recommendations for a wallet as a gift?

November 26, 2013 9:38 PM

I'm getting my girlfriend a wallet for christmas, and need some help shopping!

Looking for:
- something not too huge. Falls under the "short wallet" category, although doesn't have to be front-pocket small. Carries 8-10 cards, but cards can double up and that's fine.
- preferably made with leather
- doesn't have to be super fancy. Practical is more important. <$50
- I'd like it to be not brown or black.
- ideally have a coin compartment.
- Brand name doesn't matter and in fact, bonus point if it's something I can buy from etsy or the like.

While I'm also a woman myself, I only know really minimalistic wallets. If I couldn't find one to buy, I'm not above making one myself-- recently dabbled into leather work. Ideally bought though, as I don't completely trust my craftsmanship.

posted by redwaterman to Shopping (9 answers total)

I've been looking for that same wallet, but haven't been able to make the plunge. This is the one I've found that fits the bill perfectly (pun intended).
posted by hydra77 at 9:59 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

I have been coveting a wallet from the brand Status Anxiety forever. They are 100% leather and come in delicious colours, although they might just a touch over your price limit. I'm not sure where they sell from in the US, as I'm in Australia, but I'm sure you'll get some hits if you google the brand.

Good luck!
posted by Salamander at 10:01 PM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

The gryson tech wallet has a smart phone compartment, a couple of credit card slots and a change compartment. Not to mention the nice little wrist strap. I like to think of it as a wallet and a lazy tiny purse.

Orange Tech Wallet

Comes in lots of colors
posted by memi at 11:19 PM on November 26, 2013

A year or so ago, I made an impulse purchase of a MyWalit, which cost quite a bit more than I would usually consider spending on a wallet, but I haven't regretted it at all. I get compliments on it all the time, and it doesn't show any wear.

They're available in all sorts of configurations and colors. If your girlfriend doesn't mind folding her bills, this looks like a good choice for a small wallet and ID holder.
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:29 AM on November 27, 2013

Taxi Wallets are superb.
posted by tel3path at 6:41 AM on November 27, 2013

You might take a look at Fossil wallets. They have quite a few around your budget with the parameters you describe.
posted by JenMarie at 7:32 AM on November 27, 2013

Maybe one of the Big Skinny wallets?
posted by jcrbuzz at 8:14 AM on November 27, 2013

I also came in to recommend Mywalit. I have the small tri-fold wallet and I think it matches all your wishes, except I can't find it easily for sale in the US, except for on ebay.
posted by carolr at 8:32 AM on November 27, 2013

I have this wallet from Duluth Trading. I bang it around all the time. My previous wallets had disintegrated and lost their pulltabs within a year or two, but this one has been nearly indestructible, and doesn't drop coins on a whim. I'm sorry to say that it looks like they no longer have the nice bright red one I bought, but the blue is pretty cute.
posted by Madamina at 9:10 AM on November 27, 2013