Cover Up

Let’s face it. When you get a guy’s number and start typing that first text, if your “send” button doesn’t turn blue within the first five seconds, your heart sinks a little. These days, it seems like everyone in gay New York has an iPhone. And even though you can actually get that broken iPhone screen replaced now (instead of having to buy a whole new phone), the hefty price tag ($149) means you should still invest in a protective case—even if a shattered screen is kinda cool. Where to go to get yourself the kind of iPhone case you’re looking for? We found five gay and gay-friendly spots with a selection that’ll satisfy every type of iPhone wielding ’mo.

Looking to wow your pals at Westgay on Tuesday night—or maybe you want to add a bit of flair to your otherwise dull iPhone? Patricia Field (306 Bowery, PatriciaField.com) has a funky selection of iPhone 4 and 5 cases in a wide range of designs (Rhinestone Pirate Skull and Sultry Marilyn are two of our faves)—and prices ($4 to $40).

If you’re looking for a serviceable-but-still-stylish phone case, check out J. Crew’s men’s shop (484 Broadway, JCrew.com) or gay go-to Hell’s Kitchen spot Tagg (720 Ninth Ave, TaggStore.com). “We have one that looks like a wood grain and one that’s all brown leather and a couple that are colored,” says sales associate Allen of J. Crew’s line of covers. At Tagg you’ll find a similar line of wooden iPhone 4 and 5 cases. “We also have some Keith Harring ones,” says sales associate Mark. At Tagg prices range from $28 to $60, and J. Crew’s cases run from $20 to $42.

Whether it’s a classic painting or a post-modern design, the MoMA Design Store (81 Spring St, MomaStore.org) has what you’re looking for. “We have graffiti New York, we have The Scream by Edvard Munch,” explains sales associate Phecla. Cases run from$18 to $40, but there is currently a sale on iPhone cases that have made some as cheap as $5.95.

FOR THE WIDEST VARIETY of available cases, there’s no better place than one of the Manhattan’s five Apple Stores (401 W 14th St, 103 Prince St, 1981 Broadway, 45 Grand Central Terminal, 767 Fifth Ave, apple.com). Prices range from $15 to $150—for the Michael Kors Crossbody handbag case for bougie bois.