Advice: How to choose a wallet, coin purse, card holder… (and not a suitcase!)

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Many men pull out a huge wallet when it comes to checking out. Between the time they spend taking out the wallet, picking up what falls out, and putting it back in their jeans or coat: sometimes they would already be at home.

Okay, I'm exaggerating... but barely. All this to tell you that minimalism is good, and that carrying all these loyalty, bank, business and transport cards (in addition to your change) is neither practical nor aesthetic. So no need to walk around with your house in your pocket.

Firstly, it distorts your clothes . We've been telling you for a while that jeans are a material that loses between 1 and 2 sizes when worn: putting too much in your pockets will make them saggy, or at best bulging because they're full, which also breaks your silhouette.

And from an aesthetic point of view, it's a shame to give so much importance to your look only to finally take out of your pocket an object that has lost all of its shape and looks more like a bad counterfeit than the case. legitimate of your finances (means of payment) and your image (business cards).

brown leather wallet
© Oversized wallet in cheap leather, early 21st century.
Levis black leather wallet
© Competition game. Head over to our Facebook page and tell us how many times the brand appears on this wallet. The winner gets nothing because this is the kind of item to avoid.

In 95% of cases, you will only need your bank card, 1 or 2 bank notes, your transport card and the photo of Auntie Lucette . And possibly business cards. No need to rent a semi-trailer, right?

So opt for an elegant card holder or a small wallet.

Your change will go into your pockets . If you follow our recommendations on men's jeans which should be chosen fitted, the pieces will not fall off when sitting (unless you're doing a pony, but that hasn't happened to me since CE2). Or if you prefer, in a... coin purse, which is a simple little zippered pocket. With 2 separate items for cards and coins, we avoid the king size wallet.

black leather coin purse

© Wallet.

We come to all these items which are only useful a few times a year : loyalty cards, identity cards (but why do French identity cards have double the surface area of ​​a credit card? ), passport, etc.

All these other things will fit perfectly in your old, oversized wallet left at home. Or in your bag (you can re-read our file on men's bags ).

What is certain is that given the newly acquired lightness: you will not miss your old gear!

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CARD HOLDER OR WALLET?

We might as well make it clear right away, you won't find what you're looking for in holiday flea markets and other cheap stores. At best you would only have a cardboard/imitation leather object which would lose its hold in a few weeks. These items age poorly, and in any case the presence of a brand is of no more interest for your leather goods than for your clothes.

So choose a truly beautiful object, cut from a noble material. To ensure the quality of the leather , check that the skin is smooth and even, with fine and tight pores. Also check the assembly : as usual you should find very regular and solid seams.

The choice of leather is vast . Some will prefer cowhide leathers, which are thicker and offer better hold. For my part, I was offered a lambskin billfold, thinner but less robust (be careful not to twist it in your pocket). After 2 years of use, I am still very happy with it.

Finally, others will move towards more exotic leathers such as crocodile, shagreen (ray leather), or even eel leather. Why not, but as long as you stick to sober designs.

brown shagreen wallet
© Shagreen billfold.
eel wallet
© Eel leather card holder.

So here is the one I use: it is very simple and I have plenty of room for the essentials for urban survival.

card holder the tanner
© The Tanner - Brandy billfold. It is made in a pretty, very fine lambskin, and which therefore takes up less space.
card holder the tanner
© Inside, I slip two bank cards, a few notes, my transport card, and business cards (small format).

SMALL SELECTION OF WALLETS AND CARD HOLDERS

To finish, here is a small selection of more original pieces. If you have other good ideas, let me know in the comments and I will improve the article :)

horizon bark brown leather card holder<!--nl-->
© -> MAKR Carry Goods - A simple 2-pocket card holder, in a beautiful matte leather that will patina well.
want brown leather card holder
© -> Want The Essentials of Life - This card holder offers pretty contrasts between textures and colors.
brown leather card holder
© -> Maison Martin Margiela - with their usual humor...
brown card holder
© -> VEJA - More economical and nice too.

PS. Thanks to Rémi for his product suggestions.

Geoffrey Bruyere, at the origins of BonneGueule

I am one of the two founders of BonneGueule. I believe in quality content, digital that doesn't forget the human, and positive brands. And I'm the one who finds the nicknames in the team!

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