20 Best Wallets for Women That Balance Organization and Style

Bifolds, trifolds, cardholders, and more.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Best Wallets for Women

InStyle / David Hattan

Of all the accessories you can own, your wallet is perhaps the most important. It’s one that you’ll reach for almost every day, which is why choosing one that’s practical and suits your needs is imperative. Style aside, functionality is important to keep in mind, ensuring it can fit whatever you consider “essential” — whether it’s an ID and credit card or…your whole life — and considering how much wear and tear it’s subject to, it should be durable to boot.

There’s been a movement toward cardholders and magnetic pockets as we gravitate away from using cash, while cardless payment options like Apple Pay replace the need for us to pull out our physical cards at all. Factor in the micro bag boom of the last few years, and it’s clear why we’ve seen an influx of slim, compact, and micro-mini options. Still, classic bifold, trifold, and generously sized continental wallets will always have their place, especially for those who prefer something more spacious. To source the best wallets for women, we researched dozens of options of all shapes and sizes and tapped design and style experts to weigh in.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Madewell The Essential Zip Wallet at Madewell.com (See Price)
Jump to Review
Best Budget:
A New Day Double Zip Wallet at Target ($15)
Jump to Review
Best Splurge:
Bottega Veneta Medium Cassette Leather Bifold Zip Wallet at Bloomingdales ($920)
Jump to Review
Best Leather:
Nisolo Classic Wallet at Amazon ($100)
Jump to Review
Best Pouch:
Comme Des Garcons Dot Embossed Small Pouch at Nordstrom ($194)
Jump to Review
Best Nylon:
Baggu Nylon Wallet at Baggu.com (See Price)
Jump to Review
Best Coin Purse:
Chloé Marcie Small Leather Coin Purse at Bloomingdales ($360)
Jump to Review
Best Continental:
Cuyana Duo Zip Wallet at Cuyana.com (See Price)
Jump to Review
Best Bifold:
Charles & Keith Midori Geometric Top-Zip Wallet at Charleskeith.com (See Price)
Jump to Review
Best Trifold:
Acne Studios Musubi Trifold Wallet at Nordstrom ($440)
Jump to Review

Best Overall

Madewell The Essential Zip Wallet

View On Madewell.com View On Shopbop.com

What We Love: This zippered bifold wallet is small and compact but includes plenty of organizational compartments.

What We Don’t Love: The coin compartment is on the smaller side.

We’re giving top honors to this impressive little bifold from Madewell. The Essential wallet is small and compact, making it ideal for swapping between bags of both micro and gargantuan in size. Still, despite its slim appearance, it packs plenty of organizational features necessary for carrying, well, all of the essentials. Four card slots will hold your ID and credit cards, while an interior bill compartment is perfect for stashing cash and receipts. It also includes an interior snap compartment, ideal for storing coins and other important bits and bobs, while a zip-around closure ensures your goods stay put and safe. It’s available in neutral black and brown, but we’re partial to Wild Poppy, a punchy pinky-orange that certainly won’t get lost in the sea of your handbag contents. And should you wish to size down even more, it’s also offered in a small version with its own fun assortment of colors and fabrics.

Material: Leather | Closure: Zipper | Size: 4 (H) x 4.33 (W) inches | Compartments: 4 card slots, 1 bill compartment, and 1 snap coin compartment

Best Budget

A New Day Double Zip Wallet

Target A New Day Double Zip Wallet

Target

View On Target $15

What We Love: This sleek continental wallet features a variety of compartments and won’t break the bank.

What We Don’t Love: The double zipper is somewhat bulky.

Good news: You don’t have to drain your current wallet in order to afford a new one. This spacious continental style costs less than 20 bucks, yet it’s designed with plenty of features to keep things organized. In its interior, you’ll find a generous 12 card slots, perfect for storing everything from credit cards to gift cards. It also has two interior bill compartments, both protected by their own zipper closure, and a middle zipper pocket that can hold spare change, hair ties, and receipts. Its glossy croc-embossed exterior is sleek and stylish, so much so that we’d be keen to wear it as a wristlet — which we can, thanks to the included wristlet strap. Overall, if you’re one to stuff your wallet, this option is a no-brainer thanks to its impressive features and even more impressive price point.

