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23 Best passport holders for 2023: Smythson to Tom Ford | British GQ

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23 Best passport holders for 2023: Smythson to Tom Ford | British GQ

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By Adam Cheung , Jessie Atkinson , Heidi Quill , Faye Fearon and Esat Dedezade

Wherever you're headed, GQ's edit of the best passport holders will make for the ultimate airport flex

Looking for the best passport holder to protect your precious travel documents? Good call. Whether it’s the sun-soaked beaches of the Algarve or Iceland's Blue Lagoon, a holiday is never without its hiccups. But if you are going to be waiting around for a delayed flight or “misplaced” luggage, you ought to be doing it in uncompromised style. What comes before the suave carry-on case, travel cushion and long-haul ’fit? A designer passport holder to check in in style.

You don’t need us to hammer home the importance of a trusty wallet on a trip. A passport holder is all the better, offering storage for that most important travel document as well as credit cards, cash and tickets. Most commonly coming in simple bifold form, just like conventional wallets, they have been the subject of designer takes by everyone from Gucci to Louis Vuitton, each imbuing theirs with signature house motifs for major flex appeal.

Whether your still repping old-school burgundy or have updated to post-Brexit blue, our pick of the best passport holders look a damn sight nicer and will protect yours from damage (and in some cases, even identity theft) as you collect your stamps around the globe. So, without further delay, here we present our very favourites…

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As with most leather workers, you’ll find plenty of options at Aspinal of London, which uses embossed monogram, full-grain, suede and — in the case of this pick — patent croc effect leather to achieve its ends. Add personalisation for an outstanding dad gift or present for mum. £75 £60. aspinaloflondon.com

An uber-functional choice for those more organised travellers, Bellroy's travel folio has room for two passports for dual-citizens or parents alongside ample travel cards, currency and boarding passes thanks to dedicated slots. There's even a sim card slot complete with an ejector pin for those who take advantage of the oftentimes cheaper local tariffs while abroad. £149. bellroy.com

If you’re searching for a wallet that’s slim, stylish, and seriously secure, this could be what you’ve been looking for. Handmade by expert craftsmen in Spain, this one from Harber London holds your passport, up to nine cards, and it’s also RFID protected as well, meaning it’ll prevent your card details from being stolen by dodgy characters. £79. harberlondon.com

Crafted in Italy from a quality calfskin leather, Tom Ford’s latest take on the passport holder will put you in good style stead for any upcoming travels. Featuring the brand’s initials in gold hardware at the corner of its cover, it’s fitted with a passport compartment and six card slots inside – allowing you to keep all of your essential documents in one place. A big yes. £470 £282. At matchesfashion.com

Crafted in Italy from Ludlow-grained calfskin leather, Smythson's staple passport holder is a failsafe addition to the avid traveller's collection. Stitched with two slanted slip pockets at the interior – one for your passport and the other for your boarding pass (as detailed through embossed lettering) – the exterior is stamped with the brand's sophisticated logo. An easy win. £160. At matchesfashion.com

Eau de Nil is the name of that particular turquoise Fortnum & Mason uses in all of its branding. It’s also the shade of this leather passport cover, which uses pebbled leather and subtle gold foil to make a luxury finishing product you’ll be proud to whip out at customs. £75. fortnumandmason.com

This 100 per cent leather passport holder exudes luxury, with an eye-catching woven front panel motif that’s impossible to miss. Beyond cradling and protecting your passport in style, it has three interior slip pockets and four interior card slots for safeguarding other important items like cards, boarding passes, and anything else you see fit. £295. matchesfashion.com

If you're less concerned by which designer logo you present at the departure gate and simply want to preserve your pristine stamp collector, The Passport Slip by Go Travel is an affordable solution that also makes room for two cards. More impressive are its security features, however – blocking illegal scans of the chips embedded in your passport and cards to help prevent data and identity theft. £13. At johnlewis.com

Racing fans will find it all but impossible to resist the black leather, carbon fibre, and papaya allure of this TUMI x McLaren collaboration. With its instantly recognisable light-catching carbon fibre cover (which offers the ultimate in durability as well as aesthetic prowess) and bright orange detail synonymous with the legendary racing brand, it’ll make the ideal gift for the F1 fan in your life. £140. johnlewis.com

