UPDATE: First Luxury Wallet Purchase! đ€đ„č
This is an update to a previous post! This is the link https://www.reddit.com/r/handbags/comments/1fgpu9h/first_luxury_wallet_purchase_advice_needed/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button but you can also go on my profile to view it! So I ended up choosing the YSL CASSANDRE MATELASSĂ bi-fold wallet in grain de poudre leather in black with gold hardware. I went to all 3 stores that I listed in my previous post (Celine, Louis Vuitton, and YSL), and here are my thoughts on the other wallets and why I ended up choosing YSL (and why Iâll purchase from them again). To clarify all these stores were inside a luxury mall, so I knew there would be a possibility of a limited selection regarding colors and styles. Still, I didnât feel like traveling to each stand-alone boutique to get an idea of the items (I was willing to travel if I decided on which wallet I wanted and if it was only available at a stand-alone). Celine: The associate was okay (not nice, but also not rude) and he showed me all the colors they had available in the compact wallet with coin pouch. I compared the canvas to the shiny calfskin, they were both slightly textured and coated (textured enough to withstand small scratches but not a deep scratch). The canvas was light and thin, making the logo clasp feel heavy and out of place. The leather was coated and felt similar to the canvas, it seemed thin and the display wallet already had some wear on the edges and scratching on the Triomphe logo. The zipper was smooth, but the little buttons on the back were too âweakâ, it was really easy to pop the coin pouch off but I could tell if it was in your bag and something got wedged in between it would easily pop off. But when I was trying to clasp it back into the wallet the buttons were really small and it was kind of a struggle, so I knew the buttons were going to get super scratched and frustrate me if I ever needed to button it in a hurry. Overall the leather felt too thin and I could tell with wear that the card slots would get too loose, the hardware super scratched, the edges would have to get redone and sealed, and the buttons would piss me off, so it was a no. Especially since the logo is such a big factor on the wallet I feel like it getting damaged would kind of defeat the purpose. Looked at other SLGâs but nothing else caught my attention (the leather to me is the most important factor and it didnât stand out for the price tag) Louis Vuitton: The associates were nicer and I was approached once I entered, I asked for the Victorine and Zoe. The Victorine is BIG (would only work if you carry medium and larger-sized bags) the Zoe was basically a smaller version of the Victorine (but somehow theyâre the same price). I looked at both in the black Monogram Empreinte leather and the leather was a soft natural grain, textured but not coated, a standard thickness, and the imprinting was very pretty. The inside leather was the same soft grain but the card slots were still tight and the zipper was smooth and slightly heavy. The Zoe was the same on the inside just with fewer card slots, the back slot felt secure enough to hold the cards in place without them falling out. Even with fewer slots, I felt like I could still be able to fit as much as the Victorine. The button on both was still pristine and it was bigger than the Celine making it easier to close. However the soft leather felt like itâll get softer with time and wouldnât hold cards as securely, I feel like it would crease well but I wanted a harder wearing leather than that. Overall I had a good experience and the wallets seemed to be worth the price but it wasnât what I was looking for in the end. YSL: I was helped immediately, but my associate was just okay. I asked to see the Cassandre Tri-Fold and Bi-fold as well as the Uptown (which was unavailable), I also looked at others in the display case but they mostly had card holders or long wallets. The Trifold was probably as big as the Victorine, but it was bulkier than I expected due to the leather being thicker. There was a Cassandre wallet in Lambskin that I absolutely fell in love with. The leather was padded, untextured, and soft, but I could tell it would be delicate and would have to be babied (conditioned and used carefully). I also requested to see the leopard pony hair Le 5 A 7, and it was so beautiful! The pony hair was so soft and the bag was a Hobo Tote dream but it wasnât what I was looking for so itâll have to wait (if itâs even still available lol) WHAT I PURCHASED: The Cassandre Bi-fold was exactly what I was looking for! It was slightly smaller than the tri-fold but because it didnât have the extra fold, so the wallet was thinner and more practical to carry with my small purses. The leather is thick and very textured, I can tell it has some clear coating that will most likely wear off in the future but will definitely protect the leather from wear. I also signed up for the warranty which can be used at any boutique worldwide (I believe itâs just for repairs and cleaning but Iâm not sure). I like the mesh card slot for my IDs, the bill slot fits a full-sized bill, and the coin pouch is a pretty good size (and tight enough so it doesnât jingle). The button is a good size and I donât struggle closing it, opening takes some force but I donât mind since it feels secure. The logo doesnât stick out terribly from the wallet so I donât have to worry about it getting caught. The inside leather is not as textured but still can take some wear, the card slots are a little thin but theyâre very tight, so when they stretch out theyâll still be tight enough. Overall itâs definitely what I was looking for and fits into my lifestyle very well. I tried it out on all my bags and it fits into all of them, including my Lululemon belt bag (the normal size). My boutique didnât have the matte black with black hardware but I donât mind the gold hardware and didnât feel the need to travel to purchase it. Once I settled on the wallet I wanted and proceeded to purchase it the associate was nicer but If I shop there again I wouldnât request her ( I went with a friend and her associate was amazing from the start so Iâll most likely shop with her associate instead). I think YSLâs leather in terms of thickness, graining, and quality is the best for its buck IMO, since itâs at an attainable but still luxury price point. Depending on the wear, I would purchase from them again! Iâm sorry this is a long post but I wanted it to be as thorough as possible since this is a lot of money to spend on a wallet. I bought this item for life and donât plan on selling it. Taking it with me makes me feel so special, and Iâm so grateful for my Hubbyâs credit card (heâs really the best and lives by the âHappy Wife, Happy Lifeâ motto lol). I would still say to go check the items out yourself just based on your needs, in this review Iâm focused on the leather and âcraftmanshipâ of the item. Thanks for reading all my thoughts! đ«¶