Material: Polyurethane | Closure: Zipper | Size: 4 (H) x 8 (W) x 1.5 (D) inches | Compartments: 12 card slots, 2 interior bill compartments, and 1 middle zipper pocket

Best Splurge

Bottega Veneta Medium Cassette Leather Bifold Zip Wallet

Bloomingdale's Bottega Veneta Medium Cassette Leather Bifold Zip Wallet

Bloomingdale's

View On Bloomingdales $920 View On Bottegaveneta.com

What We Love: This wallet is the epitome of luxury: It’s high quality, functional, and super pretty.

What We Don’t Love: The snap closure doesn’t feel as secure as a zipper.

Simply put, this Bottega Veneta bifold is peak luxury, marrying the brand’s superior quality and craftsmanship with functionality and style. The snap-closure bifold wallet includes all the compartments you need for daily use: a generous 10 card slots, an interior bill pocket for cash, four slip pockets for storing receipts and other important notes, and a zippered coin compartment. Utilizing the brand’s signature woven leather details, it’s crafted in quality Italian leather built to last. (We also appreciate that it’s subtly pebbled, deeming it far less prone to scratches than its smoother counterparts.) The dark green is quite subtle, adding just a hint of color that feels subdued enough not to clash with the rest of your accessories. If you’re looking to treat yourself to a high-quality, timeless-yet-interesting designer piece, you really can’t go wrong with this stunner — not to mention, it’ll set you back a few thousand less than a Cassette bag.

Material: Leather | Closure: Snap | Size: 3.5 (H) x 5.7 (W) x 0.8 (D) inches | Compartments: 10 card slots, interior bill compartment, 4 slip pockets, and 1 zipper coin compartment

Best Leather

Nisolo Classic Wallet

Nisolo Classic Wallet

Nisolo

View On Amazon $100 View On Nisolo.com View On Target $75

What We Love: This minimalist wallet boasts ample storage and is made with sustainability in mind.

What We Don’t Love: The magnetic closure seems less secure than a snap or zipper.

There’s a lot to love about this simple leather wallet. Minimalist and designed with functionality in mind, it features just the right amount of storage and organization necessary for your daily essentials, nothing extra, to cut back on bulk. Six slots will hold your most important cards, while the internal zipper pocket can be used for storing bills and coins. But what we really appreciate about this one is the brand's transparency. Always striving to be as sustainable and ethical as possible, it scores all of its products across 200 sustainability metrics that not only help hold it accountable but also provide a breakdown of its social and environmental impact for potential customers — a report card, of sorts. Needless to say, this one scores pretty high. And considering all of the above, it comes with a pretty reasonable price tag to boot.

Material: Water-resistant leather | Closure: Magnetic | Size: 4 (H) x 7.75 (W) inches | Compartments: 6 card slots and an internal zipper pocket

Best Pouch

Comme Des Garcons Dot Embossed Small Pouch

Nordstrom Comme Des Garcons Dot Embossed Small Pouch

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom $194

What We Love: This stylish pouch is multifunctional and can be used in several different ways, beyond just a wallet.

What We Don’t Love: It has no organizational compartments or card slots.

If you’re in the market for a multifunctional wallet that can carry all sorts of things, a simple pouch, like this option from Commes Des Garcons, is the way to go. A favorite of Nordstrom Women’s Fashion Director Rickie De Sole, the style is long enough to keep your cash flat and slim enough to not take up too much space. “CDG zip pouches are great wallet alternatives — they’re perfect for holding a few credit cards, loose change, and other bits and bobs like hair ties and lip balm,” she says. Crafted in sleek patent leather and embossed with polka dots for a fun twist on texture, it’s a stylish way to keep your daily essentials — as De Sole mentions, even your hair and beauty needs — together in one place and can easily be transferred from bag to bag.

