Advise on Hermes mens wallet - Page 3

Wow.  I never thought wallets could be such a controversial topic.

Hi Takashi,

I did briefly consider an Hermes wallet a few years ago, but I decided it was too much money for a very small piece of leather, although I do appreciate that they use a double saddle stitch which is very strong and durable.  For me it wasn't simply the price that caused me not to buy it, it was the fact that it was only leather and not croc , aligator or something exotic for that money.  Also, as someone that worked at stores that sold leather goods (hand bags, wallets, and briefcases), wallets are one of the least durable items a person can buy.  Often times people overstuff them, stretching the skin and stitching, and they look like junk in 3 years.  If you are going to use it everyday, its just not going to last very long.  In the end, I saw a beautiful Ralph Lauren alligator wallet, and the inside panels of the wallet were also lined in aligator (many times crocodile/alligator wallets use calf skin on parts other than the exterior surface).  It was originally more expensive than the Hermes calfskin wallet, but it was on sale, and RL had sent a coupon for an additional discount and it ended up costly me about $200 less than the Hermes. 

I don't use my RL alligator wallet everyday.  For everyday use I have a Porsche Design wallet with a pebble grain finish (in dark green) that has held up quite well.  Pebble grain hides scratches pretty well and tends to be a bit more rugged/durable than smooth calfskin.  I bought the RL because I wanted a nice wallet for evenings out with my wife, or if I'm very dressed up.  I don't want to be wearing a nice suit and have a ratty looking everyday wallet when I go to pay for things. To me its a little like wearing a cheap watch or cheap cufflinks with a nice suit.  My watch and/or cufflinks are under my shirt sleeves most times so they only gets appreciated when I specifically check the time, but I know they are there and I know they are good quality.  I've owned lots of wallets over the years (several were gifts) LV, Gucci, Prada, Porsche Design, and I've generally found most brands if used everyday rarely look good beyond 3 years.   

I really like Hermes leather goods.  I think they make some of the best leather goods, and my wife has 3 of their handbags.  Their hand bags are considerably more expensive than most offerings from LV, Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo etc, but a hand bag is larger, requires more matterial and you can see more of the workmanship on a handbag than on a wallet, hence I think it makes more sense for people to buy their handbags than their wallets. 

Below is a quick photo of my alligator wallet.

Best regards,

Dino

Quick inside view showing alligator inside rather than calf

What are the details on those cufflinks, simply awesome!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino944 

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

 

Wow.  I never thought wallets could be such a controversial topic.

 

Hi Takashi,

 

I did briefly consider an Hermes wallet a few years ago, but I decided it was too much money for a very small piece of leather, although I do appreciate that they use a double saddle stitch which is very strong and durable.  For me it wasn't simply the price that caused me not to buy it, it was the fact that it was only leather and not croc , aligator or something exotic for that money.  Also, as someone that worked at stores that sold leather goods (hand bags, wallets, and briefcases), wallets are one of the least durable items a person can buy.  Often times people overstuff them, stretching the skin and stitching, and they look like junk in 3 years.  If you are going to use it everyday, its just not going to last very long.  In the end, I saw a beautiful Ralph Lauren alligator wallet, and the inside panels of the wallet were also lined in aligator (many times crocodile/alligator wallets use calf skin on parts other than the exterior surface).  It was originally more expensive than the Hermes calfskin wallet, but it was on sale, and RL had sent a coupon for an additional discount and it ended up costly me about $200 less than the Hermes. 

 

I don't use my RL alligator wallet everyday.  For everyday use I have a Porsche Design wallet with a pebble grain finish (in dark green) that has held up quite well.  Pebble grain hides scratches pretty well and tends to be a bit more rugged/durable than smooth calfskin.  I bought the RL because I wanted a nice wallet for evenings out with my wife, or if I'm very dressed up.  I don't want to be wearing a nice suit and have a ratty looking everyday wallet when I go to pay for things. To me its a little like wearing a cheap watch or cheap cufflinks with a nice suit.  My watch and/or cufflinks are under my shirt sleeves most times so they only gets appreciated when I specifically check the time, but I know they are there and I know they are good quality.  I've owned lots of wallets over the years (several were gifts) LV, Gucci, Prada, Porsche Design, and I've generally found most brands if used everyday rarely look good beyond 3 years.   

 

I really like Hermes leather goods.  I think they make some of the best leather goods, and my wife has 3 of their handbags.  Their hand bags are considerably more expensive than most offerings from LV, Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo etc, but a hand bag is larger, requires more matterial and you can see more of the workmanship on a handbag than on a wallet, hence I think it makes more sense for people to buy their handbags than their wallets. 

 

Below is a quick photo of my alligator wallet.

Best regards,

Dino

 

Quick inside view showing alligator inside rather than calf

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDT 


Hi takashi78, mind me asking, do you know this guy? www.sohighfashion.blogspot.com I believe he's a fellow countryman of yours. He goes by the name of Hermes Man on SF. A self confessed brand whore, describes himself as "Chinese Alpha Male".

Hermes belt, Hermes scarf oh so frenchman.. so elegant.

what a joke this guy is. but maybe I'm biased since he's listing shark fin soup as his favorite of all the soups....