11 Styles of Wallets for Women in 2021
One or more of these wallets deserve to be inside your closet repertoire.
Bifold
For a classic cool-girl vibe, a bifold is always a wonderful choice. These simple wallets fold in half and generally look like the ones you probably had as a kid. Shockingly, the bifold is making quite a comeback among women.
Why? Because they have been reimagined and now come in a wide range of styles and colors. You can even get a bifold that folds over the top instead of the side, giving it the appearance of the world’s most adorable purse. They’re functional, practical, and will never go out of style.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S BIFOLD
Kate Spade Cove Street Serenade
Perfectly-sized small bifold
Saffiano leather with ID window and snap closure. Only 3.3" high x 3.7" wide with 2-way spade lining.
Accordion Style
You might not be much of a musician, but you don’t need to be for this kind of wallet. Accordion wallets are known for their downright concerning ability to hold more cards than a trained magician. If you are the kind of person who collects rewards cards like they are going out of style, this wallet type is perfect for you.
When you open one of these bad boys, you will immediately be met with the kind of magic only women’s wallets can bring: an endless collection of cardholders. I personally think that these wallets were made to make up for how small the pockets on our jeans are.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S ACCORDION WALLET
All of the Coach panache and quality
A well-organized accordion style wallet with 12 cards and room for an iPhone 12. There is a coin pocket and slots for full-length bills. Made from polished pebble leather.
Wristlet
Wristlets are my personal favorite. These wallets can hold the essentials like your card, Chapstick, and sometimes your phone, all without forcing you to lug around a giant bag. The moment you slide that little strap around your wrist, you will immediately be turned into the main character in a movie.
There is just something ridiculously cool and casual about these wallets. They’re especially great for concerts or a little bit of sightseeing out with friends. With their small design and perfect holding capacity, it is impossible not to love them. Try it. I dare you.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S WRISTLET
Michael Kors Logo Smartphone Wristlet
A chic wristlet with streamlined style
Made of coated canvas with the MK signature logo print, this zip-around wristlet is large enough to accomodate a smart phone. There’s an ID window, 7 card slots, and gold-tone hardware.
Phone Case Wallet
Phone case wallets are great for keeping your phone safe and sound. These wallets generally come in two forms. On one hand, there are actually full wallets that are designed to hold your phone in addition to your cards. On the other hand, there are phone cases that have been equipped with card slots on the back so that you have everything that you need in the palm of your hand.
If you are anything like me and are physically incapable of setting your phone down for any reason, you will probably prefer the latter option. The other version doesn’t let me see my updates. That, I can’t live without.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S PHONE CASE WALLET
Protects you from your phone’s EMF radiation
This phone wallet has 3 card slots in a vegan leather case. It is drop tested to protect your phone while keeping your cards safe from RFID skimming and EMF radiation.
Card Holder
Cardholders are an easy fave, particularly for use with a purse. A simple cardholder is great for keeping your wallet needs to a bare minimum. They make it possible for you to pack all of your favorite cards and keep them in one centralized spot. They’re thin, compact, and take up next to no space.
Generally, they only hold a few cards and some of them have a coin purse as well. They are at their most useful when you are traveling and want to have easy access to your ID and main spending card. Or even better, when you need the bare minimum for a night out clubbing with your friends.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S CARD HOLDER
Small, thin and perfect for a night out
A quick access card slot on each side with a center pocket for cash or a key. Made from premium, environmentally certified leather with a 3-year warranty.
Zip Around
Zip-around wallets are not for the faint of heart. These rare women’s wallets will safely and securely hold all of your cards, money, and sometimes a phone. Even better, they offer an amazing added layer of protection by safely enclosing your personal items with a zipper.
Unfortunately, this is where it all goes wrong. Personally, I’m not what you would call a delicate person. I’m remarkably impatient, and it only gets worse when I’m trying to fish out a card to pay for my groceries so I can escape the awkward small-talk with the clerk in front of me. So, I’ve broken quite a few of these wallets.
