If you want to look your best, feel good in your daily life, and keep all your tangible financial assets organized and accessible, you need to choose the right wallet. The thing is, everyone has different tastes, styles, and needs.
So how do you select a wallet that fits your personality?
Start With Material
First, you should think about the material you want for your wallet. Most people want a wallet that's reasonably durable, flexible, and easy to open and close. They also want a wallet that looks good and serves as a fashionable accessory.
To that end, there are essentially three different types of materials to choose from:
- Leather. Leather wallets are a classic for a reason. Leather wallets are among the most popular and have been for decades. That's because leather offers a unique blend of style, flexibility, affordability, and durability. As long as you take good care of them, leather wallets can last a lifetime - and they can withstand a ton of abuse in the meantime. At the same time, handmade leather wallets aren't crazy expensive, and they can accommodate a wide variety of needs.
- Plastic/vinyl. Plastic and vinyl wallets are typically a step down in quality from leather. They do offer some flexibility, but they don't tend to be very durable. While there are a wide variety of plastic and vinyl wallets to choose from, many of them don't function well as fashion accessories. The big upside is that plastic and vinyl wallets tend to be very inexpensive, making them perfectly suitable to anyone who just wants to save money.
- Metal. At the other end of the spectrum, we have metal wallets. Metal wallets are designed to be incredibly tough and durable, and they can hold up to almost anything without losing their form. However, they're much less flexible than leather and plastic, they tend to run heavy, and they can be expensive as well.
Ballpark a Size and Shape
Once you've selected a material that suits your personality and needs, you can start speculating about the size and shape of your wallet. Most people opt for a typical, trifold design, but there are many different layout and fold options available. Some people want a bigger wallet, as they want to be able to hold a wide variety of different possessions simultaneously. Some people want a smaller wallet, with a slimmer profile that can easily fit in a pocket. Other people want something in the middle, as they don't have a specific preference for size or form.
There are no right or wrong answers here. What's important is that you choose something that's going to serve your needs.
Select a Color
If you follow Feng Shui, you might associate different colors with specific superstitions; for example, black wallets are believed to attract prosperity and wealth. Even if you don't, you probably have at least some personal preferences for specific colors.
When choosing a wallet, these are the three primary categories of color you can consider:
- Classic. In most cases, wallets are black or some shade of brown. This is especially true among leather wallets. Many people choose a classic color for their wallet because they see it as purely functional, or because they want it to fit with as many outfits and styles as possible.
- Muted. If you want something more unique, but not too ostentatious, you might choose a muted color. Something simple, relatively neutral, yet distinguished from classic colors would be a deep red or a simple gray.
- Flashy. Of course, you can also get something flashier if you want to make your wallet something more like a fashion statement. Bright pink or orange might be a better fit for your personality.
Consider the Extras
Finally, you'll need to think about all the extras.
- Closures. How do you want the wallet to close? Many wallets simply fold, while others are secured with a snapping button or a zipper. Again, there are no right or wrong options here.
- RFID blocking. Some wallets now come with RFID blocking technology. This layer blocks certain types of frequencies, protecting your credit cards from unauthorized use.
- Customizations. You may also want to customize your wallet with specific designs or inscriptions; if you make a custom wallet from scratch, you'll have unlimited possibilities.
Set a Budget and Start Shopping
Once you've thought through all these variables and angles, you can set a budget and start shopping. There's nothing wrong with saving money and looking for good deals, but be prepared to pay extra for high-quality wallets made from excellent materials. With a budget and key aspects already decided, it shouldn't take you long to find a wallet that fits you perfectly.
