Like everything else, picking a wallet is about personal preference. There are a gazillion wallets out there, but finding a quality one — like the Bellroy Note Sleeve is a tough task, especially if you want one that you’ll carry around for years to come.
To be taken seriously, you need to need to be able to pull out your wallet with confidence. It should be neither bulky, nor too slim. It should not have a wad of cash or be filled with non-essentials such as receipts and membership cards you never use.
Despite the fact I personally carry a very simple Coach bifold (birthday present from sister), I thought it was appropriate to have a back-up wallet. On a visit to Woodbury Outlets, I ended up snagging a Dark Grey Jack Spade Wesson Leather Bill Holder for quite a discount.
The Wesson normally retails for $75, but was discounted at $59.95 and then further cut by 50 percent, bringing the total to $31 and some change.
I’ve always been a fan of the detailed care put into Jack Spade products, but have never found anything that really stood out. The wallet’s dimensions are a little larger than I’d like at 4.5 x 3.5 x 0.5-inches (W x H x D), but I can live it when I’m traveling outside of the U.S. and the taller currency bills will fit better.
I also really like the wallet because it doesn’t have any kind of logo on the outside. In my opinion, large logos are somewhat tacky. However, you will find some subtle branding on the inside.
The wallet has enough room to hold six cards and two slots to store extras. (I usually like to keep a bandaid and some Polaroids in there).
The black and white stripes give the wallet a little more punch.
Overall, I’m quite happy with the Wesson and at $31, it was a steal. Only time will tell if the leather fades gracefully or terribly. It’s probably a good time to invest in some leather cleaner, too.
Gray not your color? Jack Spade sells the Wesson Leather Bill Holder in several colors. I almost sprang for the “Fresh Green” you see above instead of the Dark Grey.
We’re not sure when it happened, but the Jack Spade cashiers are so skilled they wrapped up the wallet without us even noticing.
Price: $75
Source: Jack Spade
(Image credits: Raymond Wong/Dapper Guide)
