Guest Blogger | Paul McGregor: Fashion Essentials: Men’s Wallets

(Peter Werth Bi Fold Studded Wallet with Cardholder available at Brighterman, Comme des Garçons Super Fluoro Small Wallet available at oki-ni, Porte Monnaie Classic Wallet available at oki-ni.)

For the fashion conscious male, a wallet is an essential item within the mens accessories department. It’s an accessory that isn’t typically on show, unless of course, you like to “flash the cash.” So what mens wallets do we recommend? A touch of elegance means leather, and leather wallets for men have consistently held their popularity over the last few years. Attention to details is crucial, paying close attention to stitching and money storage. You want something that looks new, elegant and isn’t going to break easy.

With designers such as Paul Smith producing a variety of wallets based upon colourful designs, a focus on print of the wallet is another factor. A good print design can determine someone’s personality. Coloured leather can really draw attention towards your wallet. Contrasting inner sections, again are recommended. But wallets really should be bought on personal taste. Something that’s going to represent your personality, and something, which suits the way you store your money. But here at THESOUTHSIDER, we have a good eye for a good wallet. Above are some recommended mens wallets to choose from.

Paul McGregor is the driving force behind the company and brand Brighterman, a UK based online retailer that specializes in men's accessories.

R6 Spring/Summer 2010 Conch and Dieter Wallets

Summing up for the R6 Spring/Summer 2010 collection are two luxury wallets - The Conch and Dieter. Made with premium quality vegetable tanned Italian leather, the two wallets are hand made in England coming both in three colourways with contrast interiors and quality embossed branding. Conch is the zip and Dieter is the card holder by the way. Get it here.

(Click to Enlarge Photos)

Comme des Garçons Reptile Embossed Zip Wallets

Monochrome wallets from Comme des Garcons have been dropped at Oak and I personally love these zipped wallets with embossed reptile style. Focusing on main detail, the wallets came in with a mix of reptile skin which includes a contrasting lizard-like skin detail. Finishing the whole look, each wallet has gold zipper which pops out from the overall black color.

J.Fold A/W 2009 Collection

Men's accessories have lapsed into a limitless choice of colors and J.Fold made it possible. Thanks to their bi-folds. As I am personally fed up with the usual color of men's wallets, brown and black, these vibrant and sleek selection of what I call "pocket buddies" are refreshing and entertaining. The Autumn/Winter 2009 collection continues on with their agreeable range of colorful wallets with unique designs. Ironic to their usual offerings, the collection goes on with a range of purple colors embodying a manly structure with a tinge of purplish sensation.

J.Fold

Browns Mainline Wallet with Multicolored Lizard Interior

Browns Mainline offers wonderful collection of wallets with some coming in with several twist once opened. The black leather wallet (above) has an interesting flamboyant multicolor lizard skin details on the interior. It goes with credit card slots sitting on both sides with colors blue, pink, yellow, and green adding a much more vibrant inner detailing. Available at Browns for £205.00.

Paul Smith Alan Aldridge Print Card Case

Alan Aldridge was known for his unique psychedelic designs and remarkable comic style illustrations, and with the release of his book "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast" and being appointed as design consultant for The Beatles' label Apple Records, his name definitely skyrocketed to fame.

Since "projects are forever" for him, this card case from Paul Smith definitely is a proof that he can do anything that are related to his field. With Indian prints on interior designed by Mr. Aldridge himself, the exterior goes with embossed Paul Smith signature logo, white stitching and purple binding thread details. Now available at My-Wardrobe.

Martin Margiela Discoball Wallet

Part of F/W 2009 accessories collection from Martin Margiela, this discoball inspired wallet surely is glittery. With tiny reflective plastic squared filling up the outer part, the interior has room for 6 cards. And if you happen to detach things accidentally, the wallet comes with replacement mirror ball squares.

Now available at Oki-Ni.

Porte Monnaie Classic Wallet

Minimal and Masculine. This classic wallet from Porte Monnaie has a unique design coming from innovative and traditional materials. Amazing it is, they used natural dyes to decorate this recyclable wallet. Available at Oki-Ni, it has an all black colorway giving emphasis on the artistic detail.