Adam Doud/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. When Apple sent over review samples of its latest iPhone lineup, it also included some accessories in the box. Among these was its new crossbody strap, which basically turns your iPhone into a fashion accessory -- you know, even more than it already is. I have to admit, I was intrigued by the concept. The crossbody strap, which attaches to two lanyard holes in every iPhone 17 case this year, is made of fabric woven with magnets and has two adjustment buckles. When you move the buckles, the strap stays attached to itself magnetically to keep things nice and tidy. Also: I tested the iPhone Air for a week, and here's why 17 Pro Max users shouldn't sleep on it For context, I'm just barely on the right side of 50 years old and 300 pounds, so I'm guessing that I am not the target demographic for an accessory like this. Fashion is not in my list of priorities…at all. To be frank, it never has been. For this experiment, I wore the crossbody strap with the iPhone Air. It just seemed like these two were made for each other. Apple also sent the very basic bumper case, a polycarbonate bumper that runs along the periphery of the phone and attaches to the strap. The combination of the two seemed like a perfect fit, even if my wife commented that I looked like a suburban soccer mom wearing it. Here's how things went. What I liked Adam Doud/ZDNET As someone with a bad back and leg, I often walk with a cane, and this is especially true in airports. With one hand on a cane and the other on my luggage, it can be hard to present my boarding pass in the United App when called for. This was the area where the crossbody strap came in most handy. Rather than having to dig into my pants pocket, I was able to just grab the phone and present it as needed. Moreover, while riding in an airplane or car, it's nice to be able to just scoop up the phone and check it out whenever you want. It's a small thing, but I definitely dug the use cases as they presented themselves. Also: I tested the best iPhones: Should you buy the 17, Air, or Pro Max? Finally, while the strap is decidedly not for me, it is a nice fashion accessory that's well constructed and looks cute. Add in the iPhone at the end of it, and it's a beautiful combination that looks great on someone younger and skinnier than I. What could've been better Regardless of its look, the strap has some downsides. It's heavy -- notably, it's heavy enough to possibly drag the iPhone Air off of most tables. So it's a good idea to continue wearing it as much as possible. The time you'll be most likely to take it off is when you're sitting, because the strap can also snag on the backs and arms of chairs if you're not careful. Speaking of not being careful, I was fortunate that I managed to avoid sending the nonsense texts that my hip tapped out while the phone dangled by my side after I'd neglected to turn the screen off. This happened on more than a few occasions. A little vigilance will go a long way toward preventing this. Adam Doud/ZDNET Also, it's detachable -- but not terribly easy to detach. The magnetic enclosures are a bit stiff to get off. Plus, once you detach it, it's not trivial to store it anywhere. It feels like it was designed to be attached at all times, and that's a fair point. This becomes especially relevant when I put my phone into my phone holder on my bike. ZDNET's buying advice I totally get where Apple is going with this. Personally, I dig it, and I can see myself using it whenever I travel because the convenience is worth it. But I don't see myself using it on a regular basis beyond that circumstance. I just don't need the convenience it offers other than when I'm traveling, and to me it's not worth the cons -- namely, the dragging your phone off a table. The crossbody strap is a lot of extra to deal with in a situation where you're sitting at a table or a desk. Also: On hold? Your iPhone can listen to the call's music and wait for you - here's how The appeal is definitely there, but I'm just not the right demographic, sadly. Don't let that dissuade you. The convenience is pretty cool if you can pull off the look.