Most men carry a wallet for its practical utility, but what it says about you to others who see it should not be neglected. Pulling a frayed wallet out from a suit jacket speaks volumes about your attention to detail, while whipping a luxury wallet out of your jeans subtly hints at your personal success even when you are not dressed to impress. Here’s how to make sure yours is always giving the impression you want.
1. Match Your Lifestyle
The finest leather wallet will not look good if it is bursting at the seams, so the first step in picking a mens wallet is to make sure it suits your needs. Think about how many cards you carry, whether you typically carry much cash, and whether each wallet is really making it easier for you to find what you need. A compact cardholder might be less hassle for somebody very busy who rarely needs cash, for example.
2. Prioritise Fit Over Flashiness
How good your wallet looks depends largely on how well it complements your overall aesthetic. For example, a classic leather wallet might suit preppy styles well, but it could look out of place with a modern urban look. This matters more than who made the wallet, so avoid big flashy designer logos. These create the impression that you are showing off rather than caring about quality and style.
3. Look for Quality and Craftsmanship
Great quality and craftsmanship will help ensure that your wallet lasts longer, but their benefits go beyond durability. The best-made wallets actually look and feel better with age. Although leather is the classic choice, there are plenty of ethical options available from major wallet manufacturers that offer the same luxurious quality. Buy the best that you can afford. Quality, like style, is more important than the manufacturer.
4. Keep It Clean
If you have already chosen a great wallet, it is important to keep it looking as good as possible. To start with, that means keeping it clean, and this includes keeping it free from both dirt and clutter. Be sure to wipe off any dirt that gets onto it, and make time occasionally to clear out old receipts, business cards, coupons, or anything else that you have collected but no longer need.
5. Stick to the Essentials
As exciting as it may be to have a beautiful new wallet, do not get carried away and start filling it with every card and note you have. No wallet looks good when it is overstuffed, and the idea of a wallet is to make it more convenient to find what you need. If you have to search through several loyalty cards just to find your ID, it is time to slim down what you are carrying.
Conclusion
As much as we would like our impressions to be formed by what we say and do, the truth is people form their opinions of us based on all kinds of cues, many of which are visual. It is why we dress well for job interviews, for example. But this extends to accessories such as wallets too. Using these tips, you can make sure your wallet helps, rather than hinders, the impression you create.