Material: Embossed leather | Closure: Zipper | Size: 4 (H) x 6 (W) x .25 (D) inches | Compartments: 1 zipper pouch

Best Nylon

Baggu Nylon Wallet

Baggu Nylon Wallet

Baggu

View On Baggu.com

What We Love: This casual wallet is extremely durable and machine washable.

What We Don’t Love: The velcro closure feels less secure than a zipper or snap.

For those who prefer to carry their cash and cards in something a little more casual, this nylon wallet from Baggu is a solid option. The trifold style features four card slots and a billfold to keep the necessities on hand, and it even features a loop so you can clip it onto your keychain. While we wouldn’t call it indestructible, it’s pretty damn durable thanks to its recycled heavyweight nylon body, and it doesn’t require as much delicate care as its leather counterparts. For one, you’ll never need to worry about scratches, and should you be prone to spills, you can easily toss it in the washing machine (just be sure to remove your cash first). Bonus points for the fact that it comes in a variety of fun colors and prints ranging from wavy gingham to pool water and its affordable price point.

Material: Recycled heavyweight nylon body; recycled ripstop nylon exterior | Closure: Velcro | Size: 3 (H) x 4.25 (W) inches | Compartments: 4 card slots and 1 bill fold

Best Coin Purse

Chloé Marcie Small Leather Coin Purse

Bloomingdale's Chloé Marcie Small Leather Coin Purse

Bloomingdale's

View On Bloomingdales $360

What We Love: Four external card slots allow you to carry important cards, cash, and loose change.

What We Don’t Love: It’s quite slim, so you’ll need to be strategic about how many coins you carry with you.

Coin purses make great wallets, providing a place to keep loose singles and change, and are easy to toss in our bags as we run out the door. “It’s also a great place for receipts — or even your coat check ticket,” says Bloomingdale’s fashion director Marissa Galante Frank. But let’s be realistic — most of us aren’t carrying cash and coins as our only forms of payment, but also a credit card or two at the very least. Most coin purses don’t have separate card slots, making them difficult to pull out speedily when mixed in with the rest of our various odds and ends. That’s why Galante Frank considers this luxe option from Chloé a favorite. It’s designed with four external slots to keep important cards on hand at all times, while the slim silhouette won’t take up too much room in even the tiniest of micro bags (though you may need to be realistic about how many loose quarters you can fit).

It may come at a higher price point, but the quality is unmatched. Made in Spain with superior craftsmanship, the pebbled calfskin leather is durable and will hide any scratches you may amass over time. It’s also worth noting that Chloé is the first luxury Maison to earn its B corp certification, so you can feel good about carrying it.

Material: Leather; fabric lining | Closure: Zipper | Size: 3.25 (H) x 5.5 (W) inches | Compartments: 4 exterior card slots, 1 exterior slip pocket, and 1 interior zipper compartment

Best Continental

Cuyana Duo Zip Wallet

Cuyana Duo Zip Wallet

Cuyana

View On Cuyana.com

What We Love: This multifunctional wallet is a minimalist’s dream and can be transformed into a clutch.

What We Don’t Love: The curved design makes it taller in height than most typical continental wallets.

For those who treat their wallet as a means of keeping their entire life organized, continental wallets are the way to go. Large and spacious, they’re typically long enough to keep your bills flat and feature various slots and compartments, ensuring every single thing has its place.

As far as continental wallets go, Cuyana co-founder Shilpa Shah considers this one a game-changer. “It’s a multifunctional two-in-one wallet that also transforms into a clutch — it even has a hidden wristlet,” she says. The minimalist, curved design does make for a sharp evening bag on its own, and in addition to two spacious bill compartments and eight card slots, it also boasts a detachable zippered middle pouch for change, receipts, and all other odds and ends that can be swiftly transferred to your favorite bag. What’s more, it also comes in a variety of styles, including a luxe croc-embossed version and shimmering metallic leather — all of which are Leather Working Group certified — and can be personalized with your initials.

Material: Leather | Closure: Zipper | Size: 5 (H) x 8.6 (W) x .7 (D) inches | Compartments: 8 card slots, 2 bill compartments, and 1 detachable zipper pouch

Best Bifold

Charles & Keith Midori Geometric Top-Zip Wallet

Charles & Keith Midori Geometric Top-Zip Wallet

Charles & Keith

View On Charleskeith.com

What We Love: Despite its XXS design, it provides plenty of storage.

