A Luxury Wallet Is the Low-Key Flex You’ve Been Waiting For

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Picking out a wallet seems like a small thing—hell, a wallet is a small thing, physically—but which one you choose can be a pretty big deal. I'm not talking about it being some grand declaration of identity or anything like that (though if you'd like yours to be, by all means, go for it with something that speaks deeply to your personal aesthetics). Instead, I'm talking about the simple fact that this little bit of leather or canvas or what have you is going to be with you constantly, holding and protecting some very valuable stuff. And seeing as you really only need one, there's a decent argument to be made for investing in a luxury wallet.

What do I mean by "luxury wallet"? Basically, one that costs more than the amount of cash that will generally be residing within it. You can go big, or you can go really big, but you should be willing to lay down a few extra bucks while buying it so that you can reap the rewards of carrying not just a wallet but the wallet—your perfect wallet—for months and years to come. You could opt for a designer billfold emblazoned with an instantly recognizable logo or a slim and subdued card case that only whispers luxury.

You could choose buttery-soft leather or hard-wearing coated canvas or even a combination of the two. And if you're really feeling bold, you could get yourself something louder than any piece of clothing you'd dare wear, something with a bold-as-hell pattern or print that's a crowd-pleaser, for sure, but is mostly just for you. Whatever you do, though, start with one of the 18 options on this list.

Biggie Medusa Coin Bifold Wallet

There's even a slot for your keys in this wallet! Talk about luxury.

Meisterstück Leather Wallet

That little star emblem? When you know, you know.

Intrecciato Leather Billfold Wallet

The Italian fashion house's woven intrecciato leather is still one of its most sought-after offerings—and with good reason.

Ophidia GG wallet

Doesn't get much more iconic than the "GG" and the green-and-red Gucci stripe.

Saffiano Leather Wallet

Simple, elegant, classy. A wallet that speaks for itself.

Classic Leather Bifold Wallet

Something orange to hold all your green. This is a pop of color you'll love keeping in your pocket.

Logo-Print Leather Billfold Wallet

Keep it clean, classy, and Celine, of course. This minimalist wallet is up for anything.

Leather T-Line Billfold Wallet with Money Clip

If the grained leather exterior wasn't an old money look, the money clip on the side of this wallet sure is. C'mon, functionality!

Antigona Leather Bifold Wallet

Get yourself a wallet that screams "LUXURY." Or, a wallet that screams "GIVENCHY." They're basically synonyms.

Puzzle Edge Leather Bifold Wallet

A luxury wallet for the arts-and-crafts set.

Full-Grain Leather Billfold Wallet

If anyone can make luxury into something three inches tall and four inches wide, its Brunello Cucinelli.

Embossed Leather Billfold Wallet

Does your current wallet have an embossed ribcage on it? No? Why not??

Charcoal Check Slim Bifold Wallet

A wallet you'll love forever and ever—especially if you opt for the free custom monogram service.

White Leather Wallet

There's something to be said for luxury that's this understated.

Scritto Venezia Leather Wallet

This one, with its rugged vintage look, has the same sort of ancient opulence that museum artifacts do.

'For Money' Bi-Fold Wallet

In case you ever need a reminder what wallets are good for.

Full-Grain Leather Billfold Wallet

It's a classic that's as timeless as money itself.

The key factors to consider before purchasing a luxury wallet…

Brand: The maker is crucial in all luxury—and that especially includes wallets. Because what you’re buying isn’t just an item, but the cachet behind the name. Companies try their damndest to extol their histories and clout, courting customers into their world. They want you to be inhabitants, and a great entryway is through small leather goods.

Material: Leather is the standard material used for luxury wallets, the best is sourced from Italian tanneries and produced meticulously by master craftsmen—or at least overseen by them. And of course there are a variety of leather treatments: smooth calf, pebbled, croc-effect, saffiano, and woven being a few.

Size: Whatever floats your boat. Just make sure your wallet is able to fit into your pocket or wherever you want to hold it.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to luxury wallets, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these picks are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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