Sometimes a standard wallet just doesn’t have enough space for everything you need to bring with you. If you try cramming everything into it, you just end up with crumpled receipts, lost papers, and scratched or broken cards. This is when a long wallet becomes one of the best things you could ever buy.
Long wallets are known as checkbook wallets, or breast pocket wallets. It used to be very common for men to wear jackets with a pocket in the inner breast. It also used to be very common for people to use checkbooks, rather than credit cards. And so the checkbook wallet was born.
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What You Carry In your Wallet
Essentially, what you carry in your wallet should always dictate the kind of wallet you buy. Smaller wallets may not always suit your needs.
- Cash – One of the things you’ll want to keep in your wallet is cash. Admittedly, these days many of us carry cards, or other technology based payment methods, but cash is still needed for service tips, and some stores even offer a discount for paying in cash.
- ID – Most of us carry some form of identification in our wallets. Many wallets have a clear window specifically for carrying identification. You’ll probably only need to carry one form of ID in your wallet, such as your driver’s license.
- Credit Cards, and Store Cards – This is another area where a checkbook wallet rules over the others. These wallets tend to have more space for cards, and as the average person carries at least seven cards with them at all times.
- Business Cards – You should have some of your own business cards in your wallet. Even if you don’t have an official title for your position, you’ll never know when you could meet someone who could help you in your career, and a business card with your name, number and email address is a much more professional way of delivering this information to them.
- Photos – Some of us like to carry photos of our families or loved ones in our wallets, but always make sure that you carry a copy of the photo, and not the original.
- Checkbook – If you need to carry your checkbook with you, then the only way you can is with a checkbook wallet.
What To Think About When You’re Buying A Checkbook Wallet
Before you make any purchase, there’s a few things you need to think about.
Use
The very first thing you need to think about is how you plan to use the wallet. If you work outdoors, then a soft leather wallet is probably not for you. If you spend a lot of time in meetings, or other places where you’d need to impress people then a funky color or design is not going to help you. Once you know how and where you’re going to be using the wallet, you can start to think about the other choices.
Materials
You’ll need to think about what materials you want your wallet to be made from. Most wallets are made from leather, but there are a few other material options.
Leather
There are two choices in leather wallets – cow hide leather, and alligator. Cow leather varies, depending on the grade, and the age of the cow. Calfskin, for example, is extremely soft to the touch. Alligator leather should have a distinct pattern, and expert craftsmanship, but it is also commonly faked, so you’ll need to be sure that the wallet you’re buying was made from genuine materials.
Cotton
Cotton wallets aren’t as durable as leather, but they can be more vibrant. These wallet have more scope in terms of design, and you can often find one in a pop culture style.
Synthetic
Wallets made from synthetic materials tend to be for more casual, everyday use. They can be made from a wide variety of materials, and in a range of colors and designs. This does mean that they aren’t really suitable for formal occasions.
Color
Again, the color you need would depend on how you plan to use the wallet. If you want an every day checkbook wallet, then you can choose any color, or design you want. If you’re planning to use it for formal, or semi-formal event, then you’re best going with a dark brown, or black leather wallet.
Construction
How the wallet has been made will affect how durable it is. Look for turned edge construction, which means that the edge of the leather has been thinned, before being stitched into place. This is one of the most durable ways to make a wallet. You should also look at the stitching itself. Look for high quality stitching, without any lose threads.
Brand And Logos
Most branded wallets have the logo somewhere on the design, but if you need to use your wallet in a more formal setting, you should look for brands that have subtle logos. The brand itself is entirely down to personal preference.
Looking After Your Leather Checkbook Wallet
Most checkbook wallets are made from leather, and once you’ve found the perfect wallet you’ll need to take care of it. Try to clean off any stains before they’ve set using a damp cloth. If the stain has set then you’ll need to use a leather conditioner. You should never use a household soap to clean leather as it can dry it out and damage it. If you’re cleaning the wallet, make sure you empty it out first, and keep it in shape. After cleaning you should wipe it with a clean, dry cloth, and leave it to dry naturally at room temperature. Never use any sort of artificial drying techniques with leather. You should also treat it regularly with a leather cream which can help to lock in moisture and prevent the wallet from becoming cracked and damaged.