In general I would call myself a minimalist. To have nothing more than what is required or essential. When it comes to my gadgets and accessories, I feel the same. Simple, functional and few.
Lets talk about the wallet. Something every man carries and has. And is likely overflowing, bulky, encumbering and containing non-essentials. Lets minimize and simplify that style.
Here’s a couple examples of what I’ve been using and why.
The Front Pocket Wallet: I switched to the front pocket wallet a few years ago. I’ve been told by my chiropractor friends that the wallet in the back pocket isn’t really good for your spine, especially if you do a lot of sitting at work. Furthermore, once I reduced my wallet down to the essentials, I found that having a back pocket wallet was really more room than I actually needed for the contents inside. At the time, my wallet was so full of junk, that I couldn’t even keep cash in it and had to add a money clip to the front pocket. Once I realized I only pulled my wallet out for cash, card or IDs, I decided to minimize to just those essentials.
The Phone Case Wallet: After having a front pocket wallet for a few years now, I started to notice that the few essentials that I did carry in my Every Day Carry could be further condensed into a phone case wallet. Now, this has it’s ups and downs. True I was able to reduce my wallet to nearly non-existent, but then I found that my phone case had become cumbersome. Depending on the weather, I would use different wallets for different seasons. I like the BookBook phone case which looks like a small vintage book. However, this was thicker than I liked for just a phone case, and I would tend to use it during fall and winter months when I would put my phone in my jacket pocket instead of my jeans. I’ve come to really enjoy having the slim two card leather phone case, as it holds my ID and my debit/credit card and I can still have a front pocket money clip for cash, or store my cash on the inside left liner of the case behind my IDs.
Men, there is nothing wrong with having multiple wallets. I do. Different styles, for different purposes. Some when I need to carry more cards than the usual essentials. Some when I need to carry more cash, like when I’m going to a swap meet or craigslist shopping for the next project bike. Some for summer and some for winter.
Women needn’t be the only ones who have a purse or clutch for every occasion (in case you’re wondering, the ‘clutch’ is the small purse, or big wallet that women carry around and ‘clutch’ in their hands). There are lots of very affordable wallets out there for your back pocket, front pocket, jacket, phone case or money clip. Keep the stuff you need, ditch the stuff you don’t, and don’t forget that the wallet is an extension of the man who’s carrying it. It’s a part of the wholistic stylings of who you are.
Lastly, whatever wallet you choose. Never choose the velcro. Never. Gentlemen. If you still have a velcro wallet, it’s time to graduate middle-school. It’s not the 80’s anymore. You’re a man now.
Other wallets to throw away: duct tape, homemade and superhero (you’re not a child).
Below are some examples of the slim front pocket wallet and the overflowing inessential back pocket wallet.
See the difference in the thickness of these two wallets? How much content do you need to carry with you on a daily basis?
This wallet is overstuffed and full on non-essentials.
There are more discount and punch cards, receipts and business cards in here than are necessary. Keep your wallet to a minimum. I prefer the front-pocket sized wallet and a money clip. But if you prefer a back-pocket wallet, choose something that will allow maximum comfort and efficiency with minimum encumbrance and unneeded items.
Thanks for reading and take a look at the other posts that you might like below.