Design.

Each iPhone Pocket is crafted in Japan, continuing ISSEY MIYAKE’s focus on fabric innovation and reinterpretation of everyday items. The product will be sold in select flagship stores including the following:

• Apple Canton Road, Hong Kong
• Apple Ginza, Tokyo
• Apple Jing’an, Shanghai
• Apple Marché Saint-Germain, Paris
• Apple Myeongdong, Seoul
• Apple Orchard Road, Singapore
• Apple Piazza Liberty, Milan
• Apple Regent Street, London
• Apple SoHo, New York City
• Apple Xinyi A13, Taipei

Would you buy the iPhone Pocket? This sounds like another must-have accessory like Apple’s $25 polishing cloth.

This isn’t the first sock we’ve seen from Apple. The iPod Sock was a simple yet iconic Apple accessory released in 2004 for $29 US. Sold in a pack of six bright colours, the knitted sleeves were designed to protect iPod music players from scratches while adding a touch of personality, but later discontinued around 2012. The iPod Sock had a purpose to protect from scratches. The iPhone Pocket is supposed to be a fashion accessory. Go figure.

Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs was known for always wearing a black turtleneck, a simple uniform he chose to avoid wasting time deciding what to wear. The sweaters were made for him none other than Issey Miyake, and Jobs reportedly bought hundreds of them. I don’t know if Jobs would be wearing the iPhone Pocket, though.