Before you invest in one, consider whether or not you go full Hulk when trying to pay for your Starbucks. Some have card slots on the outside of the wallet. If it were me, I’d go with one of those.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S ZIP AROUND
Designed in Britain, it features fine Italian leather and precise stitching. A outside leather pull tab ejects your most used cards. Inside there are compartments for cash and coins.
Money Clip
Money clips have always been associated with older men, but no longer. Now, ladies can enjoy adorable money clips that come in all shapes and sizes. Gone are the days of those old cowboy money clips. Now, you can get a money clip with flowers, fruits, or any of those other random patterns they put on everything made for women.
These simple devices mostly just hold cash, so they might be a good fit if you’re constantly just tossing cash into your bag with reckless abandon. You can carry cards, too, but they might get scratched unless you tuck them inside a folded bill.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S MONEY CLIP
Money clips aren’t just for men
This brass money clip is acid etched with a dandelion design. It will develop a natural patina over time. Perfect for slipping into a pocket when a wallet is too bulky.
Coin Purse
Coin purses are one of the older wallet styles around. These simple little wallets are basically a pocket that you can carry. They are usually set to hold a couple of cards and have a larger pocket in the middle for all of your change, bobby pins, or emergency hair ties.
These classic accessories are remarkably useful and generally come in some really great patterns. Even in the midst of our card culture, the coin purse still carries on. It has earned our respect and will likely outlive us all, so consider it a fair investment.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S COIN PURSE
Micheal Kors Mercer Coin Purse
Just the right size to slip in a small purse
The MK Mercer coin purse uses pebbled leather with three card slots and a zip pouch for change, keys, or a pair of earings. Use the wristlet strap or through into whatever.
Travel
Travel wallets are perfect for the more adventurous among us. These incredible wallets are not just made to hold an ID or cards. Oh, no. They offer support for something much more important: your passport. A good travel wallet is made to give you everything that you need for your travels. Some have slots for a SIM cards and an extra memory card for your camera.
It is basically the international indicator that you are an interesting person who is set on touring the world. Unless you are doing something weird while you travel, in which case it can just mark you as a tourist. No matter what, it makes getting through airport security an absolute breeze. But don’t be deceived, these accessories work for all kinds of travel, from weekend getaways to month-long cruises.
TOP PICK BELLROY FOLIO TRAVEL WALLET
An ideal travel companion
Fits 2 passports plus boarding pass and cash. Card slots are in the middle with a bulk storage compartment in back. A leather divider keeps cash hidden.
Clutch
Clutches are one of the most commonly seen wallets in media. A clutch is a small and envelope-like wallet that is really more of a purse than a wallet. In most cases, you will see women holding them at dance clubs or while attending incredibly fancy upscale parties. They are smaller than the average purse, but they can still hold your phone, cards, and keys.
In my opinion, everyone should have a simple and elegant clutch on hand. It is a surefire way to dress up any outfit. Also, holding one will without a doubt make you feel like a famous actress at a red carpet event, so that’s a nice perk too.
TOP PICK WOMEN’S CLUTCH
Roomy enough for an iPhone 12 Pro Max
Back flap has room for 12 cards with an ID window. Only 7.6" long but large enough for your phone. There’s one zipper pocket, 2 bill compartments and 2 gusseted pockets.
Smart Wallets
A woman’s “smart” wallet is not restricted to any particular type or style. Smart features like RFID skimming protection are often part and parcel to every style from bifolds to accordion wallets to a leather clutch. Minimalist card holders are often no larger than the credit cards they contain and come with a titanium money clip.
Some phone case wallets protect you from your phone’s EMF radiation. Coin purses and zip-arounds can be made unlosable with a Bluetooth tracker. Travel wallets often have dedicated slots for a memory card and the allusive pencil you can never seem to find on a plane.
In fact, you can find a smarter version of every single style of wallet on this list. Check out these 3 posts for some great ideas:
