Ask Belle: Best Wallets and Wristlets
Aug 8, 2016
Belle,
I finally got a new job, so I decided to upgrade to the Lo and Sons OMG, per your recommendations. I’d really like to find a wristlet/clutch/wallet that serves as my main wallet during the work week, but can also hold my iphone and keys for when I run out for lunch or to happy hour and don’t want to drag my whole bag with me.I’m seeing a lot of wallets that also hold phones, but I’d like to also fit my keys and probably a chapstick. Any ideas?
Thank you, CO
If it were me, given what you want to carry, I wouldn’t be looking for a wallet. I’d be looking for a pouch or envelope clutch. They hold a bunch, are easily tucked under an arm, and look sleek.
This Banana Republic has this large silver pouch. Gigi New York’s pouches are a blogger favorite. For something under-$25, this Charming Charlie clutch is a good pick.
Have your heart set on a wallet? I used to own the Hobo Lauren and it will hold everything you need. This Matt & Nat wallet also looks roomier than average.
As for wristlets, a friend has this Kate Spade Karolina, and it is my favorite. This large wristlet from Humble Chic looks up to the task of carrying your phone and chapstick. This Ralph Lauren Morrison wristlet is also worth a look.
Want more choices? Let’s give these widgets I see on other blogs a try.
Pouches and Clutches
Large Wallets and Wristlets
I LOVE my Joy Susan Mini Crossbody Wristlet Clutch. It’s wallet size and comes with a crossbody strap and a wristlet strap so it can easily go from wallet to lunch to dancing.
https://joyaccessories.com/product-category/clutches-crossbody-bags/mini-crossbody-wristlet-clutch/
I would absolutely recommend the Dagne Dover Clutch Wallet. They aren’t available on their website at the moment. (They’re revamping the design to be released for 2017.) However, I’ve seen some listed at places like ebay, Poshmark and Tradesy recently.
Stella & Dot has several styles: City Slim Clutch, Madison Tech Wallet (wristlet), Chelsea Tech Wallet (wristlet) and lots of small Crossbody bags.
Love this post. I just invested in a nice Fossil wallet that fits my phone, looking to meet the same need. I like it and it looks great, but I ended up going with one without a wrist strap and sometimes regret that. It was expensive enough that I’m not likely to get another one soon, though.
I like this Madewell clutch which is great to throw my wallet and keys in as well.
https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/BAGS/poucheswallets/PRDOVR~C5521/C5521.jsp?color_name=true-black
So glad the widgets work on feedly!
Great to hear!
I highly recommend the Dagne Dover Clutch Wallet. The the wallet isn’t currently available on their website, (they’re revamping the design for 2017) but I have seen it listed at places like eBay, Poshmark, and Tradesy recently.
For phone+chapstick, I like the Couch Double Zip Wallet and the Rebecca Minkoff WOC. I personally carry a Marc Jacobs zip clutch which fits my iphone 6 plus with case and a chapstick at the side. I don’t try to put my keys in though.
In general, if you want to fit extra, don’t even bother looking at tech wallets and look for something more general purpose.
I am on my third Hobo Vida wristlet, which I find to be the perfect bag for this purpose: https://www.hobobags.com/products/hobo-designer-wristlet-vida-vintage-leather?sku=VI-32185GREN&via=57a0f96646fc1448090000f4%2F57a0f96646fc1448090000f7
I have the Kate Spade Everpurse Wristlet…it stays charged for over 24 hrs and charges your iPhone. It’s awesome. It IS on the smaller side, but it will fit my phone, lip gloss, a small wallet (a credit card holder fits better), and a small key ring. It has an inner iPhone slot, a spot to stick a small wallet, and a inner zippered pocket. To me, it’s worth it for the iPhone charging! I typically toss this inside of a large tote (or my OG…)
https://www.katespade.com/products/everpurse-x-kate-spade-new-york-quentin-stripe-wristlet-pouch/8ARU1067.html
I do this same thing (wristlet in nylon bag, though my preference is the even more cliche Longchamp Pliage).
I loved the black pebbled leather Cole Haan Jitney Medium wristlet that I got on eBay for like $20, but I just bought a Furla saffiano leather wristlet that I love even more. The saffiano leather is so durable. I used to be pretty into designer purses, but recently I’ve gone to only using this even when I go out.
https://www.saksoff5th.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441922827
The wristlets fit a TON of stuff, though I admit that I overpack it for day-to-day and reduce when I actually go out with it.
Here’s what I pack
– Epipen (at the very bottom of the Furla; didn’t fit in the Cole Haan)
– Inhaler (NOT at all sleek and yet it still fits– and the saffiano hides the lumps better than the pebbled leather)
– pressed powder
– 2 lipstick tubes
– random eyeliner, ponytail holders, etc
– credit cards + cash in a men’s card case (similar to the Tumi Alpha slim card cases)
And of course phone & keys when I’m going out.
I use a Lo & Sons OG as my work bag and LOVE this small convertible bag as my wallet/purse. https://madisonraleigh.com/collections/handbags/products/must-have-crossbody
I can use it as a wristlet, crossbody, or clutch. Perfect for running out for lunch or other errands. It easily holds all my cards, cash, phone, keys, burts bees, lip gloss without looking over stuffed. It also comes in a ton of colors. I have the cream/beige and LOVE it.
I also prefer a full-on wallet that I can slip my phone and a lip balm and small comb into (keys would be nice, but that’s like the unicorn of wristlets). I’m just not motivated enough to move things from one wallet to another on a regular basis; so any clutch I try has to fit my whole wallet (and not a baby one with 4 card slots). I haven’t found a pouch/envelope that can do that without looking overstuffed or misshapen. It has to have a wrist strap as I’m kind of a klutz and the clutch-tucked-under-the-arm thing would last mere minutes before it was on the floor.
I had the Matt & Nat Abiko and really liked it. The wrist strap/sleeve/flap makes it distinctive and I got a lot of compliments on it when I’d wear it on my wrist. But the “vegan leather,” I felt, did not wear well. I got the citron-y color which looked really pretty at first but got dingy quickly. Maybe in a darker color…
Right now I am using a Kate Spade wallet– the Grand Street Layton– and it’s a tight squeeze but I can get my iPhone 6s+ with a slim case in there, along with a comb and a lip balm in the outside zippered pocket.
I’m intrigued by the M&N Mercer, since it specifically says it holds a 6+. But I prefer a zip closure. You can see why I haven’t found my unicorn yet…