The Incredible Variety of Hermès Wallets

You use it every day. It has to be functional, well made and attractive. Every time you open your bag – there it is! – your wallet. Hermès is, of course, famous and beloved for its gorgeous purses, but what you keep inside your purse is just as important, and nothing is more important than your wallet (how else are you going to pay for all of your purchases?!?).

Hermès makes a huge variety of wallets, and each is well-designed and durable. Some are incredibly versatile, doing double-duty as a mini shoulder bag or a clutch. In fact, there are so many varieties of wallets that Hermès makes, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide which one is the best for your needs. Here, then, are some great Hermès wallets that you may want to consider the next time you need to add a new little pop of color in your bag.

THE SMALL BUT FIERCE

SILK’IN COMPACT WALLET

Measures 3.7″ long x 4.5″ high x 0.4″ deep. Price: $770

The Silk’In Compact Wallet is one of Hermès’ least-expensive wallets, and at that it is a fantastic value. While it doesn’t have the exterior appeal of some of the other wallets, it more than makes up for that in usefulness and durability. The lining is silk, which may be concerning, but it truly stands up to a lot of wear, and the cheerful designs are a fun surprise every time you open it up. Although it has six slots and a zippered coin pocket, it holds far more than six cards; in many cases you can stick two cards in each slot plus more (plus receipts, cash and other small items) in the open areas on either side of the zippered section. This is the perfect day-to-night wallet, as it fits in most of the mini bags, including the Kelly Pochette. The fact that the whole thing zippers shut means that everything in it is very secure, too. 

BEARN COMPACT WALLET

Measures 4.7″ long x 3.7″ high x 0.2″ deep. Price $2,225 (epsom)

Very popular, great useful layout and super-flat. Perfect for minimalists.

DOGON COMPACT WALLET

Measures 7.9″ long x 4.9″ high x 0.4″ deep. Price: $1,475 (togo), $1,575 (evercolor)

Slim profile and simple design. Great if you don’t like fiddling around with card slots and sections.

2002 WALLET

Measures 4.7″ long x 4.7″ high x 1″ deep. Price: $3,775 (evergrain)

Also slim and very secure, but pricey. Has a loop in the back so it can be worn on a belt.

THE DOUBLE TROUBLE

These two pouch-style wallets are similar in size, with the Jige being a little bit longer. Both have the separate pouch insert. These are both great if you have a lot of papers and other things to carry along with your cards and bills and don’t need the precise organization of the more traditional wallet styles. Each has a different tab-style closure, which is great if you need easy quick access and security is not a concern. Each also has a fairly slim profile if you don’t stuff it too much.

DOGON DUO REGULAR/LARGE

Measures 4.9″ x 7.9″. Price: $2,025 (togo), $2,125 (evercolor), $2,150 (swift)

JIGE DUO/DUO VERSO

Measures 8.6″ long x 4.9″ high x 0.4″ deep. Price: $3,725 (swift)

THE ELEGANT DESIGN

BEARN WALLET

Measures 6.9″ long x 3.5″ high x 0.2″ deep. Price: $2,625 (epsom)

This is the ultimate classic Hermès wallet. Three long slots for cash and five for cards, plus a long zippered section, this closes simply and elegantly with a tab and slot. The slim design dissuades you from overstuffing it. Secret bonus: that long slot in the back, which was probably originally meant for a checkbook, will accommodate many cell phones. It’s elegant, it’s easy, it’s classic, and it does the job.

For a similar option:

KELLY WALLET

(also known as the Kelly Medium)

Measures 6.1″ long x 4.1″ high x 0.6″ deep. Price: $3,375 (epsom), $3,525 (chevre)

The smaller version of the Kelly Classic. Has the iconic turncock closure, but a bit smaller than the Kelly Classic and with less storage.

THE CLASSICALLY HERMÈS WALLETS

I am listing these four wallets here together because the size, layout and interior design of these is essentially the same for each, with only minor differences. Any of these is a very practical choice, with at least 12 slots for cards, 2 longer slots for bills or papers, a zippered middle section, and open areas on each side of the zippered sections for other small items. As for those open areas, with the Kelly Wallet I have successfully stored an iPhone, lip liner and/or lip gloss, but if you are storing something that bulky in one area you cant fit anything in the other area if you want to close it.

