People rarely replace their wallets. They usually wait until their wallet is falling apart before they finally say farewell. So, when shopping for a wallet, it’s important to choose one that’s high-quality and high fashion. After all, you’ll be stuck with it for several years to come.
If you’ve been using your front pocket wallet since college, it’s time to throw it out. Below, we’ve put together the advantages of investing in a designer wallet, as well as the disadvantages of owning a cheap wallet. To help you narrow down your search, we’ve also rounded up a few of our favorite wallets from designer brands.
Why should you buy a luxury wallet?
You’re probably wondering if designer wallets are worth it. The answer depends on what you want in a wallet.
If you want a minimalist wallet that you’ll still want to use several years down the road, your best bet is a luxury brand. Bi-fold wallets for men from brands such as Montblanc, Givenchy, and Bottega Veneta boast the finest craftsmanship because they use materials that last a lifetime. They cost more (a lot more), but for something that you never have to replace, they’re an investment.
Here are a few reasons why luxury wallets are an excellent choice:
#1 Comfort
Luxury wallets take the owner’s comfort extremely seriously. Designer brands understand what their customers want, which is a wallet that not only holds their cards, cash, etc. but also brings comfort to their daily carry. Unlike a cheap plastic wallet, a designer front pocket wallet lacks the sharp corners that would otherwise poke your skin. An expensive wallet is also flexible and capable of expanding to its contents so you’ll never feel like you’re carrying a brick in your pocket.
#2 Style
Although not all wallets show off the name of the fashion house (such as the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram), there’s something about holding a designer wallet in your hand that makes you look so sleek and stylish. By bringing an expensive wallet, you’re able to exude confidence even if you don’t take it out from your pocket. The fact that you know that a designer wallet is in your pocket is good enough to make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
In addition, if you’re keen on making a good impression during a date, what better way than to subtly show off your designer wallet when it’s time to pay? A good wallet makes you look put together.
#3 Longevity
One of the reasons why designer wallets are so pricey is that they’re made of premium materials. When you buy a designer wallet, you get to own something that can be passed down the generations – that’s something you can’t say with a cheap wallet. In other words, you’re investing in value.
#4 Variety
The benefit of buying a wallet from a designer brand is that it comes in an assortment of colors, styles, shapes, and so on. Compare that to cheap wallets where there are typically no options. By buying from a designer brand, you’re able to choose the wallet that suits your style to a T. They’re made for fashion-forward people that want their wallets to be accurate representations of who they are at a certain point in time.
#5 Uniqueness
Expensive wallets are, to say the least, iconic. Take for example the monogrammed wallet from Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) – there’s nothing quite like it, which is what makes the wallet truly unique. Unlike cheap wallets with widespread styles, designer wallets are well-known not because of the brand, but because of how distinct they look. In addition, cheap wallet makers tend to reuse existing styles – a designer brand, on the other hand, takes the time to think of novel styles every season.
#6 Maintenance
Cheap wallets don’t come with complimentary repairs. If your wallet starts to wear out, you’re on your own. You can’t expect the manufacturer to fix it for you. An expensive wallet, on the other hand, comes with complimentary care. This can be helpful if you don’t know how to take care of your wallet.
What’s wrong with owning a cheap wallet?
If you buy low-cost wallets, don’t be offended – there’s probably a good reason why you own one. Perhaps you’re the type of person who wants to try every type of wallet without having to pay an arm and a leg. Whatever your reasons are, we’re sure it’s valid.
To be clear, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with owning a cheap wallet. However, you do need to know that they’re likely made of flimsy materials that will wear out fast. If your affordable wallet does last, it’ll probably be in pieces by the time you replace it. Compared to a luxury wallet, an inexpensive wallet isn’t designed to live a long time. That’s why they are so low-priced. They’re meant to be replaced many times.
Here are more cons of owning a cheap wallet:
#1 It can’t handle the day-to-day demands
A wallet is an accessory that you have on you every day. It’s what carries your cards, cash, and coins, so don’t underestimate its importance. While it can be tempting to buy a cheap, ten-dollar wallet, it would be better to invest in something that can withstand the day-to-day demands of everyday use.
