It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers highly giftable ideas with a few examples piggy-backed onto each. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.
Guys just don’t swap out their wallets like women change out their purses. BUT, many a well dressed guy will transfer their cash and a few cards to a slim card case when they’re more dressed up. A heavy billfold just doesn’t feel right in the back pocket of a pair of suit pants.
But what about the cash? True, most can get by on just plastic. And many card cases have a spot for bills. But a toned down, non-cheesy money clip is both functional and good looking. Cash is both classy, and king. And by giving a money clip as a gift, you wish the recipient good fortune. Here are 10 options that we hope stay chock full of cheddar for you, or the person on your list.
#1. Coach Legacy “Bleeker” Money Clip – $48
Overpriced? Yeah. Noticeably nicer than money clips that use lower grades of leather and come in at a much lower price point? Absolutely. And that can make for a good gift-giving situation. It’s something practical and of nicer quality that most might not buy for themselves, yet would love as a gift. It’s precisely why flame-throwers sell so well this time of year.
#2. TUMI Bowery Magnetic Money Clip – $28.87 w/ GRNMON14
Big fan of the “pewter” grey tone here. And those perforations look fast. Like, driving gloves, or the wrapped steering wheel on an old roadster. Okay, it’s just a money clip, but the details do seem nice. Made by the luggage company. A bit thicker thank you’d expect. (A quick note about magnetic money clips & mechanical watches: Keep em’ separate. The magnets in many a money clip can really screw up the guts of a mechanical/automatic watch. So, be careful with where you set those things down)
#3. Maxx&Unicorn Co. Brass Money Clip – $32.98 ($38)
A brilliant combination of industrial design and understated elegance. Solid brass. Made in Brooklyn. Tough as nails. Sold by Huckberry. Also available in a “black oxide”.
#4. Cole Haan Croc Print or Grain Money Clip – $35.99
Dependable magnetic numbers from Cole Haan. Plenty of different color combos to choose from. On sale through 6pm.com, but they will often go on sale (for dirt cheap) at Amazon or through Cole Haan direct. (Note: Want the brown croc option? Head here and try “HOLIDAYFF” to drop it to $20.99. Want the black grain? Head here and do the same.)
#5. Kenneth Cole Reaction Money Clip – $20.99 w/ FRIEND ($38)
One of Kenneth Cole’s better designs. By far. Sure it’s got the shine, but that shine is knocked down by the (actually pretty functional) texture. From their lower quality “reaction” line, but, doesn’t feel like it at all. Branding is on the smaller clip on the underside, and not that noticeable.
#6. Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Money Clip – $57.00 ($95)
Pebbled, Patriotic, and very, very preppy. Like a 4th of July Clambake on Nantucket. Awesome to some, totally obnoxious to others. Made in Italy.
#7. Fossil Jacob Money Clip – $17.50 w/ GRNMON14
Nice of them to emboss their logo on the inside of the money clip. Has a bit of a Jack Spade thing going on here, with the classic exterior and bright pop of color on the inside. Twenty five bucks and sold via Amazon.
#8. General Manufacturing Derby City Money Clip – $43.98
Looks like something out of Boardwalk Empire. Another on-Huckberry, made-in-the-USA option. Has some elements of art-deco to it. Also available in a yellow, natural-brass shade.
#9. The Splurge: Tiffany Classic – $185 | “Bean” Money Clip – $150
Crazy splurges, yes, but still tough to beat classics in sterling silver like this. The “Bean” money clip is a perfect option for someone who’s style leans more modern. Gave the classic “1837” clip to a good pal a while back for a milestone birthday, and not too long after he bent the hell out of it in an ATV wreck. Pretty sure that makes it even better. There’s just something special about a snooty Tiffany money clip that’s been beat to shit. That, and it must be lucky, since it didn’t sever his femoral artery. Each can be engraved with initials.
#10. The Suggestion: Go Vintage
Etsy. Ebay. Thrift stores & sometimes consignment shops. All of these places are good sources for classic used money clips. The example shown here is sterling silver, and found on Etsy for… $30? Can’t recall exactly. What’s it mean? Who knows. It’s probably an “M” (for… money you’d assume) but the scrolling is great, and the tension of the clip is perfect for a reasonable stack of cash.
Follow along with the rest of 2014′s edition of the 12 Days of Dappered here.