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Best women's wallets and purses: store cards and cash in style with our top picks
It’s something we can’t live without, so why is it so hard to find the perfect purse? Here are the best women’s wallets and purses that offer both style and substance.
By Alice Cruickshank | Last updated Dec 20, 2023
Even in these cashless times, a good quality purse remains a handbag essential. A large purse can act as a card and phone holder-in-one, as well as providing space to file away receipts and other important bits and bobs. Alternatively, if you’re more of a minimalist, then a small purse or card holder is a must to keep your precious necessities safe.
Whether you’re looking for a big and luxurious designer purse or a compact and practical wallet, here are the best women's wallets and purses to buy for all budgets.
Mumsnetters know how to stay organised (and stylish) on the go. We've got guides to the best crossbody bags, the best bum bags, and the best work bags, all featuring product recommendations from our Style & Beauty talk forum.
Best women's wallets at a glance
Best overall wallet: Mulberry Continental French Purse | Buy now £350
Best budget wallet: LUROON RFID Blocking Large Purse | Buy now £27
Best large wallet: Fenella Smith Lara Purse | Buy now £36
Best vegan wallet: Will’s Vegan Store Continental Wallet | Buy now £78
Best leather wallet: Golunski Graffiti Small Leather Purse | Buy now £24
Best stylish wallet: Fossil Logan RFID Clutch Wallet | Buy now £55
Best small wallet: SENDEFN Compact Women's Wallet | Buy now £20
Best card holder: VULKIT RFID Pop Up Card Wallet | Buy now £16
1. Best overall purse: Mulberry Medium Continental French Purse
Price on writing: £350 | Buy now from Mulberry
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 11cm x 15cm x 2.5cm
What we like
Spacious interior
Very hard-wearing
What we don't like
It's a pricey purse - but some Mumsnetters would argue that it's worth the investment
What Mumsnet users say
"I have the Mulberry medium continental purse and love it. Had it for nearly two years now - very well used and not a scratch on it. I got the deep amber colour as it’s easier to find at the bottom of my bag!" - Recommended by Mumsnetter Newusernames
"I have a Mulberry Continental Wallet in Oak. It’s the best purse I’ve ever had. I’ve had 3 years now and it’s still as good as new. Plenty of space to keep lots of cards cash and change. Never lost anything from it either" - Tried and tested by Mumsnet user BJHair
"DH bought me a Mulberry purse for my 40th birthday. It is now over 20 years old and still going strong - remarkably good value despite being expensive at the time" - Rated by Mumsnetter QueenOfTheDoubleWide
Our verdict
A good quality purse can be a lifelong investment, and Mumsnetters are in love with the Mulberry Continental Purse.
With its timeless design, buttery soft leather, and variety of colours on offer, it’s easy to see why. Equipped with 11 credit card slots, a spacious area for cash and receipts, as well as a zipped compartment, this is a great mid-sized option for everyday use.
2. Best budget purse: LUROON RFID Blocking Women’s Large Purse
Price on writing: £27 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 19cm x 10cm x 3cm
What we like
Stylish, without costing the earth
Available in a wide range of colours
What we don't like
Some users report that the fastener is a little on the flimsy side
Our verdict
This affordable women’s purse by LUROON is anything but basic. You’ll find an impressive 24 card slots, all with RFID blocking technology to keep you safe from fraud, as well as a zip section for notes and receipts. There’s also two clear ID sections, and a handy wrist strap.
This purse is available in nine colours, including vibrant blue and red options that will be easy to find in the depths of your bag.
3. Best large purse: Fenella Smith Lara Purse
Price on writing: £36 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Material: PU | Size: 10cm x 19cm
What we like
Affordable price for a good-sized purse
Bold colour
Made from Vegan leather
What we don't like
Limited card storage
What Mumsnet users say
"My Fenella Smith burgundy purse arrived today, and I'm really pleased with it, especially for the price. Nice things don't need to literally cost the earth!" - Recommended by Mumsnetter IsolaPribby
Our verdict
A quality purse doesn’t have to break the bank, and this colourful choice from Fenella Smith is lovely. As well as a stylish vegan leather outer and leopard print inner lining, this roomy purse offers four card slots and a useful zip coin pocket.
Although we love the Fenella Smith Lara Purse, it's worth noting that there is limited space for cards, which could be a deal-breaker if you are after a purse to fill to the brim with shop loyalty cards.
4. Best vegan purse: Will’s Vegan Store Continental Wallet
Price on writing: £78 | Buy now from Will’s Vegan Store
Key specs
Material: Vegan leather | Size: N/A
What we like
Made from Vegan-friendly material
Versatile bag can be used for shopping or a night on the town
What we don't like
Minimalist appearance may not appeal to everyone
Our verdict
Not all vegan leathers are equal, with most made from plastic that sadly doesn’t last. If you’re after a vegan purse with ethics and sustainability at its core then this Continental Wallet from Will’s Vegan Store is hard to beat.
The faux leather is carbon neutral and high quality, and produced in an ethical factory. Even better is its roomy interior, with a zip-up coin compartment, six card slots, two wide slots and a slim pocket. The hand strap means you could also use this purse as an alternative to a bag for a night out or a quick trip to the shops.
5. Best leather purse: Golunski Graffiti Small Leather Purse
Price on writing: £24 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 7.5cm x 10cm x 2cm
What we like
Affordable option
Lots of bright, bold colours to choose from
What we don't like
Lurid colours aren't everybody's cup of tea
What Mumsnet users say
"You can't go wrong with these, they're nearly indestructible and half the price of those mentioned above." - Recommended by Mumsnetter GettingStuffed
Our verdict
If you don't want to spend the earth on a leather wallet, then this cheerful little number is perfect for you.
