Line His Pockets With a Wallet : Any Way You Fold It, a Billfold Is a Gift He’ll Keep Close All Year

If you want to give a man a gift he’ll keep close, grow attached to and use just about every day, try a wallet. Few things are more personal or as important to a man as his billfold.

Wallets vary, from large credit card receptacles to small trifolds that fit easily in a back pocket. Whatever the style, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a wallet.

“The feel of leather is important--the softer, the better,” says Marleau Borsack, vice president of purchasing for El Portal in MainPlace/Santa Ana.

Slim is also in. “It’s important that the wallet is small and thin. Men want something that will fit into their back pockets easily,” says Michael Thompson, assistant manager of Luggage for Less in Fountain Valley.

Men also want a wallet with capacity. “It’s important that everything fit easily into the wallet, like credit cards, money and pictures,” says Al Breen, assistant manager of Mark Cross Inc. in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa.

Here’s a selection of stores that offer wallets:

BIFOLDS

For a medium-sized wallet with a lot of room, try a bifold, which folds in half.

The Bifold by Buxton sold at the Leather Hide Out in Tustin is described by shop owner Young Lim as “luxurious looking.” This wallet is made of baby soft kidskin leather and has six credit card slots, one money compartment, an identification window and a removable plastic picture insert. Choose from black or brown ($14.25).

Leather Hide Out, 2979 El Camino Real, Tustin, (714) 544-2424.

J.C. Penney has the Billfold by Stafford. This bifold has a plastic card keeper that holds eight credit cards and two currency pockets for small and large bills. It also has the added benefit of an I.D. “pass case,” a clear plastic I.D. and credit card holder that can be removed when the rest of the wallet isn’t needed. The wallet comes in black and brown ($21).

J.C. Penney: Buena Park Mall, (714) 828-6030; 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 646-5021; 9741 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, (714) 530-5600; Huntington Center, Huntington Beach, (714) 892-7771; Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 581-7700; Mall of Orange, (714) 998-9700 and The City Mall, Orange, (714) 634-1600.

BILLFOLDS

When you want a standard-sized wallet that holds a lot of credit cards and still fits into a back pocket, a billfold is your best best.

El Portal has a thin-style Men’s Billfold by Yamani that accommodates six credit cards. For security, this wallet has one section for small bills and another for larger currency. It is made of soft cowhide leather and comes in black, burgundy and brown ($35).

El Portal, MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 558-2802 and Los Cerritos Center, (714) 826-9360.

The Window Billfold by Mark Cross at Mark Cross Inc. has a variety of compartments, including three credit card holders and a plastic window for storing a driver’s license, behind which more credit cards can be inserted. There are two pockets for small and large bills.

Sliding money and papers in and out of this wallet is easy, says assistant manager Al Breen, because the billfold is lined in silk. It’s Windsor calf leather and comes in brown, black and black and sienna ($100).

Mark Cross Inc., South Coast Plaza, (714) 957-9255.

HIPSTERS

If you like the look of the bifold, but want a wallet that’s a little taller and able to hold more credit cards, then the Hipster is for you.

Luggage for Less carries The Hipster by Prince Gardener. Although this square wallet holds a lot, it fits comfortably in a pant’s back pocket, says assistant manager Michael Thompson.

The wallet has 10 credit card slots; six inserts for extra cards; an I.D. window for a driver’s license and a section for money. It is made of soft cowhide leather and comes in brown and black ($15). Luggage For Less, 17850 Newhope St., Fountain Valley, (714) 434-6401.

Leatherland carries the Hipfold by St. Dennis, a slim wallet that houses 12 credit cards slots, two sections for money and six inserts for pictures. It is made of genuine lambskin, which salesperson Nicole McDargh says is the best type of leather for a wallet “because it lasts a long time and always feels soft.” Choose from black, brown and burgundy ($20).

Leatherland, Buena Park Mall, (714) 821-4167.

PASS-CASE WALLETS

A pass-case wallet is perfect for the man who sometimes likes to leave his wallet behind. These have pull-out business card size “pass cases,” which have clear plastic windows for I.D. and room for a few credit cards.

The Pass Case by St. Dennis at the Leather Connection has a black pass case that carries I.D. and five to six credit cards. In addition, the wallet has two money sections and four credit card compartments that accommodate eight cards. It is made of lambskin lined in suede. Available in black, burgundy and brown (regularly $29, on sale until Dec. 24 at $23). Leather Connection, 540 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (714) 494-3394.

Rooten’s Luggage carries the Pass Case Wallet by Gary’s in Los Angeles. This wallet is small--no bigger than a dollar when unfolded, says store manager Steve Barton. There is an I.D. window and room for eight credit cards. The wallet is made of lambskin and comes in various shades of brown, black and burgundy ($50).

Rooten’s Luggage, Mission Viejo Mall, (714) 582-2360.

TRIFOLDS

If you’re looking for the smallest of wallets that still packs a lot--including keys--try a trifold.

Golden Hills Luggage carries the Trifold by Rolf. This small wallet carries eight credit cards, has a section for money and a compartment that holds two keys. It is made of cowhide leather and comes in black, brown and burgundy ($18.50-$23).

Golden Hills Luggage, 9 City Blvd. West, Orange, (714) 939-9309.

The Trifold by Amity sold at Target is made of soft, worn-looking leather and comes in a variety of colors, including brown, black and dark gray. It has a place for two credit cards; two picture holders; an I.D. window case; money section and a compartment for two keys ($13).

Target Stores: 1881 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, (714) 999-0606; 6835 Katella Ave., Cypress, (714) 220-2000; 2920 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 579-3090; 12100 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, (714) 971-4826; 13831 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, (714) 534-2142; 9882 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 964-8008; 3750 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, (714) 857-8337; 1000 E. Imperial Highway, La Habra, (714) 870-0686; 26932 E. La Paz Road, Laguna Hills, (714) 643-0337; 24500 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo, (714) 583-1298; 2191 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, (714) 974-2800; 3300 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 641-4944; 1330 E. 17th St. Santa Ana, (714) 541-4593; 16400 Beach Blvd., Westminster, (714) 841-4449.