What We Don’t Love: The smooth surface can scratch easily.

The bifold wallet is perhaps the most classic style of wallet, and for good reason. Folding in half, it’s more compact (see: less bulky) than a trifold and smaller than a continental wallet while still providing ample storage for cards, cash, and coins. This minimalist style from Charles & Keith does just that, despite its XXS appearance. Designed with six card slots, four patch pockets, a bill compartment, and a zippered coin purse, it’ll fit all your essentials and then some, keeping them neatly tucked into its clean, compact silhouette. Capacity aside, the folded details give it a super luxe feel without the luxury price tag, making this one a no-brainer. It’s available in a few neutral hues, but we’re partial to this refreshing sage green.

Material: Faux leather | Closure: Snap | Size: 9 (H) x 11.3 (W) x 2.5 (D) centimeters | Compartments: 6 card slots, 4 patch pockets, 1 bill compartment, and 1 zipper coin compartment

Best Trifold

Acne Studios Musubi Trifold Wallet

Nordstrom Acne Studios Musubi Trifold Wallet

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom $440

What We Love: This elegant designer wallet boasts plenty of functional features with thoughtfully designed details.

What We Don’t Love: The knot closure adds some bulk.

As the name implies, trifold-style wallets fold three ways, providing three panels of space for slots, pockets, and other organizational compartments, without the length of a continental wallet (but keep in mind, they’re typically less slim than other styles). This luxe iteration from Acne Studios is our top choice, thanks to its variety of compartments — four card slots, a slip pocket, a billfold, and a side zipper pocket — and elegant feel. Minimalist in design, it features a beautiful knot-closure detail inspired by the Japanese obi sash. It’s crafted from fine Italian leather (hence the prince point) with a buffed finish, so you can breathe easy knowing it’s less likely to show wear and tear over time. If you’re going to shell out for an accessory you’ll be using on a daily basis, selecting an option that looks newer for longer is key.

Material: Leather | Closure: Snap | Size: 3.25 (H) x 4.25 (W) x .5 (D) inches | Compartments: 4 card slots, interior slip pocket, 1 bill compartment, and 1 side zipper pocket

Best Card Holder

Prada Saffiano Leather Card Holder

Prada Saffiano Leather Card Holder

Prada

View On Prada.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue $395

What We Love: Made from durable Saffiano leather, this luxe cardholder can handle some wear and tear and won’t show scratches like smooth leather.

What We Don’t Love: It can easily get lost in a larger bag.

Cardholders have become increasingly popular due to convenience, keeping necessary cards organized without taking up much space and allowing easy transfer from bag to bag. However, they also get tossed around quite a bit due to their small size, especially in larger handbags or totes, so you’ll want one that’s durable and built to last. That’s why this luxe Prada style earns the praise of personal stylist Desiree Miranda. “It's the perfect investment piece that’ll last you for years and never go out of style. It’s small and functional, holding your ID and important cards in its six card slots as your on-the-go wallet,” she says. “Prada has some of the best leather on the market, and this specific style is made from durable Saffiano.” To note, Saffiano leather has a cross-hatch embossment and wax coating, making it tougher and less likely to show wear and scratches over time.

It also features six card slots and an interior pocket, allowing easy access to your most important documents, even receipts. It comes in a beautiful assortment of colors, including a vibrant orange and pastel pink and blue, and it’s adorned with the brand’s iconic enamel triangular emblem, making for a truly eye-catching cardholder.

Material: Saffiano leather exterior; moire and Saffiano leather lining | Closure: N/A | Size: 8 (H) x 10 (W) centimeters | Compartments: 6 card slots and an interior pocket

Best Slim

Mansur Gavriel Compact Zip Case

Mansur Gavriel Compact Zip Case

Mansur Gavriel

View On Mansurgavriel.com View On Shopbop.com $135

What We Love: This mini wallet is compact and made of durable Saffiano leather.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have individual card slots.

