Where do you find high-quality wallets?

March 10, 2006 1:33 PM

The clasp on my cheap Target wallet just broke. What sites and/or brands do you recommend for buying high-quality wallets? Feature requests listed inside.

-I like colors. Blacks and browns are okay, but I really prefer something colorful.
-I need at least nine credit card slots as well as an ID window.
-I prefer a checkbook-style, but not the zip-around kind. I know it helps insure that nothing will fall out, but having to pull a zipper around three sides is too much of a hassle for me everytime I need to open/close my wallet.

posted by invisible ink to Shopping (18 answers total)

This is um, not cheap. But it's hotttttttt. Pantone colorchip wallet. You *said* high-quality, so....

Another good brand that you might find is Hobo. They sell leather wallets in many colors.

Note: I'm a guy, so I probably don't know what I'm talking about.
posted by zpousman at 1:52 PM on March 10, 2006

Queenbee!
posted by Sara Anne at 2:00 PM on March 10, 2006

I love my Coach wallet. It's incredibly skinny and low profile. Extremely high-quality. It looks as though it might last forever.
posted by popechunk at 2:02 PM on March 10, 2006

Ack allow me to fix that linkto Queenbee.
posted by Sara Anne at 2:02 PM on March 10, 2006

Response by poster: I should note that I am willing to consider expensive options.

Thanks everyone, keep 'em coming!
posted by invisible ink at 2:22 PM on March 10, 2006

Mrs. Tacos has this wallet. It doesn't have an ID window, but it has enough credit card slots that you can just put your ID in the first one.
posted by I Love Tacos at 2:27 PM on March 10, 2006

I have a Coach wallet. After about six months of use, the hinge on the coin purse part of it broke. I took it in to the store to see if it could be repaired. The clerk looked at it, reached under the counter and handed me a brand-new one of the same model. I've had that second wallet for seven or eight years now and it still looks great. Like popechunk, I think it might last forever.
posted by ambrosia at 2:32 PM on March 10, 2006

I've always been a fan of Fossil wallets. Especially their front pocket wallets with the moneyclip on the outside.
posted by ssmith at 2:39 PM on March 10, 2006

I have one exactly as you describe that's called a "Perry Ellis Portfolio" wallet, and it says it's "top grain leather." I bought it for about $25 at some department store in Fort Lauderdale, and see listings online now for between $12 (eBay) and $30 (includes manicure set!!). I've had it now for 7 years, drenched it, washed it, and otherwise abused it, and it doesn't show wear.
posted by whatzit at 2:48 PM on March 10, 2006

I have a Coach wallet too, and I love how the tan leather changes colour as it ages. You might also consider Kate Spade. I've had one of her leather pocket organizers for a few years now and it, too, looks better with age. This one meets most of your requirements, except for the fact that it doesn't have an ID window.
posted by phoenixc at 3:02 PM on March 10, 2006

Coach. Coach. Coach.

I had my first one for 10 years. I'm a back-pocket wallet guy.

It was worn, but still very, very usable. Even the ID window was completely intact. I got another one because it was looking a little shabby.

That was about five years ago. It is in near perfect condition today.

Also, I like the fact that it is very slim and not bulky. And I think it was around $60... not bad for a simple, nice looking wallet that lasts 10 years.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 3:28 PM on March 10, 2006

I I have always had good luck at TJX company stores like TJMaxx and Marshall's for wallets. Sure, they aren't expensive, but a $20 Nine West wallet will last for years, and those stores often have a wide selection.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 5:02 PM on March 10, 2006

Coach is a good safe easy bet. Get a card holder style wallet, the ones that have room for a few cards on either side of a slit for folded bills. Voila, you don't look like you have an ass tumor.
posted by kcm at 7:51 PM on March 10, 2006

One warning if you use a brown Coach wallet in your back pocket. Don't get *really* wet. The leather will end up discoloring your pants.

Oddly, my (less interesting) black Coach wallet hasn't shown this problem... but it's never been quite as wet, either.
posted by I Love Tacos at 10:14 PM on March 10, 2006

I must say that I used to be a big buldging wallet kind of a guy until I came accross The Jimi. It's minimalist, slim, sturdy and comes in a wide range of colours and at $15 a piece damn good value.

I could never go back to anything else.
posted by mule at 6:31 AM on March 11, 2006

Coach wallet here too - I got a blue one just for grins, have it about 3 years and it's looking a bit worn but leather leather wallets usually die on me much sooner than that. This one has easily another year left in it.

The most durable wallet I ever had was made of Cordura. It wore a hole in the back pocket of every pair of pants I owned. After about 20 years I finally figured it out and switched back to leather.
posted by prcrstn8 at 9:24 AM on March 11, 2006

Not what you are requesting, but I was just wondering if anyone else uses a vintage cigarette case as a wallet like I do? Those well-made (metal) cases make for an excellent wallet.
posted by jca at 10:16 AM on March 11, 2006

One thing about Coach--I've never had one of their wallets, but I have had trouble getting their things repaired through the company. I have had one of their bags for the last 10 years or so, and after 9 years of overstuffing the zipper finally gave out. After a $20 fee for shipping, repairs, and God knows what else, the bag was returned--not fixed--with an apologetic letter and discount on Coach goods. I took the bag to my shoe repair guy who fixed it, and shined and resoled another pair of shoes, for what it would have cost to send the bag to Florida just for Coach to fix it.

That, and what the company is pushing lately--some of the most extravagantly overbranded and ugly leather goods I've ever seen. It's not going to be a luxury brand for much longer.
posted by Lycaste at 1:52 PM on March 11, 2006