The Golunski Graffiti has a press stud fastening, five credit card slots and two slide-in pockets on the inside. On the outside there is a section for notes. There is also a zipped coin section with two compartments and a zipped section.
And if this isn't enough to convince you that the Golunski Graffiti is a great buy, this purse is RFID protected, meaning your credit cards and personal information can not be scanned and used by criminals. All for under £25.
6. Best stylish purse: Fossil Women's Logan RFID Clutch Wallet
Price on writing: £55 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Polyurethane | Size: 6.75" x 0.75" x 3.5"
What we like
A stylish and classy-looking purse
Plenty of room for credit and debit cards
Durable
What we don't like
If you don't carry many cards, it may be worth considering a more streamlined purse instead
What Mumsnet users say
"My last few (each lasting around 3 or 4 years) have been Fossil, I rate them - and good variety of styles." - Highly recommended by Mumsnet user AnotherFuckingUsername
Our verdict
We love this classic-look women's wallet from Fossil. This faux leather purse includes no less than 12 credit card slots, four compartments for cash and an ID window on the inside, with a back zipper pocket and a back slide pocket on the exterior.
Mumsnetters who have had Fossil wallets say they are durable and built-to-last, so for a little over £50, you are sure to get your money's worth.
7. Best small purse: SENDEFN Small Bifold Compact Women's Wallet
Price on writing: £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Leather | Size: 13cm x 10cm x 2cm
What we like
Affordable price
Plenty of colour choice
What we don't like
Might be too small for some
Our verdict
If the continental-style wallets feel rather large to you, then this compact alternative still offers plenty of space without the bulk.
There are six RFID-blocking card slots, a clear ID photo window, a zipped double coin segment, and a notes compartment all packed into this little purse. There’s also an additional removable card holder with an ID window that offers extra storage or can be used separately. At less than £20, this high quality purse is a bargain too!
8. Best card holder: VULKIT RFID Blocking Automatic Pop Up Card Wallet
Price on writing: £16 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Material: Aluminium | Size: 10cm ×6.3cm × 0.8cm
What we like
Doesn't take up much room in your pocket or handbag
Provides easy access to credit, debit and store cards
What we don't like
If you are looking for a wallet to keep your spare change in, then this isn't the one for you
What Mumsnet users say
"I have one of these and it’s brilliant. Holds several cards very securely (and blocked from readers) Fits into pretty much any pocket, and feels really good quality too" - Recommended by Mumsnetter Fabellini
Our verdict
As more of us go cashless, a streamlined cardholder is a great replacement for a bulky purse. The VULKIT aluminium card holder is extremely slimline, and holds five cards securely while taking up less space in your pocket than even your phone.
Unlike traditional clamshell-type card holders, this one has a fancy slide-up action to access your cards. Some of the colours of this card holder feel a little industrial, but we like the vibrant blue and orange options to make this practical item fun.
What should you carry in a purse?
Conventionally a good purse would offer space for notes, coins, and cards, with ID slots and other useful features a bonus. These days a purse can still be useful for keeping a mixture of cash and cards, or even as a handbag replacement. Some purses and wallets offer space to keep your phone and offer a wrist strap, to make this an invaluable all-rounder for every time you leave the house.
What’s the best material for a women’s purse?
Conventionally women’s purses are made from leather, as this is a hard wearing and stylish fabric. Many purses and wallets are now made from Saffiano leather, a luxurious form of leather that is highly durable, scratch-resistant, and repels water and stains. Canvas is another popular option, though this can get dirty quickly.
As many of us move to a plant-based or sustainable lifestyle, there is an increasing range of vegan leather alternatives available, including plant-based leather and even cork.
What is the best women’s purse to buy?
We evaluated the most popular, useful, and stylish purses available to buy, and looked to the Mumsnet forums to see which purses and wallets Mumsnetters are raving about. Mumsnetters’ most recommended women’s purse is the Mulberry Medium Continental French Purse and it’s easy to see why. With its spacious interior and stylish design, this purse is a brilliant investment buy.
How we choose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best women's wallets and purses you can buy this season including tried-and-tested experiences from a wide range of honest, trusted sources. Here’s how we narrowed it down to our top picks.
Mumsnet community
When it comes to stylish women's wallets and purses, Mumsnetters know a trusty carrier when they see (and use) one.
We first assessed all the recommendations from the Mumsnet community, getting feedback on the best women's purses and wallets they have personally used, reviewed and rated, including their favourite models, and must-have additional features such as RFID blocking. We also considered the reasons why Mumsnetters would avoid certain wallets and purses.
Expert opinions
We know that choosing the right women's purse or wallet takes a lot of thought and consideration, so we made sure our recommendations were well received within the bags and luggage industry, rated or recommended by travel experts and industry leaders.
Trusted consumer reviews
Finally, we scrutinised honest customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon and John Lewis to get wider consumer opinions on the products on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the best women's wallets and purses for a variety of needs including shopping and socialising, and gain a greater understanding of the pros and cons of each.
About the author
Alice Cruickshank is a content creator, with experience covering topics from parenting, business, fashion, and environmentalism. When she's not writing or making fun Instagram Reels, Alice works to inspire women to love their wardrobe and wear the colourful outfits of their dreams. You'll find her (and her vibrant wardrobe) at Styled by Alice and on Instagram.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products in a wide variety of categories.
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is important to us and that's why we're always upfront about the research we do, and where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family and strive to offer impartial advice across the board.