The differences between these wallets are essentially the exterior design, although with the Silk’In Classic the interior is lined in silk, which is very sturdy and cheerful. This also brings the price down by over $2000, so there is that to consider as well.

The Kelly Classic is the most expensive of these options, and for the extra cost you get the traditional turnlock closure, which is both secure and very visually appealing, although some people find it a bit cumbersome to open and close all the time, and there is the concern that the lock itself may press into and mark other leather items inside your bag. It could possibly be used as a clutch for evening, though some may find that it’s just a touch on the small side visually for that. The Azap and Silk’In classic are very plain on the outside, but both are very secure with the zipper closure. The only other difference is the strap on the Azap Large with Strap, which is great if you are using this as a clutch or wristlet.

KELLY CLASSIC WALLET

Measures 7.8″ long x 4.5″ high x 0.6″ deep. Price: $3,525 (epsom), $3,650 (chevre)

AZAP CLASSIC WALLET

Measures 7.9″ long x 4.3″ high x 0.6″ deep. Price: $2,900 (epsom), $3,000 (togo, chevre)

AZAP LARGE WITH LUCKY STRAP

Measures 7.9″ long x 4.3″ high x 0.6″ deep. Price: $3,250 (epsom)

SILK’IN CLASSIC WALLET

Measures 7.9″ long x 4.5″ high x 0.6″ deep. Price: $1,175 (epsom)

THE GRANDE DAME

CONSTANCE WALLET

Measures 8.1″ long x 5.1″ high x 0.8″ deep. Price: $4,750

One of the most expensive wallets Hermès makes, costing more than many bags from other designers, the Constance Wallet holds everything the Kelly Classic size holds, and just a bit more. The easiest to open and close with the signature H closure, this will hold all your cards and bills and your phone, like the Kelly, in a size that feels substantial enough to be an evening clutch; even that little extra pocket on the back is perfect for holding your valet claim check at dinner or your table card at an event. It’s quite large and will not fit in many of the smaller bags, but it’s beautiful and has the advantage of not being very bulky for its size or having parts that may mar or dent other items in your bag.

And finally, for those who need their wallets to go:

THE STRAP-HAPPY

While the first five recommendations are for the more typical wallet styles, Hermès has added a few wallet-on-a-strap styles over the past several seasons, so these are all relatively new designs. All are very well designed to maximize usage of their small spaces. The exterior of the Mini Convoyeur gives the appearance of a day-to-night city bag, for when you are traveling and need to keep a few things close at hand, and the interior has several pockets and a good amount of space in the areas on either side of the zippered compartment. The Cinhetic has some nice sections too, but is more for those who do not need to carry more than the bare essentials in style (although the Cinhetic To Go is a bit larger, it still retains the same minimalist design). The Clic 16 is the largest and the slimmest of these choices, with no zippered section and a single, larger interior space. If you are choosing between these three it really just comes down to your preferred layout and how you prefer your things to be organized.

MINI CONVOYEUR

Measures 6″ long x 4.5″ high x 1.3″ deep. Price: $4,175 (evercolor)

CINHETIC MINI WALLET

Measures 4.8″ long x 4.3″ high. Price: $4,300 (chevre)

CLIC 16 WALLET

Measures 6.3″ long x 5.5″ high x 0.5″ deep. Price: $2,600 (epsom), $2,725 (chevre)

Final Thoughts

Just remember, there really is no wrong choice, as all of these designs are well-made and well-styled. It definitely helps to have an idea of what you need and what kind of layout you prefer.

One final note, which sounds completely impractical, but is just my observation from years of experience: if possible, do not use the change section of a wallet for coins. Yes, it’s made for that, but at least for me, all my wallets tend to look better for a much longer period of time if I don’t put coins in there. I use a Bastia for coins, along with guitar picks, small scarf rings and earbuds, which adds another bit of color to my bag and helps keep me organized, too.

As always – do what works for you!