In the age of the micro bag, we understand the need for a wallet that won’t take up too much space but will still carry the important stuff, including your cash and receipts. Enter this style from Mansur Gavriel. It’s compact and slim (hence the name), making it easy to slide in and out of narrow clutches, and despite its mini dimensions, it boasts two interior pockets with ample room to store cards and folded bills. (However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t have individual card slots, so multiple cards will need to be stacked.) The zip-around format ensures that whatever’s inside stays inside, while its durable Saffiano leather exterior will maintain its shape and appearance throughout years of wear. Customers can choose from classic tan or more eye-catching options: zebra print or holographic glitter.

Material: 100% Italian Saffiano leather; 100% Italian lambskin (lining) | Closure: Zipper | Size: 3.25 (H) x 4.25 (W) x .5 (D) inches | Compartments: 2 interior pockets

Best Water-Resistant

Rains Wallet Mini

Rains Wallet Mini

Rains

View On Rains.com

What We Love: The brand’s signature fabric is waterproof, super strong, and durable.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have a billfold.

Whether your morning commute involves weathering the elements or your day plans consist of lounging by the pool, a water-resistant wallet is a handy accessory to keep your belongings (namely, your cash) nice and dry. That’s where this style from Scandinavian label Rains comes in. Known for its fashion-meets-function approach to design, the brand crafted its mini wallet from its signature coated material, the same used for all of its waterproof outerwear. Aside from its water-repellency, it’s also extremely strong and durable, meaning you'll get plenty of use out of this style before you notice any wear and tear. And while it may technically have “mini” in its name, it’s surprisingly spacious. It’s designed with eight card slots, two internal compartments, and an internal zip pocket for organizing the essentials while protecting them from moisture.

Material: 100% polyester with polyurethane-coated exterior; 100% polyester lining | Closure: Zipper | Size: 3.5 (H) x 4.3 (W) x .8 (D) inches | Compartments: 8 card slots, 2 internal compartments, and an internal zip pocket

Best for Phone Case

Native Union Magnetic Wallet

Nordstrom Native Union Magnetic Wallet

Nordstrom

View On Amazon $50 View On Nordstrom $50

What We Love: This magnetic card holder can attach to any MagSafe phone case.

What We Don’t Love: It only features one slot.

Those who prefer to go bagless will appreciate the ease of a cardholder that attaches to your phone, like this magnetic style from Native Union that can easily be fixed to any MagSafe-enabled phone case. It’s crafted from recycled materials and bio-based faux leather for a look that’s incredibly luxe, yet nicer to the planet — in fact, it meets the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), ensuring it uses at least 20 percent recycled materials and has accurate labeling and supply-chain transparency. Unlike most card holders, this one only features one multi-card slot, but let’s face it, you’re probably not trying to attach too much to your phone. Needless to say, it’s a solid option for keeping just the basics — an ID, credit card, and transit pass — within easy reach.

Material: Recycled polycarbonate, recycled polyester microfiber, polyester microfiber, Yatay™ bio-based faux leather | Closure: N/A | Size: 3.8 (H) x 2.6 (W) x 0.3 (D) inches | Compartments: 1 multi-card slot

Best with Chain

Leatherology Small Willow Wallet on a Chain

Leatherology Small Willow Wallet on a Chain

Leatherology

View On Leatherology.com

What We Love: The detachable chain allows for easy wallet-to-purse conversion.

What We Don’t Love: Some may consider it too large to use as a wallet on its own.

Another way to go “bagless” is to, well, make your wallet your bag. Enter: Leatherology’s wallet on a chain, which is recommended by Miranda. “I love this style, as it serves the modern woman in so many ways. You can use the crossbody chain to turn your wallet into a functioning purse or simply remove it to have a spacious everyday wallet to store all your essentials,” she says.

