At a recent preview for Banana Republic’s Fall/Winter 2012-2013 pieces, I spotted this very interesting accessory.  What I originally thought was a wallet is actually not – or at least, not exactly one.  Of course, I should have figured it out since it was placed with iPad cases rather than bags.  It is, in fact, a phone case – made to fit the iPhone 4 or 4S  –  with space for your credit cards.  More accurately, it’s a phone holder, since you aren’t exactly going to have a conversation with someone with a case that also has a flap, unless you’re going to use an ear piece.  Otherwise, you’re supposed to take the phone out of the case when you answer it.

I do think it’s an interesting piece, even though it can be a little clumsy to use.  I’m also worried about how well this wone case is going to do when the new iPhone launches. While I realize that anyone with a 4S will likely still have the 4S when the new phone launches, the new one is rumoured to be bigger – similar to the size of most Androids at 4 or 4.3″ and also thinner.  This means that the case will not fit the new phones.  Of course, it’s also possible that these samples aren’t going to be the only ones produced.  We could possibly see cases that would fit the bigger size at a later date – the launch probably won’t happen until October and even if it WERE coming earlier, it’s unlikely that Banana Republic would be showing the bigger sizes to media, who were taking pictures and Tweeting the products.

What do you think of this case?  Something that you’d be considering when it comes out later this year?  Or will you pass it up for a more “traditional” looking case?