How to Carry Your ID Badge Without Ruining Your Outfit
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Security badges are now part of office life for everyone from BigLaw associates to biotech researchers — but most badge solutions are weirdly designed for cargo pants and polos, not silk blouses and midi dresses. We haven’t discussed ID badge solutions in a while, so let’s hear it: how do you wear your work badge when your outfit doesn’t have pockets? Do you have a favorite lanyard, badge reel, magnet, or other workaround?
Chic Ways to Carry Your ID Badge (Especially if You Don't Have Pockets)
Lanyards
No, these aren't ideal — but they are practical. Polished options include leather holders from Leatherology, Coach, Maison de Sabre, Prada, Louis Vuitton, or Hermès. You can also find a lot of brightly colored ribbons and more on Etsy, as well as ones that look like gold necklaces. The pictured lanyard is $105 at Nordstrom; you can also find it at MaisondeSabre.com.
Bracelets For Your Access Badge
Bracelet-style badge holders can be handy if you want to stay hands-free without wearing a lanyard around your neck. The pictured coiled bracelet is a bestseller at Amazon (under $5), although it probably works best for lighter badges or keycards.
Carry a Leather Padfolio With You
Longtime readers know the office padfolio has always been one of my must-haves for the office — it's basically a notebook that zips closed… so you can keep a variety of things in it, including your ID badge. (I've always kept lip gloss, Post-it notes, tape flags, and more so they're accessible during meetings… it's also a discreet way to carry feminine products if you're away from your office for long periods.)
Smythson's beautiful padfolio is pictured above, but you can also find them at discount spots like Amazon, Target, or Walmart. If you want something monogrammed, in addition to Smythson check out Etsy, Leatherology, Levenger.
Wear a third piece with a pocket just for this purpose
A blazer or sweater jacket can solve a surprising number of workwear problems — including where to stash your badge. Patch pockets are usually functional, and many blazers also have hidden pockets that simply need to be opened by snipping the temporary stitching. (The pictured blazer with patch pockets is $399-$599 at MM.LaFleur.)
Magnetic Badge Holders
This is my preferred choice if it's just a nametag at a conference or whatnot. You can find magnetic holders that attach directly to clothing, as well as magnetic sleeves designed to keep a badge secure inside a pocket or tote. This holder from Amazon was recommended on Reddit as being a good option; if you want something even simpler you can get clear badge sleeves with magnets or even just the magnets.
Retractable Badge Reels.
These can be great if you're carrying a bag or have someplace else to clip the badge reel, and they're certainly affordable — you can buy some on Amazon for less than $5.
Readers, over to you — how do you wear ID badges with dresses or outfits that don't have pockets? Do you have any favorite lanyards? What other solutions have you found?
lots of women in my office carry a small pouch around during the day (like a plain leather clutch) to corral phone, badge, pen, etc. I see more of that + laptop than I do padfolios now.
Rainbow lanyard
I started a new job and unique to my position I have to carry three pouches of badges/IDs and my org requires them to be visible above the waist so I am resigned to lanyards. But my collection is heavy and I wish I could just put a clip with a retractable thread on my pants.