Cleo Phone Bag

Cleo was designed for everyday life — for the moments when you want to keep your phone close without carrying a full bag. It’s a petite, long rectangular leather phone bag that does exactly what it needs to do, without unnecessary detail.

Clean in shape and considered in detail, Cleo comfortably holds a smartphone along with a few small essentials like cards and loose change. The zip opening expands at the top, making it easy to access your phone while keeping everything secure when worn.

Cleo can be worn crossbody or on the shoulder using the slim adjustable strap, or secured comfortably around the waist for hands-free ease. Finished with our embossed brass Forage tag on the front, it’s a simple, functional design made to fit seamlessly into daily life.

Storage

When opened, Cleo expands in a fan shape to reveal three internal compartments, making it easy to see and reach everything inside. The central pocket is designed to hold a smartphone and zips fully closed for added security, while the two outer compartments each feature four card slots, giving space for up to eight cards in total. A magnetic popper closure keeps the bag neatly closed when worn, with antique brass hardware used throughout.

Specifications

• Adjustable strap length: up to 145cm, suitable for crossbody, shoulder wear, or as a waist strap

• Magnetic popper closure

• Fan-style opening revealing three internal compartments

• Central zipped pocket designed to hold a smartphone securely

• Two outer compartments with 8 total credit card slots (4 on each side)

• Antique brass finish on all hardware

Measurements

• Internal pockets: 3 compartments, each approximately 16cm × 9cm

• Pocket openings expand up to 8cm at the top for easy visibility and access

• Outside bag dimensions: 20cm × 10cm × 5cm

Made in small batches

As with all Forage pieces, much of the leather we use is sourced as surplus to help reduce waste. This means some skins may carry small cosmetic blemishes or surface variations, which are a natural part of working with surplus leather. These subtle differences are part of what makes each piece unique, and over time the leather will soften, wear in, and develop a beautiful patina with use.

Our belt bags are designed for bold living - whether you’re hiking trails, dancing at festivals, or just navigating everyday adventures. And with the right care, they’ll be with you for years (and stories) to come.

Each one is made with durable materials and hard-wearing construction, but like all well-loved items, they’ll last longer with a little attention now and then. This guide will help you keep your bag looking great, functioning well, and ageing beautifully.

A few golden rules before we begin:

• Don’t overstuff the pockets - as tempting as it is. It puts unnecessary strain on the stitching and can warp the shape over time.

• Keep hardware dry. All our bags feature metal rivets and hardware. While they’re tough, moisture and chemicals can cause tarnishing or rust over time, so avoid getting them wet or exposing them to lotions, perfumes, or cleaning sprays.

1. Leather

Leather is one of our favourite materials to work with - not just for its strength and flexibility, but because it ages with character, developing a rich patina and soft feel that gets better with every wear.

• Clean gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth. If needed, use a small amount of leather-specific cleaner - but always patch test first.

• Avoid soaking or scrubbing leather. Let it dry naturally away from direct heat or sunlight.

• If it starts to feel dry, apply a leather balm or conditioner sparingly.

• Scratches and scuffs? Often they can be gently buffed out with your fingers or a soft cloth, thanks to the natural oils in the leather.

• Most importantly: leather can always be repaired - it’s one of its best qualities. Don’t be afraid to give it some TLC or hand it over to a local specialist for a refresh.

2. Vegan Leather

Our vegan leather bags are made from a durable coated fabric with a smooth, leather-like finish. While they’re designed to be tough, they do need a gentler approach than real leather.

• Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth - warm water is best.

• Avoid harsh cleaning sprays, alcohol, or chemical solvents, which can crack or dry out the surface. Keep it dry and out of direct sunlight. 

• Don’t use heat or hairdryers to dry vegan leather if it gets wet - just let it air dry.

• Store it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight to avoid fading or warping.

Treat it well, and your vegan leather bag will keep its shape and finish beautifully over time.

A note on new-bag smell:
Some vegan leather bags may have a bit of a scent when they’re freshly made - that’s just the materials settling and isn’t harmful. The smell will naturally fade with time and wear. If it bothers you, just leave your bag out to air in a well-ventilated space (out of direct sunlight), and it should mellow out quickly.

3. Canvas

Canvas is a brilliant choice for everyday wear - it’s strong, structured, and naturally breathable. But like any fabric, it benefits from a bit of mindful cleaning.

• Gently wipe down with a soft, damp cloth to remove surface marks.

• For deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water and a tiny amount of mild soap. Blot - don’t rub - and avoid soaking.

• Let it air dry completely before wearing or storing.

• If your canvas gets dusty or sandy, a soft brush can help clean it up before wiping.

Avoid strong detergents, scrubbing, or machine washing to keep the fibres intact and the structure strong.

Repairs

We don’t offer repairs ourselves - but the good news is, you don’t need to send your bag away for weeks or pay premium prices. Many small local tailors and alteration shops are skilled in exactly this kind of repair work, and can bring a tired or damaged bag back to life with care and precision. It’s often more affordable than you’d expect, and it’s a great way to support local craftsmanship.

Belt Clips

When we first started making belt bags, we used a traditional buckle and eyelet fastening. But over time, we found that the belt strap material would stretch, the holes would widen, and the metal eyelets would sometimes pop out - making repairs fiddly and often requiring a specialist.

So we designed something better.

Our clip and ring fastening means there are no eyelets to tear, no buckles to break, and nothing that requires tailoring tools or leatherworking to fix. It's strong, secure, and - best of all - easy to replace if needed.

If your clip ever fails, we offer replacement clips at cost price on our website. Just slide the old clip off, thread on the new one, and your bag is good to go - complete with that beautiful worn-in look that only comes with time.

Waterproofing

We don’t use any waterproofing treatments on our bags - many of our customers prefer the natural finish and patina that comes with wear. That said, some customers have chosen to waterproof their bags themselves, particularly for leather and canvas styles.

While we can’t recommend specific brands or guarantee how treatments will affect the materials, it’s something you may wish to explore. If you go that route, we suggest patch testing on a hidden area first, and always choosing products designed for the specific material your bag is made from.

If you have any other questions or need help choosing the right care method for your bag, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

Here’s to many more adventures together.

🌿