A wristlet is the smallest bag that still gets you through a full day. It holds your cards, cash, and keys, it hangs from your wrist so your hands stay free, and it drops into a tote when you need more room. The word now covers two different things, though. There is the classic wristlet wallet with card slots and a zipper, where the phone goes inside the bag, and there is the phone wristlet that attaches to your phone case so the phone itself rides on your wrist. Every wristlet we make is the second kind. Holding your phone is the whole point of a Save The Girls wristlet, whether it is a rope wristlet paired with an RFID pouch or a beaded loop that looks like jewelry, so we have spent years working out where a phone wristlet fits and where a traditional wallet wristlet still makes sense. This guide starts with our two picks from our own line, adds seven options from other brands, and then walks through how to choose.
Quick answer: which wristlet should you buy?
If you want one accessory that carries your phone on the outside and your cards zipped away, a two piece set like our Active Wristlet with RFID Pouch does that job. If you dress up often and mostly need your phone within reach, a beaded phone wristlet is lighter and looks like jewelry. If you carry a lot of cards and want the phone inside the bag, a zip around wristlet wallet from a brand like Fossil or Michael Kors is the traditional route. The rest of this guide explains the trade offs.
The picks at a glance
1 Save The Girls Active Wristlet with RFID Double Pouch OUR PICK · Everyday carry with the phone on the outside
2 Save The Girls Clip & Go Beaded Wristlet, Nina Collection OUR PICK · Evenings, events, and small bag days
3 Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Large Pebbled Leather Wristlet · A designer wristlet wallet with room for a phone
4 Fossil Logan RFID Zip Around Clutch Wristlet · A zip around wristlet with a high card count
5 Vera Bradley Signature Cotton RFID Front Zip Wristlet · A patterned cotton wristlet that is machine washable
6 Andar The Poppy · A compact full grain leather card wristlet
7 The Sak Vita Wristlet · A handmade fabric wristlet with many color options
8 Corkor Cork Wallet Long · A cork zip around wallet for shoppers who want a plant based material
9 Befen Delicate Leather Wristlet · A lower priced wristlet clutch sized for larger phones
1. Save The Girls Active Wristlet with RFID Double Pouch
OUR PICK FOR EVERYDAY CARRY
Active Wristlet with RFID Double Pouch
$29.99
- Colors: Teal, Black, Olive, Brown/Orange, Purple, and Royal Blue
- Two pieces: RFID protected double pouch plus rope phone wristlet
- Wear it on the wrist, clip it to a bag, or carry the pouch alone
This is the wristlet we reach for on days when a purse feels like too much and a bare phone feels like too little. It is two pieces that work together. The RFID protected double zippered pouch handles the wallet side, and the lightweight rope wristlet handles the phone side, so you can carry the pouch, the phone, or both at once.
How the phone part works
Every Clip & Go product uses the same idea. A slim phone card slides inside your existing phone case. The card has a small tab that sticks out at the bottom, and that tab clips to the hinged ring on the wristlet. Your phone hangs from your wrist, your tote handle, a backpack, a belt loop, or a purse strap, and it stays out where you can use it for directions, payments, and photos without digging through a bag.
What is inside the pouch
- Front zippered pocket that opens fully, with three credit card depth slots and two deeper slots on each side
- Back zippered pocket with gussets and two sewn in open pockets
- Reverse side with another zippered pocket and a windowed ID slot
- RFID protected lining across the card areas
- Chunky zippers that are easy to grab one handed
Details
- Colors: Teal, Black, Olive, Brown/Orange, Purple, and Royal Blue
- Price at the time of writing: $29.99
- A single pouch version with three card slots and a side pocket is available at the same price
- Wear it on the wrist, clip it to a bag, or carry the pouch alone
Who it suits
Travel days, errands, walks, and any day you are on your feet and want both hands free. If you already own one of our Clip & Go straps, the same phone card works with this wristlet, so you can switch between crossbody and wrist carry.
2. Save The Girls Clip & Go Beaded Wristlet, Nina Collection
OUR PICK FOR EVENINGS AND EVENTS
Clip & Go Beaded Wristlet, Nina Collection
$18.74
- Five bead combinations, including Dainty Pearl with Gold Beads
- About 10 inches long with a 1 inch hinged ring
- Doubles as a charm on a bag strap
If the Active Wristlet is the practical pick, the Nina Collection is the pretty one. It reads as a bracelet first and a phone wristlet second, which is the point for brunch, weddings, concerts, and evenings when you want to carry as little as possible and still keep your phone in reach.
