Wallets are small, flat cases that are used to store personal items like cash, credit cards and identification. They have many storing slots, making it easy for you to find a specific item. The name originally comes from the knapsacks that Romans used to carry their belongings, although Roman wallets were much larger than wallets today.
Early wallets looked like pouches with drawstrings to hold coins inside. But with the invention of paper currency in the 17th century, more recognisable wallets came into existence. In American English, they are generally referred to as billfolds. The modern wallet with its slots was standardised by 1951 with the introduction of credit cards. By 1970, the Velcro wallet was introduced and by 1996 the All-Ett wallet was invented, which is the world’s thinnest wallet.
Wallets are generally carried by men, although women carry them too generally in a handbag. Usually, wallets just have slots for holding cash and cards, but some also have a separate pouch for holding coins. A well designed wallet often has pockets for holding paper currency, slots for credit cards and ID cards, a coin pouch and a key holder. It may also have money clips if the cash pocket is missing and sometimes a photo slot to hold a photograph.
A breast wallet, also called the secretary or passage wallet, has a section for money large enough so that notes don’t have to be folded. It can be kept in the breast pocket of a jacket. It is larger than a standard wallet and can also be carried by women.
Many standard wallets are bi-fold wallets. There are tri-fold wallets too with extra storage space. Some men prefer money clips which fit well in the front pocket of trousers without being bulky. These have no currency pocket, just some slots for credit cards.
Knowing the utility of wallets, some designers like Gucci, Armani and Louis Vuitton produce designer wallets. In the US, brands like Guess, Burberry, Kenneth Cole and Fossil have their own lines of designer wallets.
In order to keep the wallet safe from pickpockets, some have chains that can be attached to the belt of the trousers. Apart from money wallets, there are other variations like organisers, which are small cases with slots for keys, pens and a calculator. There are passport wallets too that hold your passport, tickets and other travel documents.
