Dressing a Cell Phone

It's back to school time and you it seems you can't get away from the advertisements for all the latest back to school fashions. Seems the '80's are back in style. In a few weeks when the kids go back to school not only will they be choosing the latest styles to dress themselves, they'll also be choosing the latest styles to dress their cell phones – something no kid in the '80's ever had to worry about.

Here's an overview of the latest and greatest accessories to cover a cell phone:

Face Plates – A face plate is a molded plastic piece that fits over the face of a phone. Its purpose is to personalize a phone with the users' own style while protecting the face from scratches and other damages. Most cell phone companies design face plates to fit their individual phones. They are inexpensive, usually starting at under $10.

Skins – A cell phone skin is a piece of stretchy material that fits over the entire phone tightly. There are cut outs in the skin for the phone's display and antenna. There are even some websites that allow you upload a favorite photo, and the photo can be put onto a skin. Like a face plate, they are mean to show off a user's style while protecting the cell phone from damage. Many skins are sold for under $5.

Bling – There is now bling, jewelry, which is sold to decorate phones. Crystals, rhinestones, fake diamonds and other sparkly gems can be bought to stick onto a cell phone. There are even companies that will create custom designs and put them onto a cell phone for customers. The cost for bling varies from a few dollars for a do-it-yourself kit to much more for custom creations.

Charms – Charms hang from cell phones. They come in a variety of styles from jewels to tiny stuffed animals. Flashing charms even flash when a call comes in. Charms start at under $5.

Plush Covers – Plush covers are stuffed covers that generally come in animal or sports styles. They are definitely for the younger cell phone crowd. Most plush covers sell for around $10.

Kangaroo Pouches – Kangaroo pouches are very small cell phone bags that fit most cell phones. They look like a tiny purse with a strap. The strap can be attached to a long necklace, onto the strap of an actual purse, onto a belt loop or onto an arm with an armband. They come in a variety of styles and start around $15.

Cases – Cell phone cases are leather or plastic cases that fit over a cell phone to protect it from damage. They range from subtle black leather cases to bright cases with pictures of Disney characters or on them. They vary greatly in price.