Wallets were introduced to the world not long after paper money first appeared in the 1600s, and they have been a part of people’s everyday carry ever since. However, the first wallets were not the sort of sleek, square bifold and trifold designs carried by most men today. Nor will the dominant wallet styles of today be what men use centuries from now.
Like other clothes and accessories, wallets are subject to trends. Some of these peter out, while others become dominant and completely replace older styles. Today, there are several trends at play when it comes to men’s wallets, showing that they are not just handy cardholders that men can throw into their pockets with their keys and phone when they go out. Instead, wallets are things that men are carefully choosing based on an appreciation of fine craftsmanship, ethical concerns, and other reasons.
Here are some of the most popular trends shaping the wallets of the future.
Minimalism
Much like how most businesses today want you to have an online account with them, there was a time not so long ago when they all wanted you to have their loyalty card. Wallets during that time became chunky and contained dozens of card slots to accommodate this, but everything is slimming down again now that most loyalty schemes have moved online.
There has also been a broad shift in developed countries towards having less clutter in our lives and only keeping what we truly need. Wallets are now mostly bifold, meaning they only fold once in the middle. This keeps them slim and means they only offer enough room for four to eight cards – just enough to cover the essentials.
Quality Materials
The classic mens leather wallet continues to stand the test of time. It’s durable, flexible, and soft to touch yet also robust enough not to tear easily even after years of use. However, tastes have started to change recently. In the past, the sleek look and dull shine of smooth leather was preferred, but today more men are opting for full-grain leather. This is the highest quality and least treated kind of leather. It retains its bumpy surface texture.
Ethical Materials
As anybody staying informed about the latest trends in society will have noticed, the treatment of animals is a much bigger concern today than it has been historically. This is why faux leather wallets have grown more popular, and the texture of natural leather can now be very closely mimicked.
Security
Keeping all your cash and cards together in one item can result in a lot of problems if that item gets lost or stolen. Some modern wallets come equipped with the ability to sync with your phone via Bluetooth for location tracking.
Many wallets also now feature RFID blocking technology which prevents your personal information being stolen wirelessly from your cards.
Conclusion
These are the trends that designers across the spectrum are embracing more and more. However, although wallets are evolving, the fashion industry remains plagued by some of the same old problems, so always be on the lookout for counterfeit items. Be especially wary if you plan to follow the security trends above – the technology may not work if the items are not genuine.
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