Submitted by courtFTW t3_z8wvp6 in BuyItForLife
I am sick and tired of buying a $15 Target wallet every 1-2 years for it to fall apart...forcing me to buy another.
I'm looking for a longer women's wallet...even better if it's zippered. I am not interested in the traditional bifold that most men carry.
I do not care about price, I want a quality wallet that will last me a long time.
I know a few women who have gotten some longevity out of their coach wallets.
Saddleback leather
If you have Instagram, I'd suggest taking a look on there to find an independent maker you like. There are quite a few of us these days. Otherwise, there are also makers-related subs here on Reddit.
Fossil is excellent for wallets and purses
I have a Fossil wallet that I bought used 6+ years ago and it is still going strong, no sign of wear. If I were to get another one, though, I would get it in leather instead of the quilted exterior I have to make it easier to clean. The one I have is a lot like their Liza Zip Around clutch - I like that it zips all the way up and folds all the way open.
Another vote for Hobo. Bought my wife a Hobo wallet as a Christmas gift about 15 years ago, still looks great after all those years of swimming around in her purse.
I second fossil wallets & bags.
Third for fossil! I’ve had my fossil for at least 6 years now and it’s really held up, no real damage besides normal wear, and even then it’s in really good condition. Plus I found mine at I think TJ Maxx to even better on the budget!
There are probably a thousand leather wallet brands out there that would hold up. I've had mine for at least 15 years. It's the kind that holds a checkbook, if you want. I think it's by Giani Bernini.
In my opinion there is no finer leather than Italian leather. Italy has been renown for many many decades for its leather goods.
Coach leather wallets are really nice. If you aren’t picky about the colors, check out the sale section.
Louis Vuitton makes a very, very nice leather zippy wallet. It’s pricey, of course, but you will probably be able to bequeath it to someone several decades from now.
husband has a fossil wallet he got 20 years ago from an outlet store
I have a marc jacobs one that is pebbled leather (it matches a bag I have) and it's in great condition. I will always go real leather on a wallet. I bought mine off of poshmark.
if you go zippered, that's a place that will probably eventually need restitching or repair, just a fair warning (however I had a cheap one of those for many years that lived in my purse and I LOVED IT--I only got rid of it when the zipper started getting sticky and my phone got too big to zip inside it).
Check out wallets from Portland Leather Goods. They have a 30% off sale going on right now. After that, their sale reverts to 20%/25% off (it’s always ongoing). They use full grain leather. I have some purses and they take a beating very well.
https://www.thehouseofflynn.com/collections/wallets I got it because it fits a Happy Planner Skinny Classic size planner in it... And though I've not really been using the planner side for a while I still have some HP discs with some envelopes from HP to have cash and other goodies (There is enough room without it but I like the envelopes)
The one I have is velvet so won't last as long as a leather one but I've had a few years and there is JUST the slight signs of wear!
I have a smaller version of this wallet and I love it (I also have a purse that has held up to indelicate handling lol). I also regularly use a little card holder I purchased from coach eons ago that still looks new.
I’ve been using the Fjallraven Kanken Travel Wallet and enjoying that. It fits my phone and an extra mask too.
Dooney and Burke makes some beautiful women’s wallets. My wife loves hers.
I have a Kavu wallet that I bought years ago. I bought it at an airport (not sure which one), so it was probably more expensive than it needed to be. I've probably had it 8-10 years.
Fossil
Gucci.
I have a Furla wallet I got as a Christmas gift 7 or so years ago, still going strong.
My wife likes Kate Spade, and her stuff has always been good. Bought her a KS wallet almost 15 years ago and it still going strong.
If you want something a little less fasion and little bit better build quality, check out saddleback leather / love 41 (husband designs saddle back leather, wife designs love 41).
https://saddlebackleather.com/continental-leather-wallet
https://saddlebackleather.com/womens-leather-wallets/
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They won't win any design award, but having spent more than I care to admit to on SB and L41 products over the years I can tell you they are all absolutely fucking bullet proof.
I got my girlfriend a Louis Vuitton wallet for Christmas in 2018. Still like new to this day!
There are gendered wallets??? Bifold isn't the only kind?? I thought the rest were just coin purses...
Second this. Coach wallets are durable, last long, and look like new, too.
I don’t know if LV quality went down but so far haven’t had a good experience neither with their wallet nor with their key holder. Threads are everywhere and the button on a key holder has peeled off and looks garbage.
Coach wallets are way cheaper but have top-notch quality, imo.
Saddleback Leather
My Coach wallet is over 20 years old. Looks perfectly fine. I expect it is BIFL. The thing is, though, I went to their website and comparable leather wallets appear to be no longer available. Cheaper plastic ones have replaced them. I would look for a vintage one if I were in your position.
This may sound odd, but I’ve had my Cole Haan wallet for 9 years now - it’s been through the wash (don’t ask) and is still perfect. I’ve conditioned it a couple times tho - mostly after heavy water exposure.
I have a Fossil wallet that’s held up great for 5+ years. They seem to have switched to “eco leather” for a lot of their products now and I am not confident that the faux leather will hold up as well.
Hobo is more expensive but their products are still leather. I’ve had a card sleeve from Hobo for 15 years and it still works fine (though the colors are noticeably worn).
I got a fossil zipper wallet at tj maxx about 6 years back as well and it looks and functions just like it did when I bought it! It’s been tossed around in various bags with lots of other stuff, keys, etc. never let me down yet. Daily use.
