Everything You Need to Know About These
Practical Accessories
Wallets are some of the most universally popular Hermès accessories. They make an affordable entry point to Hermès designs, often mirroring the iconic designs of the best-known handbags. They also make a practical choice when you need to ramp up your extra spending to get you closer to being offered your dream quota bag. We round up the best-known Hermès wallets to look at the pros and cons of each design and help you choose the design - and leather - that best suits you.
Kelly Long Wallet
This wallet carries the unmistakable hallmarks of its namesake, with flap, sangles, and turnlock on the front. Inside, its zipper has a small cadena lock, making the wallet distinctively Hermès in appearance. The benefits of a long wallet like this are that you can see everything inside at a glance; it has 12 card slots, a zipped coin section, and two compartments, which are big enough to stuff a lot of cards inside or even your phone. In fact, this wallet is large enough to use as a small clutch bag.
Similar to the Kelly bag, the Kelly Long Wallet is a little fiddly to open and, if you’re using it multiple times a day, you may prefer to leave the sangles undone. If you’re storing your wallet inside your bag, be mindful not to pack too much else inside the bag because the raised turnlock can get crushed inside the bag and distort the leather around it.
Kelly Compact Wallet
The Kelly Compact has the same turnlock fastening as the Kelly Long Wallet, but has a smaller, trifold design. This scaled-back version of the wallet has five card slots, a compartment for receipts, and a zipped coin purse in the middle. It’s a less convenient layout than the long wallet, but works well for days when you don’t need a large wallet.
Constance Compact Wallet
The Constance Compact is another Hermès wallet with an iconic, instantly recognizable design. This small wallet features two card slots, a compartment for receipts, and an outer pocket that allows for quick access to your most regularly used cards. It’s an ideal and stylish wallet for days when you don’t need to carry much. Initially, the H buckle can be a little hard to open, but with frequent use, it becomes easier to fasten and unfasten.
Constance Long Wallet
The Constance Long Wallet is very similar in design to the Kelly Long Wallet, with 12 card slots. This wallet is slightly longer than the Kelly Long, with a sizeable H buckle.
Constance To Go
Another version of the Constance Long Wallet is the Constance To Go, which has fewer card slots (six instead of 12) and the addition of a removable strap, which makes the wallet work as a purse, clutch, or satchel. The To Go also features an external compartment big enough for a mobile, which makes the purse a great option for travel.
Kelly To Go
Similarly, the Kelly To Go is a very popular wallet with a removable strap, which makes it versatile enough to be used as a purse, clutch, or satchel. It only has four card slots inside, but for travel purposes, it works well.
Bearn Long Wallet
The Bearn wallets are a simple, lightweight, and thin design. This version has five card slots, a zipped section for coins, two receipt compartments, and one compartment for notes. Its thin size makes it unsuitable for lots of bills and coins, which can make it look overstuffed and distorted. If you don’t need to bring a lot out with you, this is a good choice for everyday use. The leather fastening is easy to open and close but is prone to wear and tear, so should be treated with care.
Bearn Compact Wallet
This shorter version of the Bearn Long Wallet has closely spaced card slots, which are a little more fiddly to use. Most people consider the longer version to be more practical and cost-efficient.
Silk’in Wallet
The Silk’in has a zip around three sides of it, meaning it’s very secure and opens up to allow easy access. The design works well for everyday use and is certainly more practical than Hermès wallets with a buckle or turnlock fastening. Though the outside of the wallet is a little plain, inside it’s lined with a beautiful silk scarf, which makes the cards slide into and out of the wallet’s 12 slots with ease, though does mean the wallet can look dirty quickly. The wallet also has two compartments and a zipped section in the middle for coins and is large enough to fit a lot of bills, a phone, or a passport inside.
Dogon Wallet
Dogon is a very large, unisex wallet that is too large for everyday use but lends itself well to travel. It has the capacity to fit your passport, foreign currency, receipts, and tickets while still looking chic. Just inside, the wallet has two card slots that are easy to access and a removable inside pocket.
Leathers
When choosing a wallet, the leather can be just as important as the design.
Epsom
If your wallet is going to be subjected to frequent use, Epsom is a very durable leather that stands up to more wear and tear than most other leathers. It’s a great choice for everyday use.
Togo
Togo is a lightweight and firm but supple leather, which is a good option if you’re prone to overstuffing your wallet. It’s easy to look after and scratch-resistant, which makes it another good choice for frequent use.
Chevre
Chevre is another lightweight option. It is fairly durable, although perhaps a bit more susceptible to scratches and distortion than Togo. Its real appeal is how beautifully it shows up colors. Shades look rich with a light sheen on this leather.
Evercolor
Evercolor isn’t the most durable leather, but stands up fairly well to rain and, as the name suggests, is a wonderful canvas for bold colors. These factors make it a good pick for a wallet you’ll use occasionally, rather than a workhorse wallet.
Swift
Swift leather is a little more delicate than some other leathers, so it’s not necessarily well suited to frequent use. It’s a buttery smooth option that makes colors really pop, ideal for when your priority is a wallet that looks and feels incredible.
