It was a New York City subway pickpocket circa 2000 to whom I owe my minimalist tendencies. Somewhere between Union Square and First Avenue on the L train, my overstuffed George Costanza bi-fold found its way out of my back pocket for ever more.
As a newbie to that fabled city, I felt violated and out of sorts. A friend basically told me I was a moron; that any NYC subway veteran knows that your wallet goes in your front pocket.
That, of course, required a completely different mindset towards my everyday carry. I didn't know what I would do without my college ID (I had graduated), two grocery store loyalty cards, Blockbuster card, airline frequent flier cards, receipts from years past that I would never reconcile ... and all the other worthlessness within. I realized that I was a card-carrying member of the Wallet Hoarders.
Once past that mental blockage of needing to have every bit of my identity contained within, I awakened to the glory that is wallet minimalism. Fast forward fifteen years, and I feel it my place to help spread the Front Pocket gospel. And in this modern era of the smartphone, it's not really a hard sell.
The front pocket carry is secure, slim and the envy of all your friends. Especially those named George.
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