Are regular iPhone 5 cases protective?

Hi. So in December I got an iPhone 5 and my parents think that I'm going to drop it and destroy it (even though I have never broken a cell phone) and so they made me get an otterbox. I have had this same otterbox since December and I really want a cute regular case, like the Victoria secret pink ones, but my parents say that they don't protect the phone. I was just wondering if anyone here has an iPhone and uses regular cases(any cases, they don't have to be from vs) and finds them protective?

Not really. But there are some cases that have flaps and certain other more expensive ones that can do more protectiion

Well it is very easy to drop an iPhone but don't waste money looking for a cool looking case it better if you get one that protects you iPhone because i bought a iPhone case for my phone that just has designs and it doesn't do anything and DO NOT buy a bling one with diamonds or rhinestones all over it because it will lose a diamond or rhinestone every time you drop it

HA! Otterboxes are the worst! I can't make my phone function with one of them. I actually have used both a hybrid case (silicon + hard case) a wallet case AND a straight silicon case, my phone has taken a terrible beating from accidental drops out of my pocket to me stepping on them getting out of my bed after they fell and hit the floor, and each of my phones is in PERFECT shape.

Silicon cases work the best though, because they wrap the WHOLE way around the phone, creating a protective back, but also a bumper on the front, like these ones here

http://www.ebay.com/...0929131489

I find these adorable too.