I’ve been on the lookout for a wallet for some time and up until yesterday was coming up empty handed.

I’ve come to the conclusion that most wallets available today are either too expensive (hello Oroton) or too tacky (umm, I won’t name names… but take a guess).

I really do prefer leather wallets as they look better and last longer but there is a dearth of reasonably priced, simple and elegant wallets on the market.

However yesterday I discovered the wallet pictured here from Maiden Voyage and fell in love. It’s exactly what I’m looking for - long envelope-style and simple. The one catch is that it’s made out of eelskin.

I have to admit that the very word “eelskin” sends a shudder down my spine. Not because I am against wearing animal skins (with my collection of leather shoes, that horse has long since bolted). But because eels are one of those animals that have always disgusted me. They’re just so slimy and weird. I think I had a couple of nightmares about eels as a kid. It doesn’t help that the Maiden Voyage site tells me that the eel is “a mysterious fish that has no visible organs except a mouth and several symmetrical arranged secretion holes on both sides”.

Anyway if I can get over the thought of handling eelskin everyday I am definitely buying this wallet, which is available at Designers Online for a very reasonable $55. According to Maiden Voyage, eelskin is softer than other animal hides and leather and becomes softer and shinier with use, rather than looking worn.

The site also says that the skin is 150% stronger than leather, given that eels have to withstand massive amounts of pressure at the bottom of the sea.

That being said. I’m still on the fence about this eelskin wallet.

By Caroline Warnes