your advice needed.

When I got my iPhone in September 2010, I carefully placed it in one of these Speck Candyshell cases. I loved the pop of color, but I eventually went through two cases in the course of maybe six months. After hearing about the Otterbox, I was lured by the absolute indestructibility of these cases. I ran a half marathon in the rain--and my iPhone kept playing the whole race. I dropped my phone in the sink--and it survived. I'm not easy on my phone because I use it constantly, so I need a phone cover that protects without looking so, how shall we say, boring. Here are a few I rounded up--and I need your opinion...

{first row: left - right | second row: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 | third row: left - right}

So, give it to me straight...if you've had any of the covers above:
did it do a good job of protecting your phone?
did it last longer than three months?

If you've found a cover elsewhere that works like a dream without looking like a phone from the mid-2000s, please bring me to the light ;) I need some color and personality back in my life!


P.S. See you all back here tomorrow for Friday's Fancies! I'm creating a Winter Wonderland look...don't forget that if you create a post, you get an extra entry in my giveaway for $100 to Local Hem!

50 comments:

  1. The Kate Spade hard cases are amazing! I've had mine for 6 months, and it's indestructible! Downside is that once it's on, it's on, and it's kind of a pain to take off. But for me, that works great because I'm clumsy, and I need a durable case! It hardly chips, the colors are vibrant, and I always get compliments!

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  2. Monogrammed otterbox! http://www.lipstickshades.com/search/71

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  3. Have you looked at Society6? I've seen a lot of bloggers with cases from that site - so many cute designs too!

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  4. I've had that leopard case from jcrew since August and its held up fine, but I'm pretty careful with my phone and its not the durable-feeling case I've had.

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    Replies
    1. Does it come around the front a little like the bumper or is it flush with the phone?

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  5. Oh I love this, I just got a new Iphone, such great covers!xXx

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  6. I just recently got an Otterbox and I got mine in pink and white. The colors are a little bright, but that's just for my taste. Have you looked at the other Otterbox cases? There i one called the commuter, I think, and it has a much sleeker design. Color choices are better too! xo, eliza

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  7. love the case mate covers with built in card slots - so useful!

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  8. I've heard really bad things about Society6 - one blogger wrote a review that hers chipped over and over again - steer clear of those!

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  9. I'm loving the ones with the MRA or RBB on them! But I personally will never stray from my Otterbox. After BARELY dropping my iPhone in September & cracking the screen & having to pay $200 to fix it, I decided it's not worth it anymore! Lol!! But if you decide to brave the wild... definitely those 2 are my fave! :)

    Nicole

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  10. I just got an iphone last month and haven't heard of the Otterbox, I may need to get one! Thanks for stopping by my blog! : ) Have a great day!

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  11. i'm surprised you dont have something a little more jazzy :) i like the leopard pink+ blue! bam! xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  12. I rely on inCase covers - but the two-piece one only! I drop my phone constantly and never had any damage. Not as many cute options, but they do have a few fun metallic and glittery options.

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  13. I have a custom made gray and white trellis case with a light pink monogram case that i found on etsy. i am obsessed! I love knowing i am the ONLY one who has my case :)

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  14. I was the same way, i got the otterbox to protect my iphone but it was so dull! I got a Lily Pulitzer case for mine, and her new designs come out in February! I also have a Kate Spade one, though I have had to take it back several times because it has cracked! But I am in love with the monogram ones!

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  15. Wait. You ran in the rain with your phone in an otterbox and it worked fine during the whole thing and afterwards? I'm sorry but I think you may have just sold me an otterbox...

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  16. thats exactly how I feel, when i first got the iphone everyone was like emily youre an idiot if you dont get the otterbox, but they are just do darn ugly...I went with kate spade but I am moving over to a monogramed one!

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  17. I've actually gone through three Kate Spade iPhone cases. Two of them were hard cases and they both cracked in the corners after I dropped them once. The soft case was great but it stretched out after only a month so my phone seemed to move around a lot. They're cute, but just alright in my opinion.

    I've bought a case from Marley Lilly and I thought that was great since she offers monogrammed cases (adorable!) with a tough case (durable!). Currently, the one I am using is from J. Crew and let me tell you, I am honestly so surprised (no offense to them!) at how great this thing is. The fit is so snug that I had a hard time getting it on my phone.

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  18. I've had the same case since 2010, and I'm actually pretty rough(dropping wise). I didn't end up in the rain, but I set in it rice for the night and all was well. I have a pink gummy like case. Love it. But I have been thinking about going over to the monogrammed.

    xoKylee

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  19. I may be in the minority here, but I really haven't had good luck with Kate Spade hard cases. I don't think they "snap" on well and I dropped my phone once at the gym and the case broke in a few places. I have a J.Crew one as well and I like it much better as it is slimmer and less bulky, but it is difficult to push the top button at first because it is covered by the case. I have been thinking about trying a Kate Spade silicon one next. ;)

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  20. While there are so many hard cases I love and want, I stick with a soft case (mine is Marc by Marc Jacobs). I had a hard Juicy case last year and dropped my phone- it smashed ths screen. Seemed like the hard case added to the impact. I spoke w/ a Verizon person when I replaced it, who recommended a soft case because it absorbs the impact more if you drop it. It's a touch choice...so many cute picks!

