Beaded Crossbody Lanyards

A strap that is also jewellery

A beaded crossbody lanyard is a strap of beads on a strong cord, worn over one shoulder and across the body so the phone hangs at the opposite hip. Some are beaded the whole length; others have plain cord at the back and beads at the front, where they are seen. They are the most decorative kind of crossbody strap, and they go well with charms: a strawberry, a butterfly or a letter can hang from the same point.

Beaded straps long enough to wear across the body are also filed among the beaded phone charms.

How to choose a beaded strap

• Length. Many beaded straps are a fixed length, so check before you buy. Hold a piece of string where you want the top of the phone to sit, take it over the opposite shoulder and back to the same point, and compare that with the length on the product page.
• Weight. Beads are heavier than cord. Acrylic beads are light; glass and crystal beads weigh more. On a strap worn all day, a lighter bead is more comfortable.
• Metal parts. The NHS lists nickel in jewellery as a common cause of contact dermatitis, an itchy skin reaction. If cheap jewellery has ever made your skin red, wear the strap over clothes, or choose one with no metal against the skin.
• The fixing. Most phones have no strap hole, so a strap needs something to fix to. A lanyard patch sits between the phone and its case with a loop out through the opening at the charging port, and cases with lanyard holes take a strap with nothing in between.

Looking after a beaded strap

Wipe beads with a soft cloth rather than soaking the strap, and dry it straight away if it gets wet. Check the clasp and the cord where it meets the phone every few weeks, because cord wears fastest where it rubs on a ring.

Questions people ask about beaded crossbody lanyards

Is a beaded strap strong enough to carry a phone?

A well-made one is, but the weak points are the clasp and the place it fixes to the phone. Give the strap a firm tug over something soft after fitting it, and check both now and then.

Can I make my own?

Yes, on non-stretch nylon or polyester cord rather than elastic, because the strap carries the phone's whole weight. The guide to making a phone charm explains it, and DIY charm kits hold the beads.

Is a beaded strap safe around children?

Keep it away from young children. The NHS warns that babies and toddlers can choke on small objects such as beads, and that cords can wrap round a young child's neck.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Beaded phone charms
• Adjustable crossbody lanyards
• Braided crossbody lanyards
• Chain crossbody lanyards
• Pearl phone charms
• DIY charm kits
• Guide: Crossbody phone lanyards: how to choose and fit one