Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Breast Coat Wallet
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Breast Coat Wallet

post #1 of 21
10/11/11 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 

So, I don't know much about quality leather wallets for men.  I want to buy my boyfriend a nice leather breast wallet/ coat wallet. 

 

I know he likes Ralph Lauren Black Label...

 

Do you guys know how good Gianfranco Ferre wallets are?

 

Thank you for your help!smile.gif

 

Reply
Reply
post #2 of 21
10/11/11 at 1:57am
lurker[1].gif
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 21
10/11/11 at 2:03am
If you are looking for a coat/breast wallet for him, I would go with a leather specialist rather than a designer. The quality of many designer-made leather goods can be...inconsistent with the price, shall we say. Take a look at Ettinger, Smythson, Launer, Foster & Son, or Swaine Adeney Brigg. If you have a higher budget, you could always try Hermes or April in Paris.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 21
10/11/11 at 6:46am
I've heard good things about Hermes green wallets....
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 21
10/11/11 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrd617 View Post

I've heard good things about Hermes green wallets....

Not everyone is permitted to purchase this amazing wallet. We must know more about the OP before making a suggestion: height, favorite shoe style, bespoke maker of choice?
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 21
10/11/11 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrd617 View Post

I've heard good things about Hermes green wallets....

jrd you should know you're not at liberty to discuss that at this time. A MC death squad is being scrambled to your residence...
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 21
10/11/11 at 7:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybadger View Post



Honey badger don't give a shit about boyfriends!
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 21
10/11/11 at 8:00am
http://www.launer.com/full-size-brown-and-tan-credit-card-wallet.html
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 21
10/11/11 at 9:12am
I hear Hermes makes a nice green breast wallet.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 21
10/11/11 at 9:21am
If your boyfriends style is anything like mine he'd like anything you give as long as its from the heart.
Edited by phoenixrecon - 10/11/11 at 5:37pm
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 21
10/11/11 at 9:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by academe View Post

If you are looking for a coat/breast wallet for him, I would go with a leather specialist rather than a designer. The quality of many designer-made leather goods can be...inconsistent with the price, shall we say. Take a look at Ettinger, Smythson, Launer, Foster & Son, or Swaine Adeney Brigg. If you have a higher budget, you could always try Hermes or April in Paris.

Brigg leather goods are made of bridle leather; as such, a Brigg breast wallet makes little sense and would be near useless. A breast wallet needs to be low-profile and thin in order to fit nicely inside a jacket or coat. Calfskin makes a lot more sense in that context.

Smythson leather quality is no good and overpriced; I'd avoid. Launer seems nicer, but I only have an eyeglass case from them so I can't say much. No experience with Ettinger or Foster & Son, though the latter is a shoemaker and not where I'd think to go to first for a wallet.

My Hermes breast wallet is fantastic, but cost a small fortune. If you are willing to do a little more leg work, you can get similar quality for much less from an independant craftsman. There are plenty of Hermes alum out there to pick from (see T4phage's recent thread on his bespoke sharkskin belt for an example). However, they are mostly in France.

I've seen April in Paris goods in person and met Bea, the owner and founder. Quality seemed top-notch, but her default designs are a touch too 'stylized' for my taste. From all accounts though, she can make something to suit your specific preferences.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 21
10/11/11 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post

Brigg leather goods are made of bridle leather; as such, a Brigg breast wallet makes little sense and would be near useless. A breast wallet needs to be low-profile and thin in order to fit nicely inside a jacket or coat. Calfskin makes a lot more sense in that context.
Calfskin would be my preference ... but the bridal leather isn't so thick that it will ruin the lines of a coat made to hold it. I doubt I'd hesitate to use it even with a OTR coat and 'stock' breast pockets.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post

I've seen April in Paris goods in person and met Bea, the owner and founder. Quality seemed top-notch, but her default designs are a touch too 'stylized' for my taste. From all accounts though, she can make something to suit your specific preferences.

She does indeed carry out custom designs. I have a tendency to draft my own designs for wallets. Shops like April in Paris come to the rescue.
Edited by RSS - 10/11/11 at 1:09pm
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 21
10/11/11 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RSS View Post

Calfskin would be my preference ... but the bridal leather isn't so thick that it will ruin the lines of a coat made to hold it. I doubt I'd hesitate to use it with a OTR coat.

My own experience was with a Brigg hip wallet in bridle leather. The quality was great for the price, but it was like carrying around a small hardcover book in my pocket.

Also, the refinement level of Brigg's workmanship is more suitable to luggage and bags. On smaller items, the stitching can appear a bit heavy-handed, even a bit rough-shod.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 21
10/11/11 at 11:21am
Launer do an excellent breast wallet and it can be made in other colours than shown on their website - just email them fr details. No extra charge for this.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 21
10/11/11 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mafoofan View Post

Brigg leather goods are made of bridle leather; as such, a Brigg breast wallet makes little sense and would be near useless. A breast wallet needs to be low-profile and thin in order to fit nicely inside a jacket or coat. Calfskin makes a lot more sense in that context.
Smythson leather quality is no good and overpriced; I'd avoid. Launer seems nicer, but I only have an eyeglass case from them so I can't say much. No experience with Ettinger or Foster & Son, though the latter is a shoemaker and not where I'd think to go to first for a wallet.
My Hermes breast wallet is fantastic, but cost a small fortune. If you are willing to do a little more leg work, you can get similar quality for much less from an independant craftsman. There are plenty of Hermes alum out there to pick from (see T4phage's recent thread on his bespoke sharkskin belt for an example). However, they are mostly in France.
I've seen April in Paris goods in person and met Bea, the owner and founder. Quality seemed top-notch, but her default designs are a touch too 'stylized' for my taste. From all accounts though, she can make something to suit your specific preferences.

I have an Ettinger bridle hide coat wallet and haven't had any problems with it ruining a jacket line, although I could appreciate the aesthetic pleasure of softer calf...

Your observations about Smythson are interesting; I have only seen their items in passing, so haven't really had a serious inspection of their workmanship.

WS Foster/Henry Maxwell make bespoke wallets and individuals that I know who have used them have spoken highly of their wallets etc., irrespective of whether they are "normally" shoemakers. Our friends over at LL were recently discussing some of their wares...

Ex-Hermes workers seem very much the way to go if you have cash to spare... I have an AiP credit card case that is lovely, and would consider commissioning more pieces from her in future.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Breast Coat Wallet