Think about the number of times you take out your wallet in one day. You take it out when you show your ID at work, when you pay for parking, and the like. Every time you do these, your wallet goes through gradual wear and tear. So, as you can imagine, your cheap wallet’s useful life won’t be as long considering that you use it daily.
#2 It will fall apart sooner or later
Why would you carry your valuables in a wallet that will eventually fall apart? If you’re really concerned about your credit cards, debit cards, cash, etc., you should buy a wallet that won’t disappoint you.
Plus, if you prefer to put your wallet in your back pocket, it will likely wear out faster. One day, you’ll open your bi-fold wallet to find out that it’s no longer being held together by leather glue. Don’t wait for that day – or in other words, don’t wait for disappointment.
#3 It’s not stylish
What do you want people to think when they look at you? Do you think they’ll say, “Wow, he’s so thrifty,” when they see your cheap wallet? Nope. They’ll likely think, “Why doesn’t he own a better wallet?”
The reality is that a cheap wallet isn’t a cause for admiration. So, if you want to turn heads in a good way, get yourself a wallet that’ll make people think you’re put together. This is especially true if you’re a professional, where how you present yourself can affect your career’s future. As shallow as it sounds, the type of wallet you carry can affect your peers’ perception of you.
#4 It’s more expensive than a luxury wallet
You’re probably going, “Wait, what?” and we get it. It’s unheard of for a low-cost wallet to be more expensive than a luxury wallet. But when you think about it, how many times will you replace your cheap wallet, anyway? If your wallet costs $20 but needs to be replaced every year (or twice a year if you aren’t careful), you’ll have spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars by the time you’re seventy. Compare that to a single purchase of a well-made wallet that’s designed to last generations.
A well-made wallet is an investment that’ll save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
What are the best luxury wallet brands for men?
Since luxury leather wallets can be costly, it’s important to choose one that you really like. Here are our top picks:
#1 Montblanc
Montblanc is well-known for its classic wallets.
The label’s wallets are made with high-quality leather, whether deerskin, lambskin, calfskin, or cowhide. All of their wallets are created manually by master craftsmen and in-house artisans to ensure excellence. In fact, even Montblanc’s emblem is carefully embedded in the wallet by hand.
If you’re looking for a wallet that exudes style and sophistication, Montblanc is the ideal choice. Their men’s leather bi-fold wallets come in classic colors such as black, brown, and gray.
#2 Givenchy
Givenchy’s wallets combine edginess with elegance.
Despite their classic aesthetic, the French fashion house’s wallets have always stood out thanks to the touch of modern-day flair. A distinct feature of their front-pocket wallets is their supple feel. The brand’s wallets and clutches are made with high-quality materials such as lambskin, calf leather, alligator leather, and bull-hide leather.
Givenchy has a wide selection of minimalist leather wallets for men and women. Women who are looking for an eye-catching wallet will fall in love with their colorful selection of clutches.
Looking for a leather clutch that’s on the cheaper side? Try Trayvax’s Roam Clutch. It lasts as long as any other luxury leather wallet!
#3 Gucci
Gucci wallets are some of the most coveted in the world, particularly the Gucci GG Marmont.
The famous monogrammed wallet is a must-have for any woman (or man) who wants to sport something that’s a head-turner.
But be careful. Since Gucci GG Marmont wallets are so famous, that means there are a lot of fakes, as well. To tell if it’s real, check the leather and stitching. Gucci’s wallets are more matte than shiny, plus their stitching is incredibly tight.
#4 Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta’s a veteran when it comes to wallets.
The brand has been in the industry for decades, which means you can expect wallets of exceptional quality. The brand uses fine Nappa leather but they sometimes switch it up for limited edition products. Bottega Veneta stands out with its unparalleled craftsmanship, which was made evident in the brand’s signature “Intrecciato” collection.
In that collection, Bottega Veneta applied Intrecciato, an intricate weaving technique, to create a “criss-cross” pattern that makes their wallets more durable.
