Help me replace my wallet

March 6, 2008 8:49 PM

I need a new wallet, but I want one exactly the same as my current one, or better.

Firstly, if this can't be done, que sera sera, when it actually falls apart I'll just replace it with another kind and then in ten years' time I'll be asking the same question again. :) But I would like to at least attempt to replace my current wallet with an exact, but new, replica. (Or at least one with the same sort of layout.)

Are there technical names for different styles of wallet, as with shoes, glasses, etc? If so, can anyone identify the style of wallet this might be? I realize it's a bit of an ask without pics, but I'm hoping my verbal descriptive skills are up to the task.

My wallet is black, and made of some sturdy leather-like substance. It looks like a small folder, or book, where the pages of the book are replaced by a series of "card-holding sleeves". (In this case 6, but more is better). Each card-holding sleeve is a translucent plastic envelope, closed on three sides, open inwards, like a pocket or an open envelope with the flap attached to the spine of the wallet. Inside the left "cover" of the wallet is a sturdier envelope made out of the black leathery stuff, internally divided into two layers (ie, cards can be put above and below the divider). Inside the right cover is another such envelope, and above it is a flap that folds open to reveal a money clip to hold banknotes.

Currently it's absolutely stuffed with cards of various kinds, and the translucent plastic envelopes have all busted on all sides and are held together mostly with sticky tape. Occasionally these fall apart again, and cards fall out, leading to a need to re-tape the envelopes. The black leathery stuff is in good repair. However because of the condition of the envelopes it looks shabby, and needs replacing.

In my searches I have found wallets with card-holding sleeves, and wallets with money clips, but never both. I vaguely recall buying the wallet at a gift shop somewhere; sadly, I lacked the foresight at the time to buy a half-dozen of them.

Alternatively, a recommendation for a better style of wallet would be good. The main design principle is lots of card space, at least twice as much as the "standard" men's wallet, preferably in the sort of holders where it's possible to easily see at least one of the cards, so I don't have to search too long to find cards I only use occasionally; preferably these holders should be more sturdy than plastic envelopes. As far as money is concerned I'm only wanting to keep notes in the wallet itself, I normally keep coins in my other pocket with my keys. I keep it in the front right-hand pocket of my jeans, and would prefer to continue to do so; being a person prone to losing stuff, I like a substantial wallet that I will instantly notice if it is gone.

I figure once I have a style of wallet to ask for, I can go up the chain from the shops to the manufacturers and importers, and maybe back down to shops again.

posted by aeschenkarnos to clothing, beauty, & fashion (7 comments total)

Pictures, please? Of it with and without your stuff in it.
posted by spec80 at 8:59 PM on March 6

I'll post pics in a few hours, once I've got access to a connector cable for my phone-camera. :)
posted by aeschenkarnos at 9:08 PM on March 6

Advice from my friend: Some places sell only the plastic folder bits, and I believe Kohls might be one of them.
posted by lizzicide at 9:13 PM on March 6

This Buxton deluxe money clip wallet is the one that I use and it seems to fill your requirements. I don't use the plastic card holder as it will easily hold 6 credit cards in the leather pockets and that is all that I need.
posted by calumet43 at 9:19 PM on March 6

I bought a couple of these 'world's thinnest wallets' a few years ago. I kept one and gave the others as gifts, and I have to say they are great! On first glance they look pretty flimsy as there's really nothing to them, but after you load up with all your cards and cash and receipts you appreciate the design. Check em out: All-ETT Wallets

I have the 'European' model while my giftees have the passport sized one. If you have a lot of cards you should probably get the larger one.

(actually I just checked my email and they have a promo going on)
posted by xenyz at 11:18 PM on March 6

Make one. I recommend using tyvek. Cheap. Thin. Strong. Just go to UPS, FedEx or wherever and buy a couple envelopes, plan out your design carefully, then start cutting and sewing.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 3:10 PM on March 7

My humble apologies, I came home late last night and was distracted all day today. Here's the wallet, if anyone's still looking!

Thanks for the advice so far! :)

The Buxton Deluxe looks almost exactly what I'm looking for, except that it has the money clip's hinge on the outside. The All-Ett Executive wallet is pretty good too, I have some misgivings about the storage of the cards where they might be able to catch against each other, but the basic idea is good and I'll see if I can find one like that to look at.

Making one appeals to me a lot, too. :) I know some medieval recreationists, I might ask them for advice on leatherworking if I can't find the exact wallet I'm after any other way.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 11:42 PM on March 7