Any advice for croc wallet?

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#16
ODEDIHAIMS said:
i posted in the BV and LV forums a few days ago, bc the two I’m considering are from those lines but I think there may be more experience with croc wallets here. I’m IN LUST over the green from LV. My concern is how it will hold up. I would be using it frequently, if not daily, and for many many years. I have seen very beautiful matte croc Béarn wallets from H online as well but I already have one in Barenia that frankly I don’t use bc I currently use a small zippy Barenia wallet. (This was to tie this thread into this forum). Any advice about wear or use would be appreciated. Pictures would be awesome!

I know that some may say to spend money instead on a croc bag but I don’t see myself doing that in the near future. This is my comfort level for now. TIA!
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Hi! I cannot speak for the LV wallet in croco, as I have never owned one of those, but decades ago, I purchased a genuine black crocodile wallet that was not made by any known designer brand, at least none that I had heard about here in the USA. I purchased it from an upscale handbag boutique in NJ, even though it was imported from Italy, and that wallet lasted for a good 20 years with everyday use. It had such a wonderful sheen to it. What did the wallet in in the end was not the crocodile exterior, but the black material lining inside the dollar bill section which eventually ripped and tore in places. It was by far the very best wallet I have ever owned. Superior in every single way. I thought it was a very high price back in the day -- about $225 or so about 33 years ago! LOL.
 
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#17
QuelleFromage said:
I would personally have a hard time with a croc wallet - it's so hard to baby a wallet unless you dedicate a pocket in your bag. And even then, so much handling.
In an almost cash-free society I find full-sized wallets not that useful anyway...a Calvi is enough.
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Thank you. WHat you say rings true. I’m perfectly happy with my small zippy wallet and have never switched to my Barenia Béarn. I only started thinking of an exotic wallet when I saw this green.
 
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#18
StaceyLyn said:
I'm loathe to burst your bubble but you asked so here goes. I have more-than-I'll-ever-need reptilian wallets. They are from multiple high-end brands. From my 25+ years of experience, I'd suggest you consider this before buying: They ALL need some level of coddling, as your hands will be all over them. I handle mine more gingerly than my croc bags since the bag handles are the only part that bear the brunt of my constantly-lotioned hands. Also, Hermes hands-down, bar none, makes the best, most durable alligator/croc wallets. BV comes in second but only if you choose matte. Their lisse wallets lose their lustre surprisingly fast. Their matte wallets (and clutches) are very durable. The others brands I own are not worth mentioning as they are sub-par in both durability and quality. I will say the WORST offender was I brand that rhymes with "nada." LOL! Bought a lisse, noir wallet at their Roman Boutique. It was scratched, scuffed, dulling and falling apart within 4 months! Never again with that brand!
One caveat: I rotate my wallets frequently (every month). The fact the some degrade as quickly as they do is surprising.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for bursting my bubble. This is very helpful. I don’t want to make an expensive mistake bc I am caught up in lust.
 
#21
BagsRGreat said:
Hi! I cannot speak for the LV wallet in croco, as I have never owned one of those, but decades ago, I purchased a genuine black crocodile wallet that was not made by any known designer brand, at least none that I had heard about here in the USA. I purchased it from an upscale handbag boutique in NJ, even though it was imported from Italy, and that wallet lasted for a good 20 years with everyday use. It had such a wonderful sheen to it. What did the wallet in in the end was not the crocodile exterior, but the black material lining inside the dollar bill section which eventually ripped and tore in places. It was by far the very best wallet I have ever owned. Superior in every single way. I thought it was a very high price back in the day -- about $225 or so about 33 years ago! LOL.
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Wow, thanks for sharing that. Sounds like a fabulous purchase. I don’t dream of owning lots of items just a few amazing quality pieces that I can use for a long time, like that one. What an amazing cost per wear that wallet was!
 
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#22
eternallove4bag said:
As much as I love the sight of a croc wallet, I know for me it would be impractical because I like to slip in my compact silk in wallet into my coat or laptop bag most days when I am stepping out for coffee at work or otherwise... the exotic skin would get totally ruined.. for me wallets r meant to be used and abused [emoji28]
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I use and abuse my things too. I put my little Barenia zippy in my bag next to my car keys all the time. Then I just rub out the scratches. :biggrin:
 
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#25
I would heavily advice against croc wallets. They look stunning however the attention you need to care for it is NOT worth it. I have a croc cardholder from Gucci and honestly I have to be so careful with it that it drives me insane. It just sits in my closet now. But boy do croc wallets look gorgeous!

Unless you're okay with it getting used and abused then you should totally go for it. I'm super anal about marks and scratches so I would go bananas hahahaha!
 
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#26
I have five Hermes wallets and one of them is Croc. I have only used it once. I love my regular H Bearn wallet and am too lazy to change. That was why my SA was not able to sell me a very gorgeous Constance Croc wallet the other day.

The Croc one is very enjoyable to stare at though.

I only change wallets if I am using my C18's. That is about the only purse that would give me the motivation.
 
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#29
I think alligator and crocodile items are much more robust than is generally thought. It is just because they are proportionately much more costly than similar quality ordinary leather goods that people are scared by them and make a lot of being careful with them. The price mark up on a Calvi seems extortionate but not the various bi-fold and other wallets.
When you buy your wallet, use it evey day and get pleasure from it until it wears out. Then decide if it was an expensive mistake or not.

FWIW I have wide (40mm) croc watch strap that I have had for well over a year. It is on and off my wrist daily and it shows no signs of wear.
 
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