Spacious indeed: Its roomy interior pocket can fit all iPhone models, among other small necessities, which, as a wallet, is quite generous. It also features six card slots and a billfold to keep your money organized and separate from the rest of your essentials. The magnetic envelope closure keeps your goods safe and secure, but we appreciate that it also has a zippered interior compartment for extra security. Customers can choose from a variety of color options, as well as three different monogram styles for an additional fee, and purchase an alternative chain, wristlet, and crossbody strap to tailor to their personal style. With this in mind, Miranda considers this one a great choice for gifting.

Material: Italian leather; fabric lining | Closure: Magnetic | Size: 4 (H) x 7.75 (W) x 1.6 (D) inches | Compartments: 6 card slots, 1 bill compartment, 1 zipper coin compartment, and 1 main interior compartment

Best for Travel

Minor History The Lunette Passport Wallet

Minor History The Lunette Passport Wallet

Minor History

View On Minorhistory.com

What We Love: This spacious travel wallet can fit your passport, cards, cash, and more.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have individual card slots.

There’s nothing more frustrating than having to fumble with your regular wallet and a separate passport case while rushing through the airport. (Seriously, why aren’t passports ID-sized?) That’s why, in any instance of international travel, we recommend opting for a travel wallet that’s large enough to fit your passport and then some. This spacious style from Minor History is a great option, designed with two pockets and an internal zippered pocket to easily tuck away your passport, cards, and foreign currency, keeping all your essentials organized and in one place. We also love that it’s made from structured, durable leather to ensure any important documents stay flat. It doesn’t hurt that it’s super pretty, complete with a stylish half-moon magnetic flap closure to keep your things safe and secure.

Material: Leather | Closure: Magnetic | Size: 4.73 (H) x 5.75 (W) inches | Compartments: 2 passport-sized interior pockets and a zipper coin compartment

Best Print

Coach Accordion Zip Wallet With Floral Print

Coach Accordion Zip Wallet With Floral Print

Coach

View On Coach.com

What We Love: This wallet is spacious with plenty of organizational compartments and comes in a cute print, making it easy to find in your bag.

What We Don’t Love: It’s quite large and may not fit in smaller bags.

For those who wish for their wallet to pack a bit of pizzazz, a print can make even the most basic of accessories way more exciting. Case in point? This continental style from Coach, which features a moody floral print and, from a capacity standpoint, can essentially fit your entire life. Fashion stylist and author Heather Newberger counts this style as one of her favorites for its spacious interior and the superior organization it provides. “There’s tons of room for cards — 12 slots!” she says.

Additionally, it features three full-length bill pockets for cash and receipts (no crumpled singles, here), an interior zippered pocket for change and any other loose bits you need to keep on hand, and a zip-around closure that’ll keep everything nice and safe. You can also trust that the texture and print will help mask any scratches or wear over time. “I’m dead for pebbled leather, and this wallet really delivers,” adds Newberger.

Material: Leather | Closure: Zipper | Size: 4 (H) x 7.5 (W) x .75 (D) inches | Compartments: 12 card slots, 3 bill compartments, and 1 zipper coin compartment

Best Quilted

Valentino by Mario Valentino Leonardo Zip-Around Leather Wallet

Saks Off 5th Valentino by Mario Valentino Leonardo Zip-Around Leather Wallet

Saks Off 5th

View On Saksoff5th.com

What We Love: This spacious continental wallet includes a variety of slots and compartments to keep your things organized.

What We Don’t Love: The quilting makes it slightly bulkier than other wallets.

If prints aren’t your thing, consider the luxurious look and feel of quilting to keep things interesting — which brings us to this continental style from Valentino by Mario Valentino. “Texture is the new pattern, and the quilted leather of this wallet is hitting a sweet spot,” says Newberger, who also counts this style among her favorites.

Fusing fashion and function, it features a zig-zag-quilted buttery-soft leather exterior, while the interior boasts eight card slots to fit everything from your credit card to your coffee shop’s stamp card, three billfold pockets for cash, and a zippered pocket for change and other loose odds and ends. We also love that it’s a zip-around style, ensuring all your important documents stay safe and secure. We can’t fail to mention that its texture makes it way easier to find in larger (seemingly bottomless) tote bags.

