There is a school of thought in modern America that as long as you have your cellphone, you can manage just about any situation. It serves as a combined office, laptop, diary, organizer and wallet. But there is a difference between getting by and thriving. Of all those combined roles, the one in which your phone is really a poor substitute is as a wallet. Even in the digital age, a traditional, high-quality leather wallet is still absolutely essential for every business leader.
Choose a leather wallet for style and durability
Other materials such as canvas and even metal trend from time to time. But custom wallets made of leather are a perennial favorite among US fashion setters. Impressions count in the business world. Clients, partners and even colleagues will judge you according to your appearance. The rights and wrongs of that are a discussion for another day, but its truth is undeniable.
Another undeniable truth is that women have more ways to hone their appearance to create the right impression in a business setting than men. This might be through use of accessories, make up and so on. For men, it all comes down to a well cut suit and a stylish leather wallet. Leather is associated with quality and timeless sophistication.
There are more prosaic benefits to choosing a leather wallet over other materials, too. Leather is extremely durable, the main reason it has been so widely used since the dawn of civilization, and long before anyone was concerned about their appearance.
Selecting the right type of leather wallet
Leather wallets might be timeless, but their design and features have nevertheless changed over the years to meet evolving needs. Indeed, the choice of wallets can be quite overwhelming when you step into a shop or browse an online store. The first step is to narrow down the style of wallet that you want. Some of the most popular choices are as follows, along with their pros and cons:
- Bi-fold wallet – this is the classic wallet design. Square or rectangular, it opens in the middle to reveal two pockets for bills, around six slots for cards and a window for your ID card. The classic design makes this a perennial favorite, but with more space for cash than plastic, it is not necessarily the most practical for today’s increasingly cashless world.
- Money clip – 50 years ago, leather money clip type wallets were all the rage. They are compact and have a similar external appearance to the bi-fold but contain a clip for banknotes. Some also have card slots, but this is really a wallet for those who still have a Cash is King attitude and who like to display their traditional values to the world.
- Tri-fold wallet – this is conceptually similar to the bi-fold, but with an extra fold. This solves the potential storage issues associated with the bi-fold, as these wallets typically have twice as many card slots, or sometimes an extra pocket for coins. The only downside is that these are a little more bulky, so can be a little awkward if you prefer to carry your wallet in a pants pocket.
- Zip wallet – this style of wallet is characterized by a zipper closure instead of the traditional clasp or snap. This adds an extra level of security, as it is impossible for cards or cash to fall out if the wallet is securely zipped shut. Zip wallets come in a choice of sizes, from simple cardholders to tri-folds. The downside is that the zip can spoil the sleek appearance of the wallet.
- Long wallet – a newer design, this type of wallet has become highly popular in the online age. As well as having slots for cards and compartments for cash, there is a section for your smartphone. It means you don’t have to carry both a wallet and a phone case, but inevitably, long wallets are quite bulky, so need to be carried in a jacket pocket, briefcase or handbag.