As a long time advocate of large oversized handbags, I haven’t dabbled in the world of mini bags or wallets on chains (also known lovingly as WOCs). Like many things changing in 2020, my purse choices have also changed drastically over the last year. I find myself carrying smaller bags that I can wear crossbody to avoid having to put them down in public places, something I never worried about before. Long gone are the days of me putting a big tote bag inside of a shopping cart, and I now opt to keep my handbag strapped on when I’m running errands.
Because of this sudden shift in how I wear my handbags, I have been paying a lot more attention to WOCs, a handbag style I have admittedly underestimated up until this point. Not quite a mini bag in the truest sense, however still small but mighty, a wallet on a chain is ideal for downsizing your bag. It fits all of the essentials with little room to spare, but I find these days that is really all I need. My only hesitation is that I do have asthma and I’m wondering about fitting an inhaler inside, so for that reason I would choose a larger size with a bigger flap.
My obsession with getting a wallet on a chain has been intense lately and I have been browsing the internet for my favorites (and making a holiday shopping list in the process). One thing I have been delighted by is the lower price points than a typical handbag purchase. Smaller sizes come with smaller price tags, and wallet on chains are even less expensive than their mini bag counterparts. For that reason, I may even get two!
My favorites I have found are listed below. Do you carry a WOC? Let me know in the comments if it works for you!
Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini Leather Chain Wallet Crossbody ($995)
Gucci 1955 Horsebit Leather Chain Wallet ($950)
Chanel Le Boy Wallet On a Chain ($2500)
Rebecca Minkoff Edie Wallet On a Chain ($188)
Valentino Garavani VLOGO Wallet-On-Chain ($695)
Kurt Geiger London Stripe Leather Chain Wallet ($135)
Miu Miu Tonal Stitching Wallet On Chain ($1,070)
Prada Shoulder Strap Wallet ($595)
Saint Laurent Uptown Small Leather Clutch ($1,050)
Valentino Garavani V Sling Micro Wallet With Chain ($795)
Givenchy GV3 MLG Leather Chain Wallet ($1,250)
Tory Burch Kira Quilted Leather Chain Wallet Bag ($328)
Fendi Wallet On a Chain ($1,490)
I bought a Tory Burch due to Covid, but it is too small to carry my items. I went back to using my crossbody bags.
I don’t find WOCs functional either. I have several minis from various brands. They do the job nicely.
No constance or Kelly to go?
The Fendi is calling my name!!!
I have used a WOC for the past 25 years and I love them. I do not carry them exclusively but I do use them for travel, dinners out, and running errands. My favorite is the Chanel Timeless and they have actually been good investments. I have 6 that I bought for less than $1000 each and they are right at $2000 now, I think. They look nice and are extremely versatile.
I miss the Loewe wallet bag with chain ?
I’m a big bag girl but I think WOCs have a permanent place in the handbag universe. The Gucci is really pretty, and I really like the TB Keira as well.
I have a Lauren Ralph Lauren WOC that I bought preloved over 3 yrs ago for 40 €, switched the strap for a longer one and it’s serving as my choice for WOC or clutch whenever I need a light color. I can fit a bunch of cards, cash, phone, lipstick, key, so all I need for a short outing or as an addition to a larger bag. It’ really handy for travel.
Lately I have been favoring my DKNY quilted shiny Sofia, which isn’t a WOC per se but it has a few card slots, a zipper compartment and it’s the size of a WOC.
I also have a RM Biker WOC but I have never used it, it’s too slim to fit my stuff. It’s basically a regular continental wallet that just doesn’t work well as a WOC. It takes some thought to get it right.