Pocket belts: a practical guide for festivals, travel and everyday use

A pocket belt is a hands-free way to carry what matters — phone, cards, passport — while adding structure to your look. Ours are handmade in Bali from hard-wearing cotton twill and up-cycled details, and several styles convert from hip to cross-body so you can move from a gig to check-in without changing bags. Below you’ll find how to wear them, choose the right size, and care for them so they last. 

What to look for in a good pocket belt

Useful pocketing comes first: separate spaces for screen, keys and cash, with secure closures (zips or snaps) and, where you need it, a discreet compartment. Cotton twill and waxed finishes shrug off daily wear, and custom hardware keeps everything locked in place — especially when you’re dancing or cycling. Then look for the details that make it liveable: a soft lining so your phone doesn’t scratch, a zipped pocket that sits flat against the body for valuables, and a main compartment deep enough to take a larger phone with a case. Reinforced stitching at stress points prevents sagging, while a broader strap spreads the load so the belt won’t bounce as you move.
If you plan to switch between hip and cross-body, prioritise a generous adjustment range and a buckle you can operate one-handed. Breathable natural fibres feel better against the skin in summer, while a light wax finish helps the fabric shed a shower without feeling plasticky. Finally, small utilities — a D-ring for a clip, a key leash, a hidden card sleeve — turn a pocket belt from an accessory into kit you’ll actually rely on.

How Psylo builds them 

The Vmix T is a compact utility belt with five compartments, including a concealed zipped pocket and a small “secret” one; lengths are adjustable and the styling is finished with up-cycled inner-tube details.

The Aqua Vmix is a waxed-cotton design that shifts from hip to shoulder with three fully lined pockets and a secure back pocket.

The Travel Belt keeps a slimmer profile with a main zip pocket, a medium pocket, a hidden zipped back pocket and a tiny secret compartment. 

Fit & sizing

Most belts are OS or come in two lengths: Size 1 ≈ 115 cm (fits waists ~36–42) and Size 2 ≈ 125 cm (fits ~42–48). Measure where you’ll actually wear it (high waist or high-hip over layers), then match to the Belts Size Guide.

How to wear — hip and cross-body, in practice

On the hips, sit the belt on your hip bones and tighten until it’s snug; keep the phone in a zipped pocket and keys away from the screen. For cross-body, extend the strap, swing the pockets to rib or high-hip height, then re-tighten so it won’t bounce when you move. Festivals and airports both welcome compact bags in most cases — be ready to remove the belt at security. (Always check local rules.)

Care that extends lifespan

Treat pocket belts like the rest of our fabrics: wash cold (max 30 °C), dry in the shade, avoid bleach and dry-cleaning. Waxed cotton benefits from gentle brushing; re-wax if you want to keep the water-shedding finish season after season.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a pocket belt and a belt bag?
A pocket belt is built like a belt with integrated pockets; a belt bag (or bum bag/fanny pack) is a pouch on a strap. Our pocket belts keep a low profile and distribute weight across the waist.

Can I wear it cross-body?
Yes — several models, like Aqua Vmix, adjust from hip to shoulder with secure zipped pockets.

How do sizes work?
OS fits most; otherwise choose Size 1 (≈115 cm) or Size 2 (≈125 cm) from the Belts Size Guide.

How should I wash it?
Cold wash up to 30 °C, then dry in the shade; avoid bleach/dry-cleaning. Learn more