Types of Leather Wallets
There are many types of leather wallets available, but which design suits you best? Here are the five most popular leather wallets for women, men, and everyone in-between:
- Leather Bifold Wallets: the most popular style of wallet. Bifold wallets are known for their utility and convenience, featuring two inner components for cards, and a large component for bills and receipts. Occasionally, this style of wallet will come with a transparent ID slot to easily access your driver’s license.
- Leather Trifold Wallets: a more modern take on the bifold wallet. Trifold wallets are a similar design as bifold wallets, but include an additional column in the center. This component is for those who need additional card slots.
- Leather Cardholder Wallets: slim and easy to use, cardholder wallets get the job done. Cardholder wallets are typically a double-sided piece with multiple card components on each side. They are lightweight, slim, and can fit even in the tightest of jean pockets. Some cardholder wallets feature a money clip, while others might come with a transparent ID slot.
- Leather RFID Wallets: RFID repelling wallets protect both your cards and your bank account. RFID (radio-frequency identification) is the technology used to transmit information using a small chip, often seen on bank cards with the “Tap” feature. RFID wallets keep your money safe in more ways than one, while also looking sleek and stylish.
- Leather Clutches and Zip Around Wallets: traditional dress wallets or for those who wish to keep their phone and ID all in one place. These wallets provide the added safety feature of a zipper, which deters sleight-of-hand theft or accidentally dropping a bank note. Leather clutches make a statement and can be used as a fashion centrepiece in the right setting.
Leather Wallet Materials: What Type of Leather is Best?
Much like design, there are many options when choosing the material of your leather wallet. When purchasing a leather product, it’s important to know the source and quality of the material.
There are five traditional grades of leather, as well as some new, sustainable options:
- Full Grain Leather (Top Grain Leather): the highest-quality leather. Full-grain leather isn’t sanded or buffed, leaving it in a more natural and appealing state. The hair is removed to reveal densely packed fibres and a strong, durable surface. Full-grain leather is ideal for furniture, footwear, and even saddlery. All leather products at Hides are made using premium full-grain leather.
- Top Grain Leather: the outermost layer of the full-grain leather has been sanded and buffed to remove blemishes. Top grain leather is soft and flexible, making it the perfect material for handbags, wallets, and leather jackets.
- Corrected Leather (Genuine Leather): most commonly seen with the stamp “genuine leather”. Corrected leather is leather that has been sanded, processed, dyed, and stamped to give the appearance of a luxury leather material. While this is still high-quality leather, it doesn’t quite add up to full grain products.
- Split Grain Leather (Embossed Leather): sourced from a lower layer of the hide, and is often finished in a non-natural dye or style. Split grain leather is useful, but not as strong as full or top grain leather. This is why it’s usually used to make accent pieces and vibrantly-coloured leather products.
- Bonded Leather (Reconstituted Leather): made from scraps of recycled leather and formed together using synthetic mesh. Bonded leather can be anywhere from 10-90% leather, which makes it the least reliable and most affordable leather material. Often branded as recycled leather, reconstituted leather has increased in popularity with sustainability movements.
- Vegan Leather: made with 0% animal-based materials. Vegan leather can be made from synthetic or natural ingredients, even pineapples! While this material is called “vegan leather”, there’s no real leather in the product.
Leather Wallets to Compliment Your Wardrobe
Like any luxury accessory, leather wallets are a fashion statement that should take your wardrobe to the next level, not drag it down. In order to complete your look and stand out above the rest, you’ll want to choose a leather wallet that not only matches your style now but will stand the test of time. High-quality leather products can last years, or even decades, when properly cared for. So, what style will you go for: classic, rustic, or bold?
- Natural Leather Wallets: elegant and classy. A classic example of luxury accessories, natural leather wallets offer a shine that looks premium and clean. Neutral colours like black, brown, and tan complement any wardrobe, while making their own statement with a rich and supple finish.
- Distressed and Antique Leather Wallets: leather treated to look distinguished and matured. Distressed and antique leather wallets are classy, yet rustic, offering the perfect mix of cowboy and coffee connoisseur.
- Dyed Leather Wallets: bright and bold colours. Dyed leather wallets scream trendsetter, featuring vibrant colours light orange, red, and blue. These products are surely statement pieces and will make anyone feel powerful whilst clutching them.
For a traditionally feminine approach, we recommend the Leather Zip Around Wallet in Saddle Brown. This wallet has a classic yet modern appearance, with an elegant clasp and sturdy zipper. This trendy wallet is made of vegetable-tanned, full-grain, cowhide leather, and features 18 card slots, six interior pockets, a zipper compartment, and enough space to fit an iPhone Plus or similar smartphone.
For a classic masculine look, we recommend the Bi-Fold Leather Wallet With Change in Distressed. This wallet is the perfect mix between a cattle farm and coffee shop, easily transitioning from day to night looks. Any outfit would pair well with this subtle yet stylish piece. This bifold leather wallet features six standard card slots, four hidden compartments for important cards and receipts, a compartment for photo ID, and a slot for bank notes.
