Minimalist Wallets: The Men’s Choice

The minimalist wallets that are so common today were not created until a couple of decades ago. Thanks to a combination of new materials with the changing needs of men for carrying the items they needed, the old days of bulky cumbersome wallets made only of leather has given way to many new, sleeker designs that dominate the market.
OGON Slider Aluminum Wallet - Carbon Fiber

The Traditional Wallet

When wallets started to become mass produced in the 19th century, the predominant material was leather. Leather is strong, durable, and quite flexible. This allowed for the carrying of cash, cards, documents, receipts, and more. Both bifold and trifold wallets were common with different compartments to hold different items. However, the downside of leather wallets was their bulkiness which often made them uncomfortable to carry what was needed. But as times changed, the realization that not everything had to be carried in the wallet let to a revolution in design.
Slim PU Leather Wallet With RFID

Birth of the Minimalist Design

The move towards simpler designs began in the late 20th century. As more men started carrying less in terms of cards, cash, and documents, the move towards simple, minimalist designs became more prominent. Designers started focusing on smaller wallet designs using materials other than leather which could provide a narrower profile, yet safely carry what was needed. This movement in minimalist design was complimented by the rise of the money clip. Money clips were an early design in carrying cash that had faded in modern times. They were revived thanks to more men carrying only what they needed with the clip. This minimalist approach in design was soon complimented by the rise in payments by digital means.
TRU VIRTU Click & Slide Wallet

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Rise of Digital Payments

The biggest change to wallets can be attributed to the rise of digital payments. How people paid for goods and services meant fewer people were carrying cash. Both debit and credit cards became more common which reduced the need for bulky wallets. In addition, the rise in RFID or radio frequency identification theft meant that new materials were needed to block such signals. While leather remains quite popular, newer materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, stainless steel, and even titanium has risen thanks in large part to their ability to block RFID theft. Plus, such materials can be used to create sleek wallet designs that are quite strong and durable. Under normal use conditions, such materials can last for decades, even longer.
C-Secure Slim Aluminum Card Holder with Money Clip

/> While the future is not known, there will still be a need for wallets even if what is needed to be carried becomes less. There are still some things that men like to carry with them, including cash, which means that new innovations will be based on changing technology and advancements in materials. The minimalist wallets that men prefer today resulted in a combination of changes across society, new technical innovations, and the use of different materials. The result was the bulky, leather bifold wallets which were essential for most of the 20th century gave way to sleek, minimalist designs that used both metals such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel along with carbon fiber, polymers, and even vegan-based leather.