Perhaps the most recognisable monogram of all the high fashion houses, Louis Vuitton has, of course, cast its floral x LV step and repeat on a passport cover. For those in possession of the corresponding bags, this is an absolute must, while those with plainer luggage will enjoy the ease at which you’ll locate your passport at the gate. £260. uk.louisvuitton.com

For comfortably less than a tenner, Januts’ passport holder is undeniably one of the best bang-for-buck picks currently available. Beyond the standard passport slot, you’ll find space for cash, cards, tickets, and even a pair of SIM card slots for true globetrotters who like to mix and match data plans while they’re out and about. £7. amazon.co.uk

Whether you’re the very forgetful type or simply want a touch of personalisation, you can’t go wrong with a passport holder that’s branded with your very own initials. Crafter from PU leather, this resilient, minimalist cover features an attractive grain and matched stitching, at a price that’s more than a little reasonable.£15. katieloxton.com

To those looking for a truly luxury passport holder to last for the long run, no brand promises it better than Hermès. Famed for its unparalleled quality of leather goods, this calfskin passport holder is embossed with the house's iconic H-Tag motif: masterfully twisted around the body to accentuate the contours of its two-tone silhouette. Rest assured that elegance will be endured upon investment. £650. At hermes.com

Searching for a striking passport holder to see you through your travels? Asos has got you covered. Assembled from a silver leather texture, this latest design from the high street brand is nicely contrasted with a black lining and is fitted with multiple compartments for maximum inner storage. Stark, stylish and budget-friendly, what's not to love? £15 £11. At asos.com

Forever the master of quiet luxury, Brunello Cucinelli's latest passport holder promises to bring a bunch of credits to your style score. Crafted in Italy from a full-grain, tan-coloured leather, it's resistant to wear and tear and is detailed with a diverse range of slots to store your goods inside. Excellence defined. £430. At mrporter.com

If you’re in search of a passport holder which aligns with the style codes of summer, look no further than bespoke luggage brand Aviteur. Founded by Patricia Gucci – granddaughter of the iconic Italian house’s founder – the designs are techy and artisanal at once, proven by this woven-panel leather passport holder. Elegant and functional, it’s currently on offer at Matches, so add it to your basket before it’s too late. £295 £118. At matchesfashion.com

Searching for a simple passport holder which won’t break the bank? Asos is your best source, specifically, for this croc-effect style. Designed from a study faux leather, it’s stamped with a passport logo on the front and detailed with a single compartment to store your travel essential inside. Guaranteed to complement any wardrobe direction, it’s a failsafe option for all. £10 £6. At asos.com

Not plain black or brown… but also not too out of your colour-wheel comfort zone, this Mulberry passport holder is defined by its rich, inky green hue and grained leather construction. Different, but not too different. £160. mulberry.com

Thom Browne's passport holder, much like its collections as a whole, straddles the intersection between practicality and suavity. Cut from rich but durable calf leather, this pick is visually set apart by its iconic motifs, the 4-Bar stripe and RWB ribbon, whilst its internal card slots bring that signature functionality into the fold. £430. At farfetch.com

One of the least fussy options in our round up, Mont Blanc has taken the brief and fulfilled it impeccably. Though cast from luxury leather, this accessory shirks frills in favour of absolute function, packing two neat pockets inside its perfectly sized gatefold. It's our pick for the ruthlessly punctual. £230. montblanc.com

More of an understated kind of style maven? You might already be a fan of the dark designs of Saint Laurent Paris. If you’re £3,000 short of being able to afford one of the brand’s iconic leather jackets, there’s still a way into the fold and it’s through this handsome grain de poudre passport cover. The indie sleaze agenda truly does span all accessories. £350. ysl.com

Looking for a simple, no-nonsense passport holder but don’t want to compromise on quality? Then end your search with this stealthy number from Prada. Made from Saffiano leather and textured with the Italian house’s signature crosshatch pattern, it’s finished off with the legendary triangle logo which was first used all the way back in the early 1910s. £480. prada.com

Not all that sweet on that fraught shade of blue on your new passport? The selection of shades to choose from on Smythson's Panama passport cover can make it feel as though Brexit never happened, at least for the duration of your holiday. Constructed from smart and durable crossgrain leather, gold-stamped pockets signpost space for your passport and boarding pass for ultimate airport efficiency. The option to personalise makes it an especially good choice for gifting. £150. smythson.com

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