Material: Leather | Closure: Zipper | Size: 3.75 (H) x 7.75 (W) x 1 (D) inches | Compartments: 8 card slots, 3 bill compartments, and 1 zipper compartment

Best with RFID Blocker

ROYCE New York Personalized Continental RFID Leather Zip Wallet

Nordstrom ROYCE New York Personalized Continental RFID Leather Zip Wallet

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom $175

What We Love: This spacious continental wallet boasts built-in RFID technology to protect personal information.

What We Don’t Love: You can’t opt out of personalizing it.

This continental wallet is anything but big and bulky, thanks to its slim silhouette. Equipped with four interior card slots, an interior bill compartment, and a zippered exterior pocket, it ensures you can carry all the important stuff without taking up too much of your bag’s precious real estate. It's recommended by De Sole, who loves the fact that you can add your initials to make it extra personalized. You can add up to seven letters, which is more than most personalized accessories allow for — just keep in mind that you have to personalize it in order to purchase, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

But what makes this wallet special is that it has built-in RFID technology, which is thought to help protect RFID-enabled credit cards from anyone looking to steal your personal information — more on how that works, below. Considering that those concerned about RFID chip risks usually have to purchase protective blocks and covers separately, having it already included is a pretty sweet bonus.

Material: Leather | Closure: Snap | Size: Not listed | Compartments: 4 card slots, 1 bill compartment, and 1 exterior zipper compartment

Best Bright

Balenciaga Le Cagole Leather Zip Card Case

Bloomingdale's Balenciaga Le Cagole Leather Zip Card Case

Bloomingdale's

View On Bloomingdales $395 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $395

What We Love: This vibrant card case may be slim, but it packs plenty of organizational features.

What We Don’t Love: The exterior zipper pocket is quite small.

If you’ve ever thrown a black wallet in a roomy black tote bag, you understand the struggle of finding it quickly. The solution? Color. “I personally love using a bright, colorful wallet or card case — it makes them so easy to find when searching in your bag,” says Galante Frank. One of her favorites is this Balenciaga card case, a scaled-down version of the brand’s Le Cagole bag, an ode to the iconic Motorcycle bag of the early aughts.

Despite its sleek appearance, it actually features a fair amount of storage and organizational opportunities: five card slots, an exterior zipper pocket (though small), an exterior slip pocket, and an interior zip compartment to store all your spare change. Bonus points for the fact that its shiny, crinkled leather is great at hiding scratches. But really, when it comes to this wallet, it’s all about the color: The vibrant slime green ensures it’s easily spotted, even when digging through the dark depths of an oversized tote.

Material: Leather; fabric lining | Closure: x | Size: 3.1 (H) x 5.1 (W) x .4 (D) inches | Compartments: 5 card slots, 1 exterior zipper pocket, 1 exterior slip pocket, and 1 interior zip compartment

What to Keep in Mind

Size

Size is perhaps the most important quality to consider, as it’ll determine what and how much it’ll hold, plus what bag (or other means) you’ll be able to carry it in. “Shop with the size of the bag you carry in mind so you can appropriately size your wallet to what existing space you have,” says Newberger. “No one wants a wallet that takes up their entire bag, unless that’s what you desire it to!” If you’re partial to mini bags, you may want to opt for a card case, whereas a roomy tote bag will allow for an equally roomy wallet.

If you find yourself swapping between bags (and coat pockets) often, then perhaps consider Miranda’s advice. She encourages her clients to make two wallet purchases: one card case to hold the essentials and slide a pocket for quick errands and one larger wallet that’s sizable enough to include insurance cards, rewards cards, business cards, and more.

Compartments

Just as important as size is a wallet’s capacity. How much can its various compartments hold, and how well does that fit into your lifestyle? “I would get granular with yourself about what your needs are and consider how much cash you like to carry versus credit or loyalty cards, in addition to change, coupons, et cetera,” says Newberger. “Consider the number of slots the wallet allots, which are important for keeping track of your cards, as well as how many billfolds it has. It’s also important to consider where you stand on change, as well, and if you’d like a zippered pocket in your wallet to hold yours. In 2023, it feels like people are carrying change less and less, and yet it still exists and needs a place to go.”

