On Wallets

Some people that I know – both men and women – seem to love collecting wallets. I’ve never been a wallet hoarder myself. My vice has always been handbags! So imagine my surprise when I went to gather all of my various card holders and wallets, and realized that I actually had accumulated quite a few over the years. I gathered together my favorites and thought I would share my experiences with them.

From left to right, clockwise:

1. Louis Vuitton “Brazza” Wallet, $605 I got this many years ago in the classic Damier print, and it was only after the fact that I realized it was a men’s wallet. I really like this one because it holds a ton, is made out of Vuitton canvas which makes it virtually indestructible, and it just flips open. I’ve found that most women’s wallets that are checkbook style have some kind of a flap or clasp (see the Bearn below), and when I’m a hurry, sometimes it’s just easier to grab my cards without any fuss. This wallet has been abused and I still think it looks pretty good.

2. Hermes Bearn Wallet, $3000 (you can also usually find a good selection for less at Fashionphile). This Bearn is almost a decade old, and I think it looks pretty nice! I found it when Hermes was doing a big release for Turquoise (since then, they’ve done another big Turquoise push, just last year). The color just called to me. My Bearn is made out of Chevre leather, and has a gusset which I’d recommend for extra space, though it does cost more. If you like your wallets to be very sturdy, I might recommend choosing Epsom leather instead of Chevre – while I love the feel of Chevre, my wallet has definitely gotten dinged and banged up over the years, and I think Epsom would have held up better. I had to send this one to the Hermes “Spa” and $250 later, don’t feel like much was really done except for a repaired stitch or two.

3. Comme des Garcons French Wallet, $215. I’m a huge fan of these wallets! They’re really well priced, the designs are cool, and the leather is super sturdy. Because this one was fairly inexpensive, I’m not careful at all with how I’ve handled it – it’s been dropped on the pavement, scratched, and majorly banged around. And still looks great. It holds a good amount of cards, my cash, and the coin pocket is very well designed. I always recommend this wallet to those looking for a nice one at any price point – and the fact that this is only $215 is just icing on the cake.

4. Hermes Silk In Wallet, $760. This is my current wallet, since I got it earlier this year. And so far, I’m really liking it. The leather wears nicely (Epsom) and I love looking at the silk lining inside, its like a little surprise. The silk has worn very well – I’m not careful at all and am constantly shoving cards and cash, and it still looks pristine, and completely clean. I suspect the weak point on this wallet is actually the silk tab pull for the zip, since that’s the only silk part that’s constantly exposed outside, and its constantly getting pawed at/used. Worse case scenario, I think that silk pull could easily be replaced by Hermes, or pulled off entirely since there’s a perfectly functional silver zipper underneath. The price is high but considered reasonable for Hermes, so I would definitely recommend this wallet for anybody looking for a beautiful version from Hermes that will last through reasonable wear and tear.

5. Louis Vuitton Key Pouch, $390 . This is an oldie but goodie, which I haven’t used in a while. However, this is one of my favorite small accessories that Louis Vuitton makes. Its incredibly useful. It fits a bunch of cards both inside and out, and has a zip top for bills/cash, as well as an open pocket for cards that you need to access often. I used to stick my Oyster Card in the open pocket when I worked for awhile in London, and simply swiped the entire pouch over the reader without having to take my card out. Also, the keychain attachment is great – tons of open totes have little D-rings which this keychain attaches easily to, which both keeps your money/cards more secure, and makes it super easy to find and access. One of my favorites.

6. Hermes Citizen Twill Card Holder, $400. Another accessory originally intended for men, which I’ve co-opted for myself. I like this sleek little card case a lot – its just meant to fit your necessary cards (there’s four slots), and has an open slit in the middle which I usually stick a few bills into. There’s no spot for coins. I originally bought this card holder to use in my clutches and while traveling, and its fulfilled its function well. Plus, the inside pocket and the slots are all lined with a neutral patterned silk (this is for men, after all) – its a nice detail which is what drew me to the holder in the first place. I’d recommend this item for anybody looking for a sleek little card holder.

 

What are some of your favorite wallets and card holders? Do you ever shop for them in the men’s section?