How it works
Slip the transparent phone card into your phone case, clip the wristlet to the one inch hinged ring, and go. The wristlet is about ten inches long, so it sits on the wrist without slipping off, and it works with most phone cases. When you are carrying a bag, it doubles as a charm on the strap.
Details
- Five bead combinations: Ivory/Charcoal, Lavender/Blue/Charcoal, Blue/Lavender/Ivory, Pink/Blue/Ivory, and Dainty Pearl with Gold Beads
- Wristlet length about 10 inches, hinged ring 1 inch outer diameter
- Transparent phone card measures about 1 1/4 inches tall including the tab and 2 3/8 inches wide
- Price at the time of writing: $18.74
More beaded styles from our line
Our Bedazzled Collection uses light catching beads in Aqua, Light Pink, Smokey Black, and Clear. The Double Strand Beaded Wristlet pairs green and pearl beads with a gold chain. The Beaded Assortment adds Dakota, Hawaiian, and Miami colorways plus a gold paperclip chain with a butterfly charm. All of them attach with the same phone card.
Who it suits
Dressier occasions, small bag days, and anyone who already carries a wallet phone case and wants a stylish way to keep the phone on hand.
3. Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Large Pebbled Leather Wristlet
DESIGNER PICK
Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Large Pebbled Leather Wristlet
$55 on sale (list $228)
- Colors: Light Cream, Camel, Black, Oregano, and Honeywheat
- 100% pebbled leather with gold tone hardware and zip around fastening
- 8.5 x 4 x 1 inches, pocketed interior for cards and receipts
The Jet Set Travel is the designer wristlet that appears in most roundups because of its layout. The version currently sold on michaelkors.com is the Large Pebbled Leather Wristlet: 100 percent leather, gold tone hardware, a zip around fastening, and a pocketed interior for cards and receipts in an 8.5 by 4 by 1 inch body. Older logo print versions of the Jet Set Travel wristlet listed one zip pocket, three accordion style pockets, and ten credit card slots with a main compartment sized for a smartphone, and they still turn up at outlets and on resale sites, so check which layout you are buying.
WORTH KNOWING
Independent reviews mention two recurring comments from buyers: some felt the leather did not match the price, and a few reported strap issues. Read recent reviews before you buy.
4. Fossil Logan RFID Zip Around Clutch Wristlet
HIGH CARD COUNT
Fossil Logan RFID Zip Around Clutch
$100
- Colors: Brown and Black leather
- 12 card slots, 2 bill compartments, interior zip pocket, 3 gusseted pockets
- Back slide pocket, back zip pocket, RFID lining, detachable 5 inch wrist strap
The Logan is a zip around clutch style wristlet for people who carry a lot of cards. Its listed interior includes twelve credit card slots, bill compartments, one zipper pocket, and three gusseted pockets, with a back slide pocket and a back zipper pocket on the outside. The lining is RFID blocking.
WORTH KNOWING
A wristlet with this many slots is closer to a small clutch than a card case, so it works better as your only bag than as a drop in for a tote.
5. Vera Bradley Signature Cotton RFID Front Zip Wristlet
PATTERNED COTTON
Vera Bradley RFID Front Zip Wristlet
$27.50 on sale (list $55)
- Patterns: Rain Garden, Bandana Paisley in Maroon Red and Yellow, and Powder Blue and Gold
- Exterior zip pocket, six card slots, slip pocket, zip closure, RFID protection
- 9 x 5 inches with a 6 inch wrist strap drop; machine washable cotton
Vera Bradley's quilted cotton wristlets are the choice when you want color and pattern instead of leather. The Front Zip Wristlet lists an exterior zipper pocket, six credit card slots, one bill pocket, a slip pocket, and a zip closure, with RFID protection in the card area. The cotton is machine washable, which is unusual for wristlets on this list.
6. Andar The Poppy
COMPACT LEATHER
Andar The Poppy
$54 Togo leather, $60 Woven
- Colors: Timber, Latte, and Merlot in Togo; Ballet, Lavender, Lilac, Blush, Crema, Jet Black, Camel Tan and more in Woven
- Holds 1 to 10 cards plus folded cash; RFID protected slots
- About 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 inches, magnetic snap, 8 inch wrist strap, brass hardware
The Poppy is a compact leather card wristlet. Andar lists it at about 3 3/4 by 2 1/2 inches, holding one to ten cards and folded cash, with a magnetic snap, expandable sides, an eight inch wrist strap, full grain oil waxed leather, and brass hardware. The card slots are RFID protected.
WORTH KNOWING
There is no phone pocket, so this is a card case with a strap rather than a purse.
