In the beginning there was… a bag?!
Let’s walk down the history lane and find out the origins of the wallet trend. As anything in fashion, wallets were born out of necessity. In the Middle Ages men were equipped with handy pouches at the waist for stowing their valuables: coins and… herbs (!). Today’s wallets had begun their career at the start of 17th century as they coincided with the launching of banknotes. The determinant of good taste and ultimate elegance for 19th Americans was wallet attached to the trouser belt. Stuffing pockets with money and other EDC items was considered offensive and cheap.
Bulky wallet is not classy
The size of the wallet is a pain in the neck of the 90s and also present-day times. Heavily packed wallets, according to savoir-vivre, are absolutely not a symbol of wealth or high social status. They are exactly what they appear to be: unaesthetic items that reflect the floppiness and lack of attention to details. Men’s wallet, as the element of the everyday attire, should express the personality and approach to fashion of the wearer. As long as the attire or a haircut are dependable on the occasion, for men the system of storing money remains unchangeable. That is why the specific wallet ought to add a pinch of originality and a combination of some character, style and personality. Sadly, it is tough to find a genuine businessman in an Armani suit-clad gentleman donning a velcro-fastened camo wallet.
It is a common thing for men to feel anxious about the wallet, even when wearing a blazer or having a shoulder bag or holdall by themselves. The wallet then comes directly to the inner pocket of the blazer or the front or rear pocket of the trousers. Excessively stuffed and loaded wallets can distort the shape of trousers or blazer’s lapels. Probably out of concern of men’s clothes, or because of various paying methods, designers decide to minimize wallets’ size, opting for their lightweight and compact construction.
Business card holder, a coin purse or an aluminum wallet?
Designers are constantly trying to outrival themselves in creating new forms and shapes of men’s wallets and many of them cannot be regarded as super serious. Their design has always been ancillary to the way of storing money. Male pragmatism is present also in the whole nomenclature of wallets.
Bi-fold is one of the most popular ones. It is most often a rectangular wallet that folds in half and features oblong bills compartment and some smaller slots for cards. Its maxi size is called checkwallet. Some models are supplied with coin slots as well. Tri-fold wallet offers more generous number of compartments and it is useful especially for travellers who need necessary documents, including passport, vehicle license or family photos by them.
Flat leather business card holders are the most acclaimed accessories. They can store the essence of men’s finances: a credit card, an ID or driving licence and a couple of banknotes. Zip-up wallets are a godsend for those men who have a tendency of losing things. And finally, they who always pay in cash and do not turn on a dime, will be pleased seeing Gucci collection of metal money clips.
