Durable Wallet Recommendation

[cuttlebunz]

Hello! Looking for a gift recommendation for my sister.

A little about her: she thinks it's absurd that I'm venturing into luxury goods, but hey, I earn enough money, why the heck not? She's 24, turning 25 in November (so I have some time), and currently has a Fossil trifold wallet that's nearly bursting at the seams. She tends to carry all her loyalty cards with her, which is probably why it's so massive. She mainly just throws her wallet in her Kate Spade purse, and it rarely ever leaves that purse. In that purse goes her car keys, treats and supplies for her 2 adorable dogs, and whatever else she might need that day. Her typical splurge (which she'll wrestle over for weeks and weeks) would be around the Coach/MK/Fossil price range.

I'm trying to decide what wallet to get her, since her Fossil one doesn't seem to be holding quite enough and is wearing down.

I'm mainly considering envelope style continental wallets, since I think that style would suit her need to pack her wallet best.

LV Sarah in Epi Leather | link

• Pros: I checked this out in person and I'm planning on getting this in Empriente for myself when I got Europe this summer. I could pick one up for her too! I've read over and over how durable it is, so I think that it would be great for her usecase. It for sure would be a forever wallet for her.
• Cons: I'm not sure how she would feel about an LV wallet, even if the branding is fairly subtle. I definitely don't want her to feel like she needs to one-up me on a $$$ gift, but certainly I could mitigate this some other way.

Mulberry Continental | link

• Pros: It's beautiful! The branding isn't very loud either, which she may feel more comfortable with.
• Cons: Looking at photos of used Mulberrys, it doesn't seem to be a very carefree item. Scratches will definitely show through, and I'm sure she'd feel bad if this were to happen.

Longchamp Le Foulonné Continental | link

• Pros: Good simple style. Very pretty! Just a little higher than her personal price range.
• Cons: I don't know anything about the wallets by Longchamp!

Coach

• Pros: She would probably feel more comfortable carrying this, since it's something she may purchase for herself (She's far too cheap to purchase any of the above, not that she wouldn't consider them, but yeah).
• Cons: The current envelope styles don't have enough card slots!

Kate Spade

• Pros: It's hard-wearing and definitely in her personal price range.
• Cons: I don't think I've seen any envelope style wallets by Kate Spade recently.

All that said, I'm leaning mostly towards the LV. Maybe just because I like it a lot, hah. But I'd love to hear all of your experiences with any of these wallets or any other durable, large capacity wallets you have experience with!

 

[Evia]

I have the LV Sarah in mono. It was my first LV piece, and first canvas piece too. It’s great - after 18 months it still looks like new! This style works really well for me, as I like to have everything in one place and I’m not one to change wallets all the time. I don’t hold any loyalty cards, but there’s stacks of room for cards, notes etc., without pulling it out of shape. I often put my keys in it and just use just the wallet if I’m running a quick errand. I’d definitely recommend it.

 

[Amazona]

If your sister isn't into luxury goods, an LV wallet might be a lot to digest. That may lead to the the situation where tve LV sits in the closet and she will go on carrying her old wallet. Also a radical change in style might have the same effect.

If this was my sister I'd carefully ask her what she thinks of big wallets ("Do you think this wallet is too big" when you're pretending to be looking for a wallet for yourself is a good way to find out) and what she thinks of luxury SLG.
Also, if she didn't find a large wallet an attractive size or gets scared by luxury, I'd think about getting something in tthe same size category and price range than her old wallet. Mainly thinking Fossil, Coach and Longchamp.

 

[southernbelle43]

For a non - designer wallet you cannot beat the Levenger accordian wallet. Levenger makes executive leather goods and I carried these wallets for years, until I decided I can live with a designer wallet, lol. I think she would like it.
https://products.levenger.com/search?ts=custom&w=accordian wallets

 

[cuttlebunz]

If your sister isn't into luxury goods, an LV wallet might be a lot to digest. That may lead to the the situation where tve LV sits in the closet and she will go on carrying her old wallet. Also a radical change in style might have the same effect.

If this was my sister I'd carefully ask her what she thinks of big wallets ("Do you think this wallet is too big" when you're pretending to be looking for a wallet for yourself is a good way to find out) and what she thinks of luxury SLG.
Also, if she didn't find a large wallet an attractive size or gets scared by luxury, I'd think about getting something in tthe same size category and price range than her old wallet. Mainly thinking Fossil, Coach and Longchamp.

I think it's less that she's not into luxury goods, more that she would never spend that money herself and therefore has never considered it as an option. Maybe I could work her way up to it though, haha.

 

[cuttlebunz]

I have the LV Sarah in mono. It was my first LV piece, and first canvas piece too. It’s great - after 18 months it still looks like new! This style works really well for me, as I like to have everything in one place and I’m not one to change wallets all the time. I don’t hold any loyalty cards, but there’s stacks of room for cards, notes etc., without pulling it out of shape. I often put my keys in it and just use just the wallet if I’m running a quick errand. I’d definitely recommend it.

Awesome!! I'm really looking forward to my own!

I'm thinking I'll have to work my sister's way up to being comfortable with the LV. Maybe I'll get her a Mulberry this time then an LV in a few years after I've shown her how amazing my Sarah is sure to be!

 

[Evia]

I think it's less that she's not into luxury goods, more that she would never spend that money herself and therefore has never considered it as an option. Maybe I could work her way up to it though, haha.

If she’s unlikely to spend the money on herself, I think it's a super present to give to her - whichever one you go for

 

[Amazona]

Awesome!! I'm really looking forward to my own!

I'm thinking I'll have to work my sister's way up to being comfortable with the LV. Maybe I'll get her a Mulberry this time then an LV in a few years after I've shown her how amazing my Sarah is sure to be!

Mulberry isn't really that great quality anymore. The leather wears really quick and M will not take any responsibility for their quality. I think you could get something else in that in-between price category that will last longer. M prices aren't very low so you'll have loads of choices!