If you carry loads of cards, cash, and change, Coach’s Accordion Zip Wallet with Floral Print is a roomy option with plenty of storage capacity, while Minor History’s The Lunette Passport Wallet is large enough to keep important travel documents in easy reach.

Durability

“Durability is important as your wallet gets a lot of handholding,” explains De Sole. Leather is one of the most popular wallet fabrications due to its overall toughness, but it’s important to note that not all leathers are created equal. “Certain soft leathers will damage easier than others,” says Miranda. “When given the option, always opt for a Saffiano or Pepe leather style. The slight ridging in the leather makes it easier to hide wear and tear, thus giving you more longevity with your wallet.”

Mansur Gavriel’s Compact Zip Case and Prada’s Saffiano Leather Card Holder are both reliable choices. For a casual feel, ripstop nylon — the same fabric used for outdoorsy items like sails, tents, and sleeping bags — can also handle quite a bit of handling. Baggu’s Nylon Wallet is a solid (and super cute) choice.

Closure

Wallets are designed with various closures ranging from magnetic to zippers, which is something to consider in terms of practicality and the safety of your belongings. According to Miranda, a zipper closure — like Madewell’s The Essential Zip Wallet — is the most likely to stay put and keep your belongings safe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should rule out a magnet, snap, or velcro, so long as you deem them sturdy and strong enough. “I recommend putting a few items in the wallet to see how it closes and ensure your stuff doesn’t fall out before you make a purchase,” says De Sole.

Versatility

Finally, versatility is something to keep in mind — in fact, Shah considers it paramount. “We want wallets that can serve multiple purposes in your wardrobe, from an elegant and robust piece at home to a compact element while on the road,” she says. The 2-in-1 Cuyana Duo Zip Wallet is a great example of this, as is the ever-multifunctional Comme Des Garcons Dot Embossed Small Pouch, both of which can double as a clutch.

Your Questions, Answered

What wallet styles are most popular?

Of the many cash-and-card-carrying iterations of the wallet out there, there isn’t one style that necessarily reigns supreme — though Newberger has noticed a gravitation away from traditional wallets (like bifolds and trifolds) and a rise in compact styles like card holders and MagSafe pockets due to convenience. “Smaller wallets and card holders are having a moment right now due to the explosion of mini and micro bags and the ability to easily transfer your core cards from one bag to another,” adds Shah.

That doesn’t mean larger styles are passé, either. “As bags get bigger (like the new Phoebe Philo tote, to name one), wallets have begun to double as day bags in some cases,” says De Sole. “Zip pouches or full continental wallets are great options to pull out for lunch or a quick errand while leaving the tote behind at the office.”

Should my wallet have an RFID blocker?

Many of today’s credit and debit cards use RFID (radio-frequency identification) chips, which allow for contactless payments by transmitting radio waves to RFID readers. While RFID-enabled credit cards typically can only be used a few inches away from a reader (unlike other RFID chips that can transmit waves up to 1,500 feet), there’s still a cause for concern that someone looking to steal your personal information can swiftly scan your card in passing. Thus, there’s been a rise in RFID-blocking technology in the form of card slides, wallets, and bags made from protective materials thought to prevent your card’s chips from being read — however, whether or not these products actually work is up for debate. That said, having an RFID blocker built into your wallet can be seen as a plus, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker, explains Miranda. “Most classic styles won’t have RFID blocking technology, but if you’re really concerned about security, I would suggest purchasing a blocker separately,” she adds.

Why Shop With Us

Jenna Igneri is a freelance writer and has been working in fashion and beauty media for over a decade. You can find her work in Refinery29, Who What Wear, The Zoe Report, Coveteur, Vice, and more.

For this story, she researched dozens of wallets ranging in style and price and consulted a team of style and design experts: fashion stylist and author Heather Newberger, Bloomingdale’s fashion director Marissa Galante Frank, personal stylist Desiree Miranda, Nordstrom women’s fashion director Rickie De Sole, and Cuyana co-founder Shilpa Shah.

Related Articles