Where I got it
Ever since I had kids, I have ditched the large wallet and I have swapped my Prada Double Zip Tote to an LV Favourite crossbody. I used a backpack for all the baby stuff and I managed to stuff my items in the backpack as well. Then I separated my items into a small crossbody when I needed to take fewer baby items out. For about 3 years, I have been using a good old coin/card pouch I got as a gift with purchase from Antipodes. It has served me well, it was durable, functional, simple and chic, but I feel that it is time for something new. So I was looking around for a new card-holder I can put in my smaller crossbody bags, and a wallet when I am wearing a bigger bag and need to carry more items around with me.
I wanted something durable, timeless, simple and elegant. I also wanted a dark colourway because I don’t really look after my bags and leather goods very well so I don’t want to get something high maintenance. I love how it has 4 card slots inside the compartment and the main compartment is quite spacious in the middle where I can put more cards and some cash in there. An extra back pocket is also great for receipts and random stuff.
Luisaviaroma packaging
I usually shop on MyTheresa for luxury items, but unfortunately, they didn’t have it in the black colourway, so I looked on Net-a-porter, Luisaviaroma and Farfetched. I put the item into my wishlist and use Shoptagr to keep a track of discount codes and any price changes. Within 2 weeks, Luisaviaroma had a 20% discount on with their new summer/spring 2020 collection and this wallet was included in the sale so I got a 20% discount from €375 to €330, and there was a shipping fee of €30 to New Zealand (works out to be $628.80 at the time of rates conversion including shipping). I also used Rakuten for a 3.5% cashback to save a little bit of money.
Packaging and shipping
I ordered the wallet on 13th March and it arrived on 19th March. All Luisaviaroma packages come in a plastic wrap and their special black tape with their logo all over it. It is not the most sustainable packaging, but they use the plastic wrap and tape to ensure that the package has not been opened. It comes in their dark blue (almost black) square box, and inside they wrap the actual Saint Laurent box with tissue paper and a Luisaviaroma ribbon with the invoice on top. Saint Laurent have this black sturdy cardboard box for the SLGs with a dust bag and care card. The wallet is in brand new condition, no scratches and fraying threads, etc.
Design and material
This is the Saint Laurent Monogram Envelope Wallet in Black. The leather is called Grain De Poudre Embossed Leather and it is made of 100% calf-skin leather in Italy. It is 13.5cm x 9.5cm x 3.0cm with a snap front closure, 1 open compartment with 4 card slots inside, and an extra back slot pocket. This one has gold-tone hardware and it does come in silver-tone hardware.
Front snap closure
The Grain De Poudre Embossed leather is really durable and tough. It looks quite glossy at the moment and the hardware is shiny. With hardware that sticks out like that, that shine won’t last very long in my bag. The snap closure is quite secure and doesn’t just pop open. My current items fit in there nicely and with some extra cash as well. I can also fit some receipts at the back pocket which I clear out weekly anyway.
Back pocket
Practicality and style
Absolutely love this style and the leather and the logo at the front. I bought the cardholder in the Powder colourway and I loved it, so I decided to get the wallet as well. The black colour is very chic and elegant, sophisticated and timeless. I was looking at the powder colourway as well, but I figured that it will get dirty very fast so I decided to get black instead.
I put 4 of my most used cards in the slots and any extra ones in the main compartment as well as some extra cash. Receipts in the back pocket and everything is easy to find and access. Cannot be happier, this wallet should last me a good few years.
Central compartment with 4 card slots