7. The Sak Vita Wristlet
HANDMADE FABRIC
The Sak Vita Wristlet
$49 hand crochet, $39 leather (on sale from $59)
- Current colorways: Bamboo Static and Black crochet, Rosewood leather
- Hand crocheted, vegan certified, lined with recycled materials
- Zip closure with an optional wrist strap; fits a phone and small essentials
The Vita from The Sak (formerly Sakroots) is handmade in hand crochet or leather, is PETA approved and vegan certified, and is lined with recycled materials. Colorways rotate by season; at the time of writing thesak.com lists Bamboo Static and Black crochet and a Rosewood leather version, with more patterns appearing through the year. A zip closure secures a phone and small essentials, and the wrist strap is optional, so it also works as a pouch inside a tote.
8. Corkor Cork Wallet Long
PLANT BASED MATERIAL
Corkor Cork Wallet Long
$81
- Finishes: Brown, Black, Trunk, Red, and Zebra cork
- 8 card slots, zip coin pocket, 2 bill compartments, 6 inch phone compartment, RFID safe
- 7.9 x 4.3 x 1 inches; handmade in Portugal, PETA approved vegan, 2 year warranty
Corkor makes its goods from cork, which is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees in Portugal without cutting the tree. The Cork Wallet Long is a zip around accordion design with eight card slots, a zip coin pocket, two bill compartments, and a six inch smartphone compartment, in five finishes: brown, black, trunk, red, and zebra. It is RFID safe and comes with a two year warranty.
WORTH KNOWING
Corkor sells this as a wallet rather than a wristlet, so there is no wrist strap in the box. It earns its place here for the material; if you want it on your wrist, pair it with a clip on phone wristlet or add a strap of your own.
9. Befen Delicate Leather Wristlet
LOWER PRICED PICK
Befen Delicate Leather Wristlet
$28
- Colors: Black, White, Tan, Brown, Mocha Brown, Blue, Silver, Crocodile, Chevron Quilted, and Leopard
- 6 card slots, slip pocket, interior zip pocket, exterior back zip pocket
- Fits phones up to 6.7 inches; 8.7 x 5.4 inches; 7.5 inch wrist strap plus a detachable crossbody strap
The Befen wristlet is a popular lower priced option that doubles as a wristlet, a clutch, and a small crossbody. Its listed interior has six credit card slots, a full length compartment with a slip pocket, an interior zipper pocket, and an exterior zip pocket on the back, and it is sized to fit phones up to 6.7 inches. Both straps are removable: a 7.5 inch wrist strap and an adjustable crossbody strap.
WORTH KNOWING
Because the phone lives inside, you unzip the wristlet each time you want to check a message. That is the exact problem our Clip & Go wristlets are designed to avoid by keeping the phone on the outside.
What is a wristlet, and how is it different from a wallet or a clutch?
A wristlet is a small wallet or pouch with a strap loop sized to hang from your wrist. Compared with a regular wallet, the differences are the wrist strap, which is often detachable, and the fact that many wristlets add a pocket sized for a smartphone. Compared with a clutch, a wristlet is usually smaller, has more built in card organization, and always has the strap. A clutch is meant to be held in the hand.
A phone wristlet is the newest branch of the family. Instead of putting the phone inside a pouch, it attaches a strap or beaded loop directly to the phone case through a slim insert card, so the phone becomes the thing you carry on your wrist. Our Clip & Go range works this way, and it pairs naturally with a small pouch or wristlet wallet for cards.
Types of wristlets for women
- Keychain wristlets: small card cases with a key ring, meant to live on your keys
- Compact wristlet wallets: a few card slots, a cash pocket, and sometimes a phone pocket
- Clutch style wristlets: larger zip around designs that double as an evening bag
- Travel wristlets: RFID blocking plus extra compartments for passports and boarding passes
- Phone wristlets: a strap, rope, chain, or beaded loop that attaches to the phone case so the phone stays on the outside
- Designer wristlets: labels such as Coach, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, where the logo and the leather are part of what you pay for
How to choose a wristlet
Decide where your phone goes first
This one decision shapes everything else. If you want the phone inside, measure the pocket against your phone with its case on, and remember that grips and thick cases add bulk. If you want the phone outside, a clip on phone wristlet keeps it usable without unzipping anything, and your wallet can be as small as you like.
Count what you actually carry
On a small bag day most people carry a phone, two to four cards, a key, and a lip balm. Buy for that. A wristlet that is too small pushes loose items into pockets. One that is too big is tiring to hold all evening.
