I always use vintage wallets. They are beautifully made with details you don't see in today's wallets. There's something timeless and elegant about them. Finding a beautiful vintage wallet in good condition can be difficult. Sometimes, with time, the stitching begins to disintegrate, and some I've found can smell of mildew from poor storage. Thankfully there are some amazing vintage-inspired wallets being made today that have all the classic look of vintage, and often the same excellent materials, but without the "Where was this that it picked up this smell?" or "How much longer will this last?" qualities of real vintage.

Types of wallets

Clutch

The clutch purse originated in the Victorian era when women only needed a place to stash smelling salts and a handkerchief. They are small, elegant purses, and were eventually translated into long, elegant wallets through the insertion of organizational slots and pockets for change. They are sleek and look very sexy and feminine in a woman's hand, and are probably the most elegant wallet.

Many of the clutch wallets today have a mass-produced, utilitarian feel--anyone who's seen them in rows in a bin at the department store knows what I mean! There are some that maintain the same elegance of the past. Hobo International makes my favorites, although they are pricey. You do get what you pay for though; I always recognize a Hobo International wallet from across the room--they are so well made and designed and totally un-missable.

The Princess Wallet

Largely from the 60s and 70s, the princess wallet is a great everyday wallet. It's small, so it won't take up much room in your purse (and can be slipped into a back pocket), but generally comes with its own coin purse and credit card organizer, so you don't loose any space. The plethora of details on the flap--from stitching to silver studs to jewels--give an enormous amount of variety to these wallets, and I always have a few in a drawer because I can never resist an especially cute one at the flea market!

The Coin Purse

There is something so elegant about a coin purse. I love the small elegance of it in a woman's hands, the careful pinch to open the clasp, and the peering in with the gentle jingle of change. The smallness of the wallet forces the hands into very feminine shapes, plus it's a great way to carry change and any small good luck charms that you may not want to leave home without. Cash, ID, and credit cards can be tossed in as well if the purse is big enough, and it can be a cute, compact wallet for a night out.