Not everything needs to be modernized and updated — like wallets, for example. It's just a simple accessory meant to hold some cash and a few cards. This is an item that doesn't need to be improved by carbon fiber, nanotechnology, or internet capability. Just simple leather works great and can last a lifetime, or even multiple lifetimes, as one grandchild recently discovered.
A Reddit user recently posted an image of a classic leather wallet that looks like it could have been made yesterday — but it wasn't. It dates from at least the 1960s and once belonged to the Redditor's grandfather. And now the wallet's proud owner is the disbelieving Redditor.
"Heard we were talking about wallets?" the Redditor titled their post on the r/anticonsumption subreddit. "My grandpa's wallet from the 60s, now mine."
Are things still made like this? Simple accessories like a wallet, crafted with quality materials and care, that still perform like new more than 60 years after they were made should be the goal when designing a product.
Unfortunately, companies now often want to make a quick buck by poorly slapping together inferior materials and selling fast fashion products meant to be used a few times and then tossed into a landfill. According to Earth.org, Americans throw away 11.3 million tons of textiles each year.
Sure, a wallet made to last will cost more than a cheap disposable one, but the nice wallet won't likely need replacing often, if ever, saving money in the long run.
Owning fewer, better things is a mantra among some circles in the fashion and home goods communities, and much of that comes from the frustration of buying obviously poor products just because they're cheap. Buying a wallet you can hand down to your grandkids, for example, not only can build a connection between generations, but it also means you're buying fewer wallets and consuming fewer resources — good practices for everyone.
Redditors seemed to agree.
"Holy moly! That's a good quality wallet right there," wrote one commenter.
"Nice!! That should last forever," said another.
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Grandpa should be proud.
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