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  21. I used to have the hard Kate Spade case, and no complaints here except that it was pretty bulky, but if you're used to an Otterbox that's probably not an issue. I dropped it multiple times and the corners do chip a tiny bit, but not enough so that I felt as though I HAD to get a new one. I recently (about a month and a half ago) switched over the leopard J.Crew case, and I LOVE it. It's so much slimmer and it does fit the phone really well. (I've heard also that the silicone Kate Spade ones stretch out really easily). To be fair, I haven't dropped my phone since I've had this case on (oh god, knock on wood), which might be because I'm aware that it's not as protective as the Kate Spade hard one and am being extra careful subconsciously. Phew... my two cents! Hope it helps. :)

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  22. I have the leopard jcrew and i love it!

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  23. i have an otterbox too and i'm to scared to switch! haha

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  24. I am OBSESSED with my custom monogrammed Otterbox from Lipstick Shades! I was too afraid to put anything but an Otterbox on my phone, but really wanted something cute - voila!

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  25. Monogrammed Otterbox case http://www.lipstickshades.com/search/71

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  26. I have a Speck case now, which is going to need replacing. I read about a cover that is water proof that's similar to the indestructibleness of the Otterbox...

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  27. I also rock the Otterbox [in pink]. I always go for the more exciting, personality-obvious cases, BUT ..the significant other clearly doesn't trust me with valuable items and gave me no option with the case. Except if I want pink or black (the phone was a Christmas present, so I didn't give much push back). I like it, does its job ..but I do see a little bedazzling/painting in my future.

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  28. the jcrew cases are cute - but awful because they always leave a glare around photos when you use the flatch. i get all of my cases at these two places... super inexpensive so you can buy every color and change them out daily (yes, i would) :)

    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=elago+S4+Slim+fit+Case+for+AT%26T%2CSprint+and+Verizon+iphone4%2F4S&x=0&y=0

    http://www.idealaccessory.com/iphone-4

    xxoo...
    {a {little} dash of ash}

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  29. The monogrammed one wont give you any protection. I have a kate spade and a jcrew one and they have been great, and i drop my phone all the time.

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  30. i actually got my generic cases on accessorygeek.com for my htc evo and so far they've been great, survived dropping and all! they have a ton of cheap nice cases for all kinds of phones. i DIYed mine! :http://beautyandbeard.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-rainbow-polka-dot-phone-case.html

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  31. I don't actually have any good advice, since I'm basically living back in the 90's as far as technology goes, BUT I absolutely love a good monogram, and that hot pink and green case is just too cute to pass up!:)

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  32. I swear by the Otterbox. I dropped my husband's iphone off a 4th floor balcony onto a boardwalk when I was emptying sand out of our beach bag (oopsie), and it didn't even have a scratch on it! They come in a lot of different colors now!!

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  33. wish i could be of more help - i don't have a smart phone (sad face). but i doooo love the leopard print!!

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  34. marleylily.com
    they have monogrammed cases. I have the "tough case" for my iphone. love it.

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  35. I love that navy and pink leopard print case!! Get you a pretty one!! The main reason I wanted the IPhone was bc of the cover..lol It definitely shows off as an accessory ;)

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  36. I have the JCrew leopard one, and it's ok - actually just took it off for one I bought from Best Buy. I have the white iPhone though... it would def look better with the black. I'm TOTALLY swooning over the monogrammed OtterBoxes though. Just need to give in to the fact that they're 70 bucks!

    Can't wait to see what you pick!!
    xo

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  37. I have a monogrammed one (which I LOVE); however, I also bought the Kate Spade gold dot one because I just couldn't resist, and it is much more durable. Hard to take off so slightly a pain for annoying people like me who have two cases, but a great case! Can't wait to see what you decide! xo

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  38. Hi Alison!

    I have a hard Kate Spade case too and I love mine. Sometimes I drop it and sometimes the case snaps apart (I'm clumsy with my phone), but it doesn't break and it really protects the phone for the most part. The case snaps back together easily enough.

    Good luck with your decision-- they're all adorable!!

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  39. So happy you posted this...I feel the same way about my otter box. It is a love/hate relationship with it. Love it because without it my phone would be a mess and hate it because well to be honest it is kind of ugly. I am experimenting myself with phone cases...I'll let you know if any work out!

    http://thetruthaboutvinylandbikinitops.blogspot.com/

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  40. I have a Kate Spade one, and really like it! That DVF one is really cute, though!

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  41. I just ordered the Kate Spade polka dot one. You will not believe how ridiculously excited I am to get it.

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  42. I also suggest society6. It's insane.

    http://society6.com/cases?show=new

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  43. Confession: I haven't upgraded to the new iPhone only because I love my Kate Spade cover too much to give it up! Although that darling phone cover is making me rethink my position...

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  44. i love the horchow monogrammed ones!

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  45. I have that leopard J Crew case, love it! Need a monogram one!

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  46. Hey girl, I just got the J.Crew leather one for my husband and he loves it. I know it's on backordered online, but I really recommended it. It's sleek and not bulky at all.

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  47. lipstickshades monogrammed cases = bad quality, bad customer service and if you do order, when it gives you option of case color black or pink/white, DONT select pink/white if you have a white iphone. Case will come with hot pink sides that probably WONT match the colors you use for your monogramming. I did review my selection before ordering, but the sides of case were not CLEARLY shown, in my opinion.

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