Many of Bottega Veneta’s wallets are long, so if you’re looking for a long wallet for men, this brand is your best bet.
#5 Paul Smith
Minimalist wallets for men don’t have to be boring, and that’s what Paul Smith wallets are all about.
If “fun” is on your list, you should consider purchasing a wallet from Paul Smith. The British fashion house’s bi-fold wallets for men feature eye-catching colors such as blue, green, and pink. Paul Smith also sells credit card holders, slim money clip wallets, and more.
Want a wallet that’s trendy but also tactical? Check out the Trayvax Original 2.0 Wallet -- it comes in bright colors such as blue and green.
#6 Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is an obvious choice, but its inclusion in this list is well-deserved.
This wouldn’t be a list of the best luxury brands for wallets if it didn’t include Louis Vuitton. The French fashion house is a household name when it comes to genuine leather goods. Though the label is best known for its bags, their leather wallets are a must-have for any collector.
It’s easy to spot a Louis Vuitton wallet from afar -- all you have to do is to look for their signature Damier canvas design. Louis Vuitton’s wallets are extremely expensive, but if you want a wallet that you can show off forever, it’s worth the splurge.
Is there a cheaper alternative to a designer wallet?
Designer wallets aren’t always practical, but at the same time, cheap wallets tend to be a letdown. but the good news is that you can go for a wallet that’s the best of both worlds – a wallet that’s both affordable and well-crafted.
You can buy a cheaper wallet, but not a cheap wallet.
So, instead of buying a cheap wallet, consider switching to a reasonably priced wallet. These wallets are made of durable materials, but they aren’t that flimsy. The truth is that you don’t always need to buy a wallet from a designer brand. You can still experience luxury with wallets that aren’t “luxury wallets”. The key is to take a look at what it’s made of, and how it was made.
As an example, take a look at Trayvax’s wallets. Trayvax isn’t a luxury brand, but our wallets are crafted from the finest materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, Horween leather, and more. We may not be on Rodeo Drive, but our wallets offer the same – if not, more – style and sophistication that you can find from big-name brands.
What’s the best way to take care of your wallet?
Even if your wallet is from a reputable brand, that does not mean that it’s safe from wear and tear. Every wallet, whatever the brand, should be treated with care. That’s why you should know how to take care of your leather wallet or metal wallet.
While a well-made wallet won’t be that worn out in a few years, it will still be a bit worn out if you don’t care for it. Here are some tips on taking care of your wallet to make sure that it looks new all the time:
#1 Don’t handle it with dirty hands
Your wallet has a sensitive surface, so never handle it with dirty hands. For instance, the oil from fries can stain your wallet, and when this happens, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly to get rid of the grease.
#2 Don’t clean it too many times
You do not need to clean your wallet daily. If you do this, your wallet’s surface will lose its naturally soft feel. Ideally, you should clean and condition your wallet twice a year. However, you should clean out your wallet every day – this involves removing clutter such as receipts, tickets, and the like.
#3 Wipe it dry immediately
When water splashes all over your wallet, be sure to wipe it dry as soon as possible. By doing this, you prevent the water from air-drying, which can create undesirable spots on even the finest materials.
#4 Swap your wallets from time to time
If possible, own more than one wallet. This allows you to swap between your wallets – that way, both of them will be able to retain their unblemished appearance for as long as possible.
If you can’t afford to buy two designer wallets, don’t worry – you can buy two exceptionally well-made wallets from Trayvax. We suggest getting one leather wallet (you won’t be disappointed by the Trayvax Ascent Wallet) and one metal wallet (the Trayvax Axis Wallet is an excellent choice).
Conclusion
When buying a wallet, you should contemplate whether or not a given wallet is valuable to you. This doesn’t only mean that it’s expensive, but also that it provides exactly what you want in a wallet. That’s because your wallet shouldn’t only be an item that can carry your cards, cash, etc., but also something that can stay by your side for a long, long time.
Consider buying a wallet from a designer brand. If that’s not practical, choose to purchase a cheaper (but not cheap) wallet with equal quality as a designer brand.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.