The days of carrying cold hard cash are behind us, right?
Doesn’t everyone just use their card? Well, no!
As it happens, 42% of people carry at least $40 with them at all times; 17% carry between $100 and $199!
Clearly, cash still has an important place in our pockets. The real question is how to find the perfect wallet to carry it in.
Indeed, wallets are an essential item for any self-respecting person to carry. It holds a permanent place in the “wallet, phone, keys” trifecta of checks to perform before leaving the house!
Likewise, aside from their practical functionality, the right wallet looks and feels great too. It’s perfectly suited to your requirements and is a stylish addition to your daily get-up.
Simply, finding the ideal wallet can make all the difference to your day. But with thousands of options out there, how do you decide which one to buy? We want to help.
Keep reading to discover some top tips for choosing the perfect wallet for you.
1. Keep it Simple
The best wallets need no bells, whistles or gizmos. In fact, the simpler the better.
Nobody enjoys getting to the checkout at the store and fumbling around to find their cash. All those extra pockets and clasps can get in the way. Clumsy fingers struggle to navigate the myriad compartments.
Minimalist-style wallets remove the struggle. They’re sleek, stylish, no-thrills money and card-holders that get the job done without the hassle.
Likewise, simple styling adds to the wallet’s versatility. It becomes suitable for a wide range of events and situations. From formal gatherings to casual affairs, there’s no need to swap your wallet for another.
Keep simplicity at the core in every way possible: a simple shape, monotone colors, and minimal compartments. This will guarantee a perfect blend of functionality and fashion.
It also makes for a top gift for a sophisticated gentleman!
2. Prioritize Size
Size is another primary factor to think about when you’re choosing your wallet.
Let’s face it, nobody wants an oversized wallet in their pocket. It’s uncomfortable, impractical, and makes carrying it around feel like a chore! Fat, bulging wallets tend to look as bad as they feel too.
You want to find a wallet that slips perfectly into your pockets.
It’s often tempting to choose the biggest wallet possible. After all, your current wallet is bursting at the seams. You’ve got a lot to carry! Surely, a larger wallet is essential for accommodating those needs?
That’s a logical assumption. However, in truth, we could all do with downsizing! Try taking everything out of your current wallet. Chances are there’s a host of old credit cards, expired gift cards, receipts and random coins that you no longer need.
Taking them out and pinpointing the essentials reveals exactly what belongs in your new wallet. This ensures you select the right size.
3. Select the Style
Wallets come in all shapes and sizes.
Like most things these days, there’s a wide selection to choose from. The best one for you will depend entirely on your specific needs.
For example, bi-fold wallets are traditional-style options. This is a standard ‘book-like’ design, with a fold in the middle. This is a great all-rounder. Having just one fold means it’s simple, sleek, and much smaller than others too.
There’s space for your cash and cards, as well as additional items such as photographs and so on. Bi-fold wallets are great for anyone hoping to save on size while ticking all the main wallet boxes!
Compare this to a tri-fold wallet.
Here, as you might expect, you have a second fold. The wallet opens up a bit like a pamphlet. Of course, that extra fold makes for a more substantial overall size. However, it’s good news for anyone with lots of cards they need to carry!
If you truly have to transport lots of cash and cards, then a tri-fold wallet may be best.
The simplest and smallest option? A money-clip holder. These basic wallets literally hold a couple of cards, with a clip to hold banknotes in place. For the minimalist man, this wallet would be ideal.
4. Choose the Right Material
Your wallet material is likely to be another primary factor in your decision-making process.
The materials make all the difference to the overall feel of the wallet. More than anything else, the materials dictate the impression people make of you from your wallet.
It sounds silly. But, as we all know, people are shallow and judgmental! We make rapid judgments of others in an instant and based upon all manner of observations. Indeed, it literally all happens in the blink of an eye!
The items that someone carries on them is one example of that.
Wallets, in particular, say a lot about a person. Indeed, everything we’ve discussed so far (such as size and style) feeds into their judgments too. However, the material can be a point of focus.
Leather is a typical wallet-material choice. And for good reason. It shouts sophistication, wealth and professionalism. It’s also highly practical thanks to its durability and weatherproof nature.
You aren’t limited to leather though. Heck, you can find extravagant materials such as crocodile skin. Or standard materials such as canvas.
In reality, the ‘right material’ is a case of ‘each to their own’.
Choose one that matches your overall personality and aesthetic. Oh, and make sure you like the actual tactile feel of it as well. This will be important to your overall enjoyment of the wallet.
5. You Get What You Pay For
Wallets come at all price points.
You can head down to the local Walmart and pick one up for 10 bucks, or even cheaper! Alternatively, you can head down to the local mall and easily spend a few hundred dollars and a high-end option.
Of course, the right wallet will fall within your particular budget. However, we encourage you to think of it as an investment. In reality, you get exactly what you pay for!
The cheapest wallets are likely to look and perform worse over time. In fact, they may even start to break within weeks of buying them. After all, they’re cheap and cheerful. Better quality stitching and materials cost money. You have to pay a premium for them.
For that reason, it’s sometimes better to fork out more for your wallet than you might like. It can pay off over time. For one thing, you get the perfect wallet that looks and feels fantastic. It’s exactly what you wanted.
Similarly, the higher price point ensures durability and longevity that you wouldn’t otherwise get. The wallet can last for years without the need for repairs or replacement.
6. Consider Getting a Second Wallet
We know, this post is about how to find the perfect wallet!
Well, what’s better than having one ideal wallet?
Having 2 of them!
Simply, it’s difficult to find a single wallet that will suit every occasion all the time. For instance, you could have a summer wallet that’s better suited to the heat. In other words, it’s smaller, more light-weight and won’t weigh down your pockets and make your thighs sweat!
Likewise, maybe you like wearing skinny jeans occasionally. Your massive all-purpose wallet may not even fit. Having a slimmer option for these occasions can solve the problem.
Of course, owning two wallets is rarely essential. But then again, neither is owning two belts or two watches! Regardless, they come in handy and get put to good work.
You could consider taking the same approach with your wallets.
It’d also make an awesome Father’s Day gift!
7. Think Hard About Color
We mentioned earlier that simplicity is key.
We also noted that simple colors are often preferable too.
That’s all arguably true. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no variety to choose from. In fact, the color of your wallet is undoubtedly one of the biggest factors to think about.
Equally, monotone, classic colors (such as brown and black) will suit every occasion. However, they don’t exactly scream personality! Everyone has a wallet that’s black or brown.
If you want to express yourself, then why not go for a splash of color instead?
A bright red or blue wallet, for example, would definitely get peoples’ attention (which may or may not be a good thing!).
Think about your personal style and how you want to be perceived by others. This might help you decide the right color for you.
Here’s more about what your color says about you!
Time to Buy the Perfect Wallet
There you have it: a selection of top tips for choosing the ideal wallet for your needs.
People often mistakenly assume that nobody carries cash these days. That’s far from the truth though. There’s almost always some need to carry banknotes on your person.
Wallets, of course, are designed to serve that precise function.
However, as we’ve seen, the right wallet is about more than practicalities. Wallets say something about their owner. The size, style and aesthetic qualities all play an important role in the perfect wallet for you. Finding the perfect wallet can be easier said than done.
Hopefully, this post will help you decide on the ideal options for your needs.
As it happens, wallets make an ideal gift too! Looking for more gift ideas for guys? Head to that section of the blog now!