That Dapper Chap: iphone case

Craig of That Dapper Chap reviews iPhone cases available from The WT Factory Shop for business and for working out.

Mobile phones are everywhere, every one has one and they all look the same. So, how do you make yours stand out? How do you inject some of your style into your accessory and give it some personality? With a cool case, that's how!

That Dapper Chap with That Dapper Kit

The Lux Box Case, a classy edition to your iPhone

The Wonderful Things Factory have a range of phone cases to suit every aspect of your lifestyle. I opted for the real wood veneer case priced at £38.00 ($55.00 or 49Euro) it's a good price for a classy piece of kit. It fits like a glove and looks really sharp and sophisticated.

My own case adds interest and personality to my phone

The wooden veneer Lux Box Case

The team really liked this case. "it's unusual to have a natural product like wood" said katy. Sam commented that "It's really classy compared to a lot of tacky plastic cases that are out there, with cartoon characters and the like. This is a very grown up case"

The case is relatively easy to remove and replace when you need to, with a bit of practice. It's a very snug fit so it does take a bit of work to understand the best way to remove it. I find that taking the top left corner out followed by the right corner works, you can then slide the phone out. It clips back in super easy.
You might ask why you'd need to remove the phone from the case, well I'm about to explain!

If you're a runner like me or you go to the gym and record your workouts on the various Apps there are, you're going to need your phone. This is where the SlimClip case comes in. Okay, it's not flashy and it isn't going to win any prizes for materials or aesthetics. But what it will win points for is practicality.

Available in a variety of colours this handy case clips right onto your shorts and you're good to go. Priced at £27.00 ($40.00 or 36Euro) it's handy to have around. When I run I use the Nike Running app and always held my phone in my hand while running. I was always worried about tripping and either dropping my phone or simply smashing it on the ground as I attempted to break my fall. Now I don't have to worry!

Super slim and simple, the SlimClip Case

Clipped on and ready to run. SlimClip stays in place

The brand claim that you can 'Run, Bike, Hike & workout' I wouldn't recommend swimming however;). I was a bit dubious about it's ability to remain in place but I found that it you tie your shorts well and then clip the case on, it won't move. The first time I used it I didn't tie my shorts and simply relied on the elastic. Bad move! The phone bounced around and my shorts did start to fall down. Not something you want!

Workout, hike, run and bike with SlimClip

FIND WONDERFUL THINGS FACTORY

That Dapper Chap opens the doors to leather crafters The Kjøre Project and reviews the best selling leather iPhone Case Wallet.

One of Kjore Projects leather bags

Read on for a 10% discount for That dapper Chap readers.

There is nothing that speaks quality more than a finely handcrafted leather accessory so I was pleased when I was contacted by Luca at The Kjøre Project to discuss his products.

Who are Kjøre Project?

Initially focussing on footwear, its been fifty years since the business began. As always things evolve and now a small group of the design team have founded kjøre project, creating a new line of accessories in a Nordic style, using the softest leather.

The phone/cards clutch wallet €65

The different colours available in the phone/cards clutch wallet €65

Kjøre project strives to create modern products that respect the past. All the styles in the heritage collection are designed and built just as they were fifty, sixty and even over eighty years ago and are all made using premium leather and are totally handcrafted.

The Kjøre Project iPad case €65-€85

A well crafted leather key chain €30

The leather survey backpack €349

The Leather

Kjøre Project only use the finest quality leather from New Zealand and Europe. Their tanning process is slow and depends on the skill and artistry of the tanners. It is the careful attention of these artisans and their refusal to compromise on materials which achieves such beautiful results.

The quality starts with the tanning process

Their handling and nurturing of the leather means that it doesn't peel or crack and develops its own patina, changing gradually in appearance and taking on and individual character.

The patina builds on a year old product making it truly unique

The scars, scratches, veins and wrinkles that give each piece in the collection makes it unique. Minor imperfections are not covered or removed as the guys at Kjøre Project feel this adds character and retains the natural integrity of the material.

The Workshop

The crafts people at Kjøre Project have access to all the machinery they may need at the leather factory but choose to make each piece by hand. In an age when items are manufactured in bulk overseas at little cost and little attention to detail this is a real selling point.

A nod to the past and the Kjøre heritage with this vintage sewing machine

Quality products being created by hand+

The Product Review

This product review focusses solely on the leather phone/card clutch wallet.

My new favorite item

Product

While Kjøre Project produce a number of products from wallets, Ipad cases, bags and great accessories for the avid cyclist this product review is all about the phone/cards clutch wallet.

Made in Italy from top quality leather the items is entirely hand made which gives it a uniqueness that other products miss. It has 4 pockets on the front to hold your phone and cards and a sturdy zip which opens one long and one short side which gives ample access to your notes, coins and whatever else you may wish to store in it.

My wallet, easy to use and comfortable in the hand

With the largest version (suitable for the iPhone 6) measuring 15x9cm its a sensibly sized item which you can hold or just as easily place in your bag.

The sturdy top quality zip

The zip is metal and very firm so the company have added a handy thumb hold to use when opening it which is a great little detail.

Price

At €65 (£51) for the large phone/cards clutch wallet, these items are not cheap. They are at gift level so if you're a guy like me on a budget put one on your Christmas list.

Don't forget that this is all handmade high quality leather so you do get what you pay for.

Ready for whatever the day holds

Packaging & Presentation

The wallet arrived quickly and was packed in its own little dust bag and then popped into a Jiffy bag. At €65 it would have been nice to have a gift box too as it would have added to that quality feel and I think Kjøre may have missed a trick here.

The white printed dust bag

Performance

This is a nice little item. It feels great in the hand and the leather is very soft and tactile. Its does exactly what it is intended to do with simple design and great quality materials.

I was initially worried that if I was walking with the wallet in my hand that my phone may slip out and give me that embarrassing 'my-phone-has-just-smashed-into-a-million-pieces-on-the-floor' moment but it is perfectly cosy in its little pocket and even when I tipped it upside down and shook it, it didn't fall out.

The Limited Edition Ostritch Leather Wallet €79

Pertinency

Okay, these are not the most macho of items, if you're a guy who works on a construction site and drinks a fill of beer at lunchtime over a cheese sandwich, this may not be for you.

It is a very European concept for guys to hold a wallet in the same way a lady may hold a clutch bag. Guys in the UK and US are slowly coming around to this new, a-sexual, approach to carrying your daily items. Outside of France or Italy you may get a strange look or comment every now and again but if you want to be a Shepherd rather than the sheep do it, its time for change.

The limited edition Deer skin wallet €129

Pro’s & Con’s

Neat, small and well made and nice to the touch the iPhone/cards clutch wallet is a nice little product.

The only thing I would change is to include a gift box as it is a higher-end product and I would expect one, particularly as these items make great gifts.

The clutch wallet in Buffalo leather €60

People

This is a new item to most people in the UK and their initial thoughts were that they didn't understand the concept. Once I explained and showed them how to use it they came around to the idea and made some very complimentary comments.

They liked the feel or the wallet and the softness of the leather. They also commented of the quality and felt this was very high.

Précis

Overall I like the item, it's very handy, well made and very practical. The colour range and different types of leather give a good choice to the buyer.

Kjøre fan and blogger Nicola Radano of Me, Myself & I with his laptop case

Reader Discount

Take advantage of a 10% discount by entering 'dapper' at the checkout. When you do, please post a picture to Instagram and tag @thatdapperchap and @kjoreproject