Check the layout
- Card slots: look at the count and whether they are stacked or side by side
- Cash pocket: a full length bill pocket keeps cash flat
- ID window: lets you show your license without opening the wristlet
- Zippered coin section: useful if you still carry change
- RFID protection: worth having if you carry contactless cards
Compare materials
- Full grain leather: the heaviest and usually the most expensive, and it develops a patina over time
- Coated canvas, nylon, and quilted cotton: lighter, more colorful, and easier to wipe or wash
- Cork and apple leather: plant based alternatives; polyurethane "vegan leather" is cheaper and behaves differently over time
- Rope and beads: what our own wristlets use, chosen for low weight and all day comfort on the wrist
Look at the strap
A detachable strap lets the wristlet become a pouch inside a bigger bag. A strap with a hinged ring, like ours, lets you clip the wristlet to a belt loop or tote handle when you do not want it on your wrist.
Set a price range
Published buying guides put most wristlets between $25 and $150. Under $35 tends to buy a fabric, rope, or beaded wristlet. The $75 to $100 range is where handmade and plant based materials tend to sit. Above that, the label is a large part of what you are paying for.
How to wear a wristlet
Slip the loop over your wrist and let the wristlet hang on the inside of your arm, where it is less likely to catch on doors and easier to keep in view. If the strap is adjustable, shorten it until it stays put without pinching. Switch wrists when you are carrying shopping bags, and in crowds keep the wristlet in front of you. Beaded and chain wristlets look their best worn like a bracelet with the phone resting in your palm, and they can be clipped to a bag strap as a charm when you sit down.
Why we make wristlets the way we do
The phone stays on the outside
Most wristlets ask you to zip your phone inside a pouch and unzip it every time it buzzes. We started from the opposite idea. Our phone card and hinged ring system attaches the wristlet to the phone case, so the phone is always in your hand or on your wrist and the pouch only has to hold what a pouch is good at holding.
One system, many ways to carry
The same phone card that works with our beaded wristlets also works with our Clip & Go crossbody straps, our Active Wristlet, and our purse charms. Buy one case insert and you can move between wrist, crossbody, and bag carry without changing your phone case.
Who we are
SaveTheGirls is a women owned business. We donate 10 percent of our profits to breast cancer research, and that applies to every wristlet, strap, and purse we sell. We also answer our own customer emails, which is where most of the advice in this guide comes from.
Our pick
We put our Active Wristlet and Nina Collection beaded wristlet first because they keep the phone on the outside, on your wrist, while the cards stay zipped away. If you want a single leather wristlet wallet with the phone inside, the Michael Kors Jet Set Travel and the Fossil Logan are the traditional choices. If you want plant based or handmade materials, look at Corkor and The Sak. Whichever you choose, buy for the days you actually have, not the outfit you are imagining, and you will use it far more often.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a wristlet and a wallet?
A wristlet is a wallet with a wrist strap, and it often adds a pocket sized for a phone. A standard wallet is designed to live inside a bag or pocket and rarely has room for a phone.
Can a wristlet hold a phone?
Wallet style wristlets from Michael Kors, Fossil, Befen, and Corkor list a main pocket sized for most smartphones, but check the measurements against your phone with its case on. A phone wristlet like our Clip & Go carries the phone on the outside instead, so pocket size does not come into it.
What is a wristlet used for?
Short trips where a purse is more than you need: errands, walks, concerts, weddings, theme parks, travel days, and evenings out. Many people also keep one inside a larger bag as the piece they pull out when they only need cards and a phone.
Is a designer wristlet worth it?
You pay for the brand, the hardware, and the leather. If the logo matters to you, it may be worth it. If organization and daily convenience matter more, compare the layout and materials of mid priced options first and read recent reviews.
Can I turn my current wallet into a wristlet?
If your wallet has an attachment loop or D ring, you can add a wrist strap. If it does not, we do not recommend punching a hole in it, since that can void the warranty. A clip on phone wristlet is another way to get hands free carry without changing your wallet at all.
Does a phone wristlet work with any phone case?
Our phone card fits inside most phone cases that have a closed back, including most iPhone and Android cases. It does not work with cases that have a fully open back or with no case at all, because the card needs to sit between the phone and the case.
What size wristlet should I buy?
Small enough that you will take it instead of a purse, and large enough for your phone if the phone is going inside. If you cannot decide, pair a compact pouch with a phone wristlet so each item is carried the way it works best.
Keep your phone on the outside
One phone card works with every Clip & Go wristlet, strap, and charm we make. 10 percent of profits go to breast cancer research.
