Wallet & Mind — To stay light, yet keep what matters close.

It seems that a wallet reflects more than we think— the values we hold, the small preferences we live by, even the way we move through life.
In other words, by looking at someone’s wallet, a glimpse of who they are begins to emerge. Almost like a quiet kind of personality test.
In this series, we speak with people close to REN who use our wallets, exploring the connection between what they carry and who they are.
Perhaps, through these stories, the wallet you choose might reveal something about yourself as well.

A REN Staff Favorite

My Favorite Wallet

Mini wallet - Black / cowhide Baby buffalo

Q. How long have you been using this wallet?

A. About two and a half years.

Q. How often do you replace your wallet, and what usually prompts you to do so?

A. Before I started using this wallet, I used to replace mine about every two years.

▲ Right: A cowhide “Soram” mini wallet (peacock green) used two years ago

Q. What kind of wallet were you using before this one?

A. Actually, I was using the same design in a different material called “Soram.” I had started to notice some dryness on the leather surface, but I really liked the shape, so I decided to try it in another material. The baby buffalo leather feels soft and almost clings to the skin, and I was drawn to its texture.

Q. What do you look for when choosing a wallet?

A. I like to keep things light, whether it’s a workday or a day off. So I tend to choose bags around B5 size, and on my days off, I often carry a drawstring bag as well. I’m not very tall, so larger bags don’t really suit me. That’s why, when choosing a wallet, it has to fit comfortably into a smaller bag—that’s my starting point.

Q. What do you usually carry in your wallet, and how much do you keep in it?

A. I usually keep a certain amount of cash—both bills and coins—in my wallet. I’m also the type who finds it hard to cut down on cards. I carry more than ten at all times, including membership cards for places I visit regularly, like the dentist, as well as my credit cards. I like to keep important things close, so I can’t really leave them at home. I also end up keeping all the omikuji fortunes I’ve drawn that year in there (laughs).

Q. Do you ever feel any stress when using your wallet?

A. I mainly rely on cash, so just being small isn’t enough when it comes to a wallet. I used to use a clasp wallet, and I had to fold each bill to fit it inside, which was quite a hassle. Still, I preferred that over having a wallet that was too large to fit in my bag, so I made it work. This wallet is also quite compact, so there’s a limit to how much it can hold. That said, I don’t need to fold my bills, and the coin pocket actually stretches over time, allowing it to hold more than you might expect. Since there are separate spaces for bills, coins, and cards, everything is easy to access. Now, as long as I adjust how much cash I carry and keep it within the range where the button closes comfortably, it’s almost completely stress-free.

Q. Do you take care of your wallet in any particular way?

A. I don’t do any particular care. With the Soram wallet I used before, I started to notice some dryness when I didn’t maintain it. But with the baby buffalo leather, it hasn’t deteriorated, and the soft, slightly supple feel I noticed at the beginning is still there even after two and a half years. It really feels like it continues to grow over time.

Q. Since you started using this wallet, have you noticed any positive changes in your daily life?

A. I no longer have to choose my bag based on the size of my wallet. I can now carry the bags I like without having to compromise.

Q. What does a wallet mean to you?

A. I think a wallet is like an extension of yourself—something that reflects your feelings and who you are.

A. When I choose a new wallet, I think I tend to imagine the kind of person I want to be at that time, and then choose a color and shape that feel right for that image. There was a time when I chose bold colors and unique designs because I wanted to express a more distinctive side of myself. When I chose this baby buffalo mini wallet, I felt drawn to something truly simple. Its understated, almost minimal presence felt just right for who I was then. That’s also why I chose it in black.