Whether you prefer a substantial wallet or an on-the-go coin purse, keeping your currency in order doesn’t have to be a drag. The best ones out there aren’t just a wagon for your credit cards and cash – they’re also super-stylish and a great way to inject a little personality into everyday essentials. From high end to high street, we’ve saved you the hassle of the hunt with our pick of the best purses out there. After all, time is money...
1. Coach Double Corner Leather Wristlet Wallet: £70, Selfridges
This soft-grained leather wallet from New York Fashion house Coach is available in a selection of colours from classic black to orange, although our favourite has to be forest green; it’s super-sleek with a trendy edge and is accented perfectly with gold polished hardware and the brand’s heritage Horse and Carriage plaque. Designed to hold small electronics, from iPhones to BlackBerrys, it’s surprisingly slimline with two zip compartments and two convenient card slots – making it very versatile. We love that this comes with a detachable wrist strap, too.
2. Asos Suede Croc Foldover Purse: £15, Asos
If you’re on a budget but don’t want to skimp on style then Asos has got you covered. The grey croc-effect suede outer is made from 100 per cent leather with a matching, silky silver lining to boot. The front flap is secured with a press-stud and inside there’s enough space for all your dosh with six card slots, two cash compartments and a zipped inner pocket. This purse may sit at the lower end of the price scale but it certainly doesn’t feel cheap.
3. Lulu Guinness Applique Lip Lottie Pouch: £65, Lulu Guinness
Lulu Guinness is renowned for her slightly outré approach to design so if you’re looking for a purse that will stand out then this is the one for you. Crafted from premium polished leather, the design features a bright red pair of smackers, an embossed Lulu Guinness logo and a matching red cotton lining. With an external back pocket for cards and a sleek zip closure, it really does tick all the boxes.
4. Accessorize Vienna Contrast Soft Wallet: £17, Accessorize
If you’re stuck between purchasing a card holder or a purse then this could be the one for you. The case is fitted with a front pouch which holds a removable metallic cardholder for your convenience; it holds up to three cards and has a dedicated space for your ID. There’s a zipped coin compartment with super-sleek gold hardware for a trendy finish.
5. Saint Laurent Textured Leather Cardholder: £175, Net-a-Porter
While this option is a little pricy, it’s undoubtedly a purse that you’ll want to show off. Designed by French luxury fashion house Saint Laurent, it continues with the brands androgynous aesthetic: soft black textured leather, contrasting silver hardware and an embossed Saint Laurent signature. We’d consider this a cardholder/purse hybrid as it sits particularly flat with five exterior card slots and a flush coin compartment.
6. Oliver Bonas Yasmine Travel Purse: £28, Oliver Bonas
Inject a little colour into your coinage with this double-duty purse from Oliver Bonas. Crafted from mint green faux leather, one side plays host to six card slots and a handy space for your ID while the other holds a zipped pouch in contrasting grey, which is completely removable. Whether you choose to take it out on its own or free up some space in the main wallet, the pouch comes with an additional six card slots and a nifty zipped coin compartment. Also available in sky blue and grey.
7. All Saints Paradise Japanese Wallet: £98, All Saints
If you’re after something a little more traditional in colour but don’t want to go back to black, try out khaki instead. This soft leather purse has a luxurious croc-effect finish and fastens with stylish front flap to secure your cash. Inside, there are two paper money slots, enough space for nine cards and a handy detachable coin purse with three internal pockets. Also available in light grey and petrol blue.
8. Stella McCartney Falabella Flap Wallet: £230, Stella McCartney
Budget permitting, this Stella McCartney purse is a great investment and perfect for any eco-friendly fashionista. As part of Stella’s on-going commitment to animal-friendly and sustainable fashion, this purse is crafted from non-leather, cruelty-free materials while the lining has been created from recycled plastic bottles. Designed with the brand’s famous Falabella bag in mind, it features a diamond cut, gunmetal chain trim, front flap and a signature Stella McCartney logo disc. There is enough room for six cards, a zipped coin compartment and two cash sleeves. This classic design has plenty of staying power and a little edge to boot.
9. Aspinal Small Essential Flat Pouch: £50, Aspinal of London
If you’re a lover of this season’s mini-bag trend then you’ll be on the hunt for a correspondingly petite purse. Confirming that all good things really do come in small packages, this Italian leather pouch from Aspinal of London exudes luxury. At just 5.5 inches wide, it’s among the most compact on our list but will still pack a fair few coins and notes in. Available in a huge range of colours and textures, from aquamarine to leopard print, for something sleek and practical our favourite is black pebble.
10. MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Leather Logo Card Case: £75, John Lewis
This option is great for on-the-go as it’s small enough to fit in your cross-body bag and has all the right compartments. Crafted from the brand’s signature crosshatch leather, it features eight card slots, an ID window, a cash sleeve and a discreet exterior zip pocket. The foldover design with a press-stud fastening keeps it compact while the girly, misty rose hue means it’s also super-stylish.
Verdict
Our pick of the bunch has to be Coach’s wristlet wallet – we love the fact that it can hold your mobile phone and, while it might not be the cheapest of the lot, the quality craftsmanship definitely makes it worth investing in. For something with a bit more zing, we suggest Lulu Guinness. And if you’re on a budget, you won’t go wrong with Oliver Bonas’ double-duty dosh holder.
IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
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