Next Fashion Trend: Phabulous Phony Pockets?

That may be the modern-day equivalent of the famous quip, thanks to the arrival of Apple's 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.

With its increased size and flexibility, the device not only has kicked off the "Bendgate" scandal, but also may be helping to start a new fashion trend.

American Eagle, Levi's, L.L.Bean, J.Crew, Lee Jeans and Uniqlo are among the brands that have admitted they're now reconsidering pocket size in light of the growing phablet trend, according to Mashable.

"It's something we're always looking into," Uniqlo spokesperson Eileen McMaster told TechNewsWorld. "Uniqlo is very much about making sure clothes are comfortable. I'm sure we will address this at some point."

Similarly, "we love Apple, and we love Steve Jobs," said Jonathan Cheung, head of global design for Levi's. "Without being iPhone 6-specific, our mantra -- like Steve's -- will always be to design products that make people's lives a little better."

The Bend Tests

Bendgate arose soon after last month's release of the iPhone 6 Plus, when some users discovered that keeping the device stored in the pockets of snugly fitting pants could distort its shape -- permanently.

A "bend test" demonstration posted soon afterward on YouTube quickly went viral.

Phablet Support

"Many pants that are already on the market can support the increased size of a phablet," independent mobility analyst Mike Morgan told TechNewsWorld.

"As a phablet user for three years now, I can confirm this is true -- though sitting down still requires me to remove the device from my pocket," Morgan added. "In practice, I have resorted to keeping my device on an inside coat pocket or my front shirt pocket, when this option is available. These solutions have worked for me and my use of the Galaxy Note series, and I am sure they will also work for the iPhone 6 Plus device."
Many fashion designers likely will consider using "phablet support" as a niche feature for niche clothing and accessory solutions, Morgan predicted.

Prodigious Pockets

Clothing brands "ultimately don't really have a choice but to develop larger pockets," Thomas McCourtie, a research analyst for mobile devices with ABI Research, told TechNewsWorld. "It's very possible that fashion brands will begin developing items of clothing with bigger pockets, simply to accommodate the size of phones we commonly use."

Of course, brands will have to consider whether they can accommodate bigger pockets without compromising their brand, look or style, Morgan pointed out.

Some items simply have no place for most phones.

"Think of the increasing uptake of yoga pants or skinny jeans," Morgan said. "To make the space for these devices would fundamentally ruin what their fashion is trying to convey."

Few consumers are likely to change their wardrobes just to accommodate a handset, he added. "In the end, I think that user behavior will change more than fashion will."

-TechNewsWorld