What’s the one fashion accessory that you absolutely cannot leave the house without? No, this isn’t some fashion lesson where the answer is a fancy hat or a scarf. It is the man’s close personal friend, the humble wallet. In fact, a wallet is so essential that you may not even have considered it an item of fashion. But consider this : what is fashion, if not expressing your personal style through the simple things in life? Your wallet is an accessory you’ve gotta flaunt every single day, so you may as well pick the best of the best.

It’s not enough for it to look good, either. A wallet has to serve its functions and last you decades if not years— while, of course, looking sleek and classic. If the wallets you buy regularly start to bulge and wear out, you need to reevaluate your choices. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Look For Quality

When you’re shopping for a wallet, the first thing to consider is quality.

We’ve already told you why it’s important to look for full grain leather, preferably Italian vegetable dyed leather. Don't fall for the tricky term "genuine leather": this actually refers to a much lower grade, and is mixed with synthetic elements. "Genuine leather" is not the same as real leather and won't last you half as long!

You also want to look for turned edges— this is where the edges of the wallet are thinned and stitched over, showing fine craftsmanship. You won’t find these features in a cheap mass-produced wallet. So find a good brand of handcrafted wallets and stick to them!

Step 2: Make A Worthwhile Investment

How terrible does that look? Now that's a wallet situation best avoided. If you’re still apprehensive about spending a little extra on a good quality wallet, here’s some quick math:

A cheap $10 department store wallet is an easy buy, but won’t last you more than a year or two at the most.

A full grain Italian leather wallet costs you only about 5x that amount, but can last you 15x longer if you take good care of it.

That means, in your average lifetime as an adult, you’d spend about
60 x $10 = $600 on cheap wallets, but only
4 x $50 =$200 on great looking wallets.
That’s two thirds of your hard earned money saved while investing in a high quality product. Score!

Step 3: Find Your Function

Not all wallets are built the same. Depending on the day and need, you might need wallets of different sizes and slots. A standard wallet type would be the bifold, which fits neatly in your front or back pocket and has space to carry enough cash, some credit and business cards. If you want to go for something more minimal, pick a money clip or cardholder— a small strip of leather that holds your cash and cards on either side. It’s super slim and fits neatly into any pocket.