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Need new wallet

Gigi

Veteran

Well, it finally happened...the leather wallet that I bought almost 20 years ago died. The zipper broke on the coin purse part. So now it's shopping time! Woo hoo!

I am not a purse person and don't know what to get. My last wallet was a combination thing, with a zippered pouch for cash, some slots for credit cards, and a place for my checkbook. The wallet was very fat due to my many credit cards (I'm sure no one else here can identify ), which meant that I never really considered getting a clutch, since the wallet wouldn't fit in it. So now I am wondering about splitting up the components of the wallet, which I guess would mean separate checkbook, separate coin purse, and separate credit card thingy. Then if I want to use a clutch sometime, I can just transfer over to it the components that I think I will use.

Anyway, I'm kind of out of my element here and could use some advice. Does my above thinking seem sound? What do you prefer for a wallet--a combination product like I had, or separate components? Any recommendations?

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

catgirl

Veteran

OMG, what a struggle this is! I sorted through a million yesterday at the Rack and walked away with nothing. Too big, too small, no pockets, too many pockets, difficult closures, cash won't fit, no ID pocket... My assistant kindly picked me up a $5 polka dot Kate Spade lookalike wristlet which I'm going to use for now. But who know something so basic could be so confusing?!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hahaha....I'm laughing because you sound just like me! I'll help you though.

I like a sturdy wallet. Feminine but not girly. I tend to notice other people's wallets when I'm standing in the checkout line and get a few laughs when a wallet doesn't match the woman's personality (or what I'm imagining it to be).

Here is what I look for:

1. I don't like zippered wallets. It probably because I like most things conventional. I have a fat wallet too. I like wallets with 3 partitions to neatly organize different denomination currency bills (the way they come in India, I use slot one for anything below a 50 note, slot 2 for 50s and 100s, and slot 3 for 500s and 1000s).

2. I like 4-8 card slots for my credit cards and membership/discount cards. Then one side slit for my ID - license and 1 more.

3. A zippered compartment for lose coins.

I have 3-4 wallets I interchange fairly regularly. They are the size of most clutches, I presume. And hence they don't fit into a clutch.

When I use a clutch, I slip a slim pouch into it with my wallet essentials (2 cards, an ID and some cash).

Image 1-3: My wallet. I've clicked images of it open as well.

Images 4-7: The slim blue pouch and how it fits inside a clutch. It has card slots and zippers to keep keys, cash, cards etc organized. It's slightly larger than the size of a passport.

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Anonymous

I am so with you here, Gigi! Wallet shopping is confusing, and so dependent on personality! (Manny, I *love* your little checkout game and am going to use it to entertain myself next time I'm in a queue!)

I gave up on the chequebook feature in my wallet as I realise I no longer write cheques while out and about, so that stays in my drawer. But for ages I still carried a long wallet. As you said, it doesn't fit in many bags. Now that I'm trying to swap out my bags more, I want it to be an easy switch, so I went looking for a wallet that wasn't too long but could still hold my phone, cash, credit cards and have a zip pocket for change. I found a Marc Jacobs colourblock one a couple of weeks ago at Saks Off Fifth. It's not as fun as my last one (a Radley Scottie one), but it's super functional. The phone pocket is a great feature, and I can now grab the whole thing for errands if I want. The only downside is I have to fold bills to get them to fit in the wallet.

I hope more manufacturers make wallets with places specifically designed for phones.

ETA: I realise you carry lots of credit cards, so my approach won't work for you. Having gone through the process of cancelling cards after losing my wallet, I don't keep many cards in my wallet anymore. I am hoping Apple Pay and other phone payment apps will be the way of the future

Murph11

Veteran

I purchased this Ted Baker beauty (in red) at NAS 2014 and have never loved a walled so much. It still looks brand new, and have used it as an evening bag (iPhone 6 fits) as well. I don't carry checks, but i just tucked a book and registry inside, and they would fit.

Ted Baker London Leather Matinee Wallet

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2

Glory

Veteran

My DH bought me a wallet a couple of years ago from Costco. I love it - mostly due to the size and how wonderful the zipper is. I cannot tolerate zippers that catch and find many do.

viva

Veteran

I've had a multicolored zippered Tory Burch Robinson wallet for a few years now. It's beautifully constructed and the zipper works really well. I think it has enough room for all your cards. I have really loved it.

But to be honest, now I want Murph's Ted Baker. It's so gorgeous and I love the clasp.

Tory Burch 'Robinson' Wallet

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0

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I've gone through quite a few wallets over the past decade or two, and have downsized over time. Right now, I use a tiny one-pocket wallet that holds all of my main cards. I wouldn't mind upgrading, but it's not a priority at the moment.

The larger wallets have the virtue of holding every card imaginable, but they are also heavy, and the added weight dragging my handbag down isn't worth it to me. Like purses, the trick is to focus on what you need more than what you think you might need. I like snaps and zippers, so long as they are easy to open/close. Pay attention to any resistance. Is the leather soft and pliable, or stiff? Will you mind breaking into it? Is the colour likely to transfer to your clothing, or handbag interior? Is the patent likely to crack? These are questions I ask myself when wallet shopping.

Diana

Veteran

I like small wallets, like pocket-sized. Mine is a red coach, about 4"x3", with a lengthwise bill slot (when opened up) and small coin pocket on the outside. Similar to this but without the flap:
http://www.coach.com/coach-des.....ll-wallets

I have to admit I don't understand the big checkbook sized wallets. Do you use your checkbook? I write one check a month (for my rent) and just do that at home.

