Cool

Functional, I like

oops, posted too soon. The latter of those two is missing an ID window pocket, which I kind of like. Hate having to pull out the DL and risk losing it.

so apparently my ironclad devotion to "form follows function" has actual limits:

WAY too ugly, even for me, despite hitting all my notes (also I don't want a wallet that comes with bragging rights. I'm quite comfortable with my penis, thanks.)

I was about to condescend to you for looking on thinkgeek and etsy but then was surprised a bit by those etsy links, they're not bad

Duluth Trading is great. I have this one, which is technically a women's wallet, but I like the zipper. VERY sturdy. I've had mine for over a year, and I can barely see any use.

You might also try Osgoode Marley, which is available at a lot of luggage stores and the like. I've had a few of their wallets, which I liked. (I had a very small one, which was not great for the amount of crap I put in it.)

Also, my brother could hook you up with one hell of a duct tape wallet.

arggggh can't decide

geometry vs. the open sea, might as well ask me to choose between my children

There's always this one. (Yes, BMF stands for you know what.)

Hippie wallets from Maine.

I like things from Maine.

I think a wallet is something I could never buy online. It's such a tactile item for me that I wouldn't trust something from the internet to feel right. I pretty much go into a store like TJ Maxx and touch all the wallets until I find one that fits me.

Years ago, when I needed a new wallet, I got a low-priced one that had a removable mini-wallet that only held the most necessary cards and my driver's license. I carry only that mini-wallet and put what cash I need in a pants pocket. This has happily eliminated the enormous lump in my back pocket that normal wallets seem to always evolve into.

Personally, I've never been one who was into the wallet as a personal statement. It's just a container that no one ever sees.

I pull my wallet out a lot in public. Maybe I just pay for a lot of stuff (I like to treat people!). I don't really care what it looks like, but all other things being equal, I would pick the one that makes me the happiest. Like the sailship. Reminds me of the Mysterious Cities of Gold and other such nautical fare.

Still, looking at the pictures of all those bros with bmf wallets makes me want one a lot less.

My wallet is strategically pared down to the essentials. There are rare cases where I might want just a card and cash (going swimming?), so I'm kind of eyeing one of the dot matrix tyvek wallets on thinkgeek.

I got a totally generic brown leather wallet off overstock.com from like, Van Hausen or something. It is totally fine and holds up well.

I have two wallets from Oz brand Bellroy that I love.

I have a Massimo Dutti wallet I got in Mexico several years ago. It used to have a zipper but I don't miss it. It's small (I fold my folding money) and there are slots for frequently used cards on the outside. The leather is thick and durable, unlike a lot of wallets that woo you from the shop counter with their butter-soft leather that won't last a year and won't look good unless you carry your keys in a separate pocket and clip your fingernails every other day.

But wallets depend so much on priorities and carrying style. You know where you can get some slick wallets? Japan. However, there's no point in buying a wallet without handling it first. Good luck.

God I go through this every year or two. I've got an old chain wallet from when I lived in Seattle in the 90s that doesn't have a chain anymore and got sort of roughed up when I left it on top of my car once. It no longer really snaps closed (I need a wallet that will stay closed) and the leather is now butter soft but I keep thinking I need a new one, one that really works. But then I go through the store - online cycle over and over and I never really find one. I've had family members get me wallets (duct tape wallet is cool but too heavy AND sticky, Tom Bihn makes great luggage but not really wallets, that other monstrosity my dad's ex got me just made it clear how little she knew about me) and it just doesn't work. A trip to TJ Maxx maybe is in my future.

For beautiful wallets that are also easy to use, I just mosey on over to Wallet-On-A-Stick®. Dozens of wallets -- all gorgeous -- all conveniently on sticks. So much easier to eat and with no muss, fuss, or mess. I used to go to Wallet-On-A-Rope®, but that's only good for visiting the ATM while in the shower.

My 'wallet' started out as a piece of cardboard with a list of all the Oscar nominated movies from some year in the 90's that I stuck my cards and ID into and wrapped with an elastic band from a bunch of carrots. As the cardboard wore out, I wrapped the outside with duct tape or replaced it with the subsequent year's list of Oscar nominees. I've had to replace cardboard, duct tape and carrot elastics many times, but it is still going strong.

At least it forces me to eat veggies :p