Ah yes I should have clarified! Their leather lasts a long time but I wouldn’t touch the faux stuff with a ten foot stick. I have zero luck with vinyl lasting
I've had a Kate Spade wallet for like 5 years now.
Yes yes yes! Coach is my favorite luxury brand but it’s also my favorite wallet brand. I have a mini collection of their keychain, wristlet, and clutch wallets and not ONE has broken on me or even gotten too scratched up that I’ve had to replace it. I’ve been using one keychain wallet in particular for the past 3 years and she’s still going strong. Buying through Coach Outlet is the way to go, they always have sales and you’ll get their quality at super cheap prices!
Etsy has a lot of vintage coach products.
I didn't realize that. That's disappointing. There's a store near me that had leather last spring. Bought one for my mother's birthday. Might be some brick and mortar with them in stock as well? My info is sort of old though.
I’ve had my coach outlet wallet for 5+ years of daily use and it looks great!
The lv zippy are very nice and you can find the leather ones second hand for a reasonable price. I have one in black epi made in 2009 or something and it looks great and hasn't changed since I bought it in 2017. I have an old key holder from 1998 that is in awesome condition too and all I do is clean and condition them once a year. Idk about the new ones but the 2012 and older leather is probably bifl. Japanese eBay is a good source for these.
I bought one for my sister years ago at the Coach store in the outlets, and this time of the year they usually have a 40%-50% sale going on. She still issues it daily and loves it. I’m stoked she’s gotten such longevity out of it.
I was gifted a Prada wallet over 10 years ago that’s going strong, looks good and has not needed any repairs
I was just coming to say hobo. I have a Rachel that's over 15 years old and I love it. I can't recommend their bags though... thought the quality would translate and sadly it does not.
Something from a luxury leather brand will last a long time. I’ve carried a Gucci card holder in my pocket everyday for 3 years and it still has the same elasticity when you take a card out as it did new. Still looks amazing.
This is what I recommended as well. Brands like that make awesome quality leather goods. My Gucci card holder has held up better than anything I’ve tried before, and it gets a lot of use
I was going to also recommend Portland Leather Goods. I have pretty much exclusively used their bags and one of their wallets for the last 2 years, and they still look great.
Kate spade as well! I had this leather wallet for over 3 years and it still looked as good as new! Only had to recently replace it when it was stolen
I second that. I was gifted one… more than 15 years ago and it’s still in perfect condition. Wouldn’t say like new but there’s no real sign of wear and tear on it and I’ve used it continually since then. Edit: just to add, mine’s fabric with a zipper. Zipper’s top shape still.
I believe the term for them is a continental wallet- their dimensions are about the same as a dollar bill laid out flat. they're sized for purses rather than pockets.
Not specifically for women but Tanner Goods Trucker wallets are great
Just got my wife a solid one from portland leather. . .https://www.portlandleathergoods.com/products/accordion-zip-wallet
Thanks for the mention!
Definitely Hobo! Sometimes you can find on sale at a Nordstrom rack too (if you have one near you).
Some women put money between their boobs. Should last a lifetime
Thirded! They come in great colors too. I've bought their Almost Perfect line a few times, and haven't noticed any issues or imperfections.
Thomas Burberry (not standard Burberry). My wife’s is in tip top shape years in. I’m also partial to Montblanc. Solid craftsmanship!
Kipling!
If you don't mind the price you can commission a wallet over at r/leatherclassifieds
There's plenty of people selling their premade ones too
I bought a Kate spade passport wallet. Have had it since 2012 doesn’t be even have a scratch, loose thread or tear. They are the literal best.
Kate Spade New York. I bought one six years ago that’s still in perfect condition, the only reason I replaced it is because it’s hot pink and it’s too bright for me now. The one I bought was similar quality, and the prices in the outlets mean it’s very worth it
I've had my Fossil wallet for over three years now and it still looks new.
Which isn't really a long time, but it's apparently way better than Target.
I can confirm Coach wallets last, I have a friend who has one that's still going and I believe she's had it for around ten years. Of course, idk if newer Coach wallets are just as good.
My fossil wallet is still going strong after several years of near daily use. I love it.
I have a Tory Burch one that is zippered and excellent.
Look for all parts to be heavy high quality leather and hardware. Avoid any little plastic windows for ID.
I recently bought a small purse at the suggestion of my doctor from my doctor from an independent maker and I am in love. The quality is amazing. If the maker knows his craft and knows how to translate that into good photographs, it’s absolute gold. I prefer to support small businesses, especially artists and makers. I think that’s really important in this economy.
I have a Coach coin purse I’ve used since 1990. It’s almost black from sitting in the bottom of my purses all that time. I also have a Kate Spade wallet I’ve carried 15+ years. Both sit in my King Ranch purse that I have been carrying 10+ years. I don’t like changing bags or wallets very often.
I picked up a leather wallet off the sidewalk in 1995 that was pillaged of its contents and have been using it for almost 28 years. Can't give you any advice on that one.
I was about to say Coach. From the outlet store.
I have also had a leather fossil wallet for over 5 years. It is doing great! I also have a leather fossil bag I found in a thrift store about 15 years ago, I suspect it was about 10 years old when I bought it, I use it frequently and treat the leather every couple of years, it’s still gorgeous!
Seconding Bellroy. My wallet from them is 8 years old and still looks brand new.
_savinG_Grace_ t1_iydpzev wrote
I bought a Hobo brand leather wallet back in 2015 that’s still in great condition. I have no plans to replace it any time soon.