Also, I never considered myself a wallet minimalist but apparently I am compared to many others. For the record, I carry 3 credit cards, bank card, 2 ID's, 3 insurance cards, a few loyalty/gift cards, subway card, and a bit of cash. I double up in most of my pockets and stick the rarely used ones in the back most pockets.

I think my next one is going to not have a coin purse. I use cash so rarely and tend to put all my coins (except quarters for laundry/parking) in the tip jar at the cafe.

JAileen

Veteran

I bought a new wallet a few months ago. Here are some pics of my new wallet and the old fat one. The new one is an Orla Kiely nylon zip around wallet. It fits easier in various handbags I use. Plus, owls.

Hmm, I'm not sure why the photos are so fuzzy. Here's the original post. The pictures are clearer there.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-new-phone

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I just got 2 Fossil wallets (same style) that will fit my smartphone (large Galaxy), a few credit cards, an inside zipper for cash, keys, etc. and an exterior zipper that can hold lip gloss. One is to match my gray/taupe bag and also will go with an ivory bag and a cognac bag I have, the other is a simple navy that will go with my new navy bag.

They are not designed to hold checks - I don't carry checks around these days, but they are more of a wristlet size so I can just grab it out of my larger handbag and go if I don't want to carry the larger bag.

Kate Spade New York 'cobble hill - small gina' leather tote

$298.00 $199.66

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7

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Vince Camuto Robyn Satchel

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Fossil Dawson Satchel

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3

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Consider a Furla from Last Call.

Keix

Veteran

I got this Kate Spade wallet last year and the functionality is near-perfect for me. I do have to fold bills in half, but I rarely use cash and it does have a coin divider so I'm OK with that. The wallet has 3 card slots, which I double up, as well as an outer zip pocket (where I store rarely used cards and my transit pass) and a large sidewall pocket for cash or receipts. The most important features, though: it comes with a wrist strap, so I can carry it to lunch at work (I also keep my Lactaid pills in my wallet), and my iPhone 5 fits!

I wouldn't mind another wallet to swap out occasionally, but I haven't found anything I like with this shape. It's like a continental-style zip wallet but slightly wider and shorter.

Kate Spade New York 'cedar street - jordie' zip around leather wallet

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Gigi

Veteran

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone. I am glad to know that I am not alone with feeling overwhelmed looking for another wallet. Thank you, Maneera and Jaileen, for uploading pics of your wallets! That helps. And thanks, everyone, for the recommendations! They were all so stylish.

I think that before I go shopping, I'm going to have to really sit down and think about what I need vs. what I *might* need (thanks for that, gradfashionista). I remember thinking about this kind of thing when I went shopping for my last purse. I didn't want it to get too big or heavy, so I purposely made it on the small side, but I can still carry what I absolutely must have. My current fat wallet is really heavy, which I dislike, so I need to find a way to pare it down.

I write fewer and fewer checks these days; it's a pretty rare event, other than what I do at home. So maybe I need to skip the checkbook but take only the check card, which I can use if I am in a pinch. And the myriad of lesser-used cards should probably just stay at home most of the time. Must think...

rabbit

Veteran

Good ideas in this thread, I like the idea of a wallet that holds a phone as long as you can get it out super quickly. I tend to carry a lot of cards because I'll end up needing the one I forgot to bring although I do go through and cull out the ones that haven't gotten used in the last months or the ones where you can just enter your phone number instead. I carry very little cash, but when you get change a zip pocket is necessary. I never carry a checkbook.

The flatter the better for fitting into clutches I think. My current wallet is too padded, so now I just carry around a card-holder in whatever bag I'm using that day.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wallet needs are so individual! My preferences are similar to Diana's. I got a Longchamp bifold maybe 2-3 years ago at a local boutique on a big sale and I love it. It's gotten better with age. It has the same configuration as this one, but it's burgundy with a snakeskin texture. I like something small that I can fit easily in a clutch or even in my pocket.

http://www.lyst.com/accessorie.....duck-blue/

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Staysfit

Veteran

Personally, I love a skinny lightweight leather wallet that can hold a lot. I purchased a Big Skinny brand red leather wallet three years ago and it has been the best. I like it better than my previous coach leather and cloth wallets because it's lightweight, holds more, and takes up less space. It has been very durable, and it still looks great after three years. I know it isn't a designer brand, but IMHO it's the best wallet I've owned.

Gigi

Veteran

Janet, your wallet is so cute! And it really fits your personal style.

Staysfit, I hadn't heard of Big Skinny. Thanks for the heads-up!

OK, back to the drawing board to determine what my real needs are here. I'm kind of excited to be paring things down. I carry SO MUCH in my wallet that I don't need, like gift cards from places when you return something and you get only store credit. I need to set those aside and just take them out when I'm going to those places. I know that there will probably be times where I stop by a store on the spur of the moment and don't have the gift cards because I'm no longer carting them around, but I can't be perfect all the time!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if this helps at all, but I have a little zippered pouch that holds coupons and those store-specific gift cards. I leave it in my car so that if I stop by one of those stores, I can grab the appropriate coupon/card without carrying all those extra cards around all the time. It helps keep my wallet under control.

Now, if only rebate issuers (and tax refund issuers!) would go back to sending checks instead of debit cards… I paid for something the other day with three different cards with $12 balances just to use them up.

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks, Janet. I hadn't thought about keeping those in the car. Another thing to ponder! I do like the idea of keeping the coupons and the gift cards together. I think I will try that.