Are cute iphone cases protective?

I'm getting an Iphone 5 and i want a cute fashion case like the ones on instagram and tumblr but i'm afraid that it won't be protective and it will break my phone if i drop it. I'm considering getting an otterbox but i really dislike their look and all the iphone 5 colors are really ugly plus they are very expensive and big. Do the regular cases protect your phone?

Cute or not, make sure the case can absorb shock in case you drop the phone