The marketplace has a sheer amount of wallets that vary in shapes, sizes, and materials. Knowing the different types will help you choose one that’s comfortable and practical for every day use or one that you can proudly whip out in a five-star restaurant.
Wallets existed before paper banknotes and were once used to carry more than just money and cards. Knapsacks, or small fabric packs with drawstrings, were worn by ancient Greeks attached to their belts and used to carry daily essentials, including their lunch and coins.
When people started using paper money during the Renaissance period, the wallet evolved into a purse made from leather and came with specially made pockets for identification cards such as calling cards and visiting cards.
In the 1800s, the wallet became the pre-modern cigarette case as it was used chiefly to carry tobacco and smoking accessories.
At the turn of the century, the wallet became the modern wallet as we know it today. It’s foldable, pocket-sized, and used for carrying paper bills.
Types of Wallets for Women and Men
Belt Wallet
This “wallet” is actually a belt that has a secret compartment which is a zippered section to hold documents, folded bills, and anything else that is small. It has the same look and functionality as a regular belt.
In fact, no one should ever know that it is both a belt and a wallet, and even though it won’t make you a secret agent, you can easily feel like one because of its design and overall look. It is an all-terrain belt that is both stylish and attractive and is easy to get in and out of as well. If you’re out bike-riding or shopping and don’t feel like carrying around your wallet, the belt wallet is the perfect solution every single time.
Bi-fold Wallet
A bi-fold wallet is not too big or too small; in fact, it is a perfect size for everyone. Bi-fold wallets are usually rectangular in shape and fold in half. They are both stylish and compact, and they feature a long open pocket that can be used for your money and sometimes different slots for the placement of credit cards, ID cards, and even receipts.
Bi-fold wallets often have coin purses in them as well. Their slim profile means they can be folded in half very easily to fit inside a jacket pocket or a pocket in the back of your pants, as well as in a bag or briefcase. They are a very common type of wallet, and very popular as well.
Card Case Wallet
The card case wallet usually has a place only for ID cards and credit cards, and sometimes even your bills. It is compact, sleek, and very slim, and it is made to be carried anywhere you need to go with comfort and ease.
Some card case wallets have a money clip attached to one side to hold your bills, but they all have one thing in common – their main emphasis is to hold your ID and credit cards and little else, making them very convenient for millions of people, especially men.
ID Card Wallet
With an ID card wallet, you never again have to worry about where your driver’s license or other ID card is. ID card wallets offer an ID card window and sections for cards and banknotes. They are practical, compact, and extremely convenient, and when you use them, you’ll know that your ID card is always close at hand.
Although sometimes used by women, these wallets are used mostly by men because for the most part, men do not like bulky, large wallets. They want just enough of a wallet to hold what they need to bring around with them and nothing else, making the ID card wallet just perfect for their needs.
Large Wallet
Also called long wallets or breast wallets, large wallets feature numerous internal compartments and are specially designed to fit in the inside pocket of your jacket. They do not accommodate as much space as you think they will, and they have pockets that are large enough to hold all currency sizes.
Large wallets are usually rectangular in size and are very long because they are meant to accommodate a lot of items. Usually folded in half, they are made to hold a lot of items without being too bulky, and most of them are, indeed, made this way.
Leg Wallet
The best thing about the leg wallet is that no one will even know it is there. You can wear a leg wallet either on your lower leg or around your calf, and it is a great place to safely hide an ID card, money, or even a passport. It is tactically designed to fit securely yet comfortably and to fit discreetly so that no one knows it’s there.
It has zippered pockets to organize items such as your currency and your passport, and it has stretchable straps that secure around your lower leg and underneath your pants. If you want to keep valuables hidden from street robbers and pickpockets, the leg wallet is for you. As a matter of fact, this is just what it is made for, and if you buy it for this specific reason, you will never be disappointed.
Not only do these types of wallets come in various colors, but they are usually water-resistant or waterproof, strong, and often semi-transparent as well. They are usually strengthened with either stainless steel or copper, especially when used to make items such as wallets, and can also be made resistant to corrosion.
