No matter what type of man you are there’s one thing you definitely need and that’s a dependable, well-made, and durable wallet. I have a few of them because I’m obsessed with wallets but, frankly, all you need is one. The question is, which one?
There are so many different styles of wallets it can be more than a little confusing. Trifolds, bi-folds, and L-folds. Hipster and zipper and chain wallets. Tiny money clips that hold some cash and a couple of cards to massive wallets that hold 60 cards, IDs, change, and even a passport. In short, there’s a lot of wallets to choose from.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all of them and tell you what they do best. If you’re in the market for a new wallet, this style guide will help make the choice a lot easier. Enjoy!
What makes a Great Wallet?
The best wallets are durable, easy to use, and look good when you take them out of your pocket. If you’re like me, you’ll use your wallet multiple times a day when you’re out and about, so you need something that works for you in particular.
If you keep a lot of credit cards, pictures, and IDs in your wallet you’ll likely need one that’s much different (and thicker) from, say, someone who carries a small amount of cash and 1 credit card wherever they go. (And, if you’re like me, you might need more than one.)
The Many Different Styles of Wallet
1- The Bifold Wallet
This is the classic, timeless wallet that’s been around for decades. Like the name suggests, a bifold wallet folds in half has two sides and is relatively thin. Most bifold wallets hold about 8 credit cards, have an ID sleeve with a transparent cover, and sometimes have a plastic insert to hold photographs. Most also have two different bill compartments so that you can organize your receipts and cash.
2- The L-Fold Wallet
An L-fold wallet is similar to a tri-fold wallet (coming up) in that it has 3 parts that all fold into one. When you fold them all out it looks like an L shape, thus the name L-fold. L-fold wallets are great for guys who carry a lot of credit cards since they offer extra slots for them.
Also, you can choose to only open one part of an L-fold and keep the other side folded closed, which keeps the other cards safer. L-fold wallets can help you stay more organized. (I have one and I love it!) They do get a bit bulky though and are not thin wallets.
3- The Trifold Wallet
Like a bifold wallet, a trifold wallet folds into a nice, rectangular shape but, when you unfold it, you have three parts instead of just two. It’s also like an L-fold but the 2 sides fold out horizontally. Trifold wallets have all the typical credit cards, cash, and ID spaces, just more of them. Like L-fold wallets, they also tend to get a bit bulky.
4- The Long Wallet
As the name suggests, a long wallet is longer than a typical wallet and can hold cash without the need to fold it. It’s also known as a coach wallet, breast wallet, or suit wallet since it can easily fit in the pocket of a suit jacket. Long wallets usually have enough space for at least 10 credit cards and have an ID window. Some are also made to hold a checkbook. (Who the heck is still using checks?!)
5- The Travel Wallet / Passport Wallet
You probably already guessed that a travel wallet or passport wallet is designed especially for people who travel, especially internationally. These are big enough to hold a passport as well as plenty of credit cards, IDs, and even airplane tickets. In fact, they’re really big in most cases so this isn’t the kind of wallet you’re going to use daily (unless all you do is travel).
6- The Key Wallet
If you tend to carry a lot of keys a key wallet might be a great choice for you. Key wallets have hooks inside of them to hook your keys and they also hold cash, credit cards, and an ID too. Key wallets are good to protect your pants from getting ripped if you’re using your keys often. Some are made only to hold keys but, in my opinion, that makes them not a wallet but more of a pants protector.
7- The Money Clip Wallet
A money clip wallet is pretty much a bifold wallet with a twist; it has a money clip attached to the outside. If you like money clips for their how small they are and how easy it is to access your cash, but you need extra room for credit cards, pictures, receipts, and other stuff, a money clip wallet is a good choice.
You could also go for just a money clip and ditch the wallet if you want to slim things down, but keep in mind you lose the extra space to store everything else. A typical money clip can hold a dozen or so bills, a credit card, and your ID, and that’s about it.
8- The Credit Card Wallet
Credit card wallets can typically hold a massive amount of credit cards, debit cards, and membership cards. They usually have at least two transparent ID slots and some have a slot for cash too. They do get very big and chunky though, so slipping them into your pants pocket might not be an option.
9- The Hipster Wallet
Ironically, hipster wallets are commonly used by white-collar professionals because they are a bit bigger than a bifold wallet and hold a few more credit cards. Some consider them “dressier” than other types of wallets but, in my opinion, there are no more dressy than any other type of wallet. Most hipster wallets are a bit taller though, so they’re better to put in a suit jacket pocket than your pants.
10- The Zipper Wallet
If you like the security of a zipper then a zipper wallet is a good choice. It’s pretty much the same thing as a bifold wallet but it has a zipper to make sure that nothing falls out.
Like, ever. For me, the problem with a zipper wallet is that every time you want to take out a card, some cash, or whatever, you have to unzip the darn thing. That just takes too much time and energy, especially if you use your wallet a lot. Still, they’re safer, so if that’s your thing a zipper wallet might be your best choice.
11- The Chain Wallet
A chain while it is simply a bigger, more durable wallet with a chain attached. You then attach the other end of the chain to your pants and voilà there’s no way to lose it or forget it.
These were made popular by bikers who wanted to make sure that their wallet didn’t fall out while they were riding. They have a style all their own, that’s for sure, but might not be the best choice for an executive. But then again, if you’re an executive of your own business, why not?!
Keep in mind that you can find almost all of these different types of wallets with RFID blocking technology. I recommend that because I’m not a fan of having my data ripped off by scammers. If you are too, look for your favorite wallet style with RFID blocking technology and you’ll be good to go!
Conclusion
And there you have them! That pretty much covers all of the different styles of wallets available on the market right now.
I hope everyone liked the article and that it helps you decide what type of wallet to get for yourself. If you need any help or advice just let me know in the comments section and I’ll get back to you ASAP!
