In my ongoing mission to streamline my life, my wardrobe and — most importantly — my finances, I’ve started investing more in clothing than I used to.
I realize that statement sounds a bit backwards, but hear me out.
Instead of collecting a closet full of cheap, disposable pieces (my usual approach ever since I abandoned the capsule wardrobe experiment a couple years back), I’m choosing to make fewer, more deliberate purchases — even if that sometimes means paying a bit more at the outset.
That’s the point: rather than repeatedly replacing flimsy garments that fray, rip, shrink, unravel and fade after only a few wears, I’ll spend more on items that are built to last, feel better and ultimatelyjustifytheir place in my closet by reaching a low cost per use.
So What Is Cost Per Wear?
Cost per wear is a simple concept: the more times you can use an item, the better the value it represents.
When it comes to clothing, that idea becomes the cost per wear.
Figuring out an item’s cost per wear takes some estimation and a little bit of math (gasp!).
To calculate cost per wear, first estimate how many times you’ve worn the piece (or, if you’re shopping, how many times you expect to wear it). Then, divide the purchase price by that number of wearsandthe result is your cost per wear.
See? The arithmetic isn’t that scary.
For example, consider my favorite pair of black jeans. I picked them up at Gap for $18 a few years ago (I caught a killer sale — they’re usually $80!).
I conservatively estimated I’ve worn those jeans about twice a week for seven years — roughly 728 wears. Dividing the $18 cost by 728 gives about $0.02 per wear, or 2 cents per use. (And they’re still holding up!)
That might be the best clothing purchase I’ve made if we’re judging purely by numbers, though I did get lucky with an exceptional sale on a quality item. Even at full price, the cost per wear would have been around 11 cents — still pretty reasonable.
Things to Factor Into Cost Per Wear
There are a couple of key things to keep in mind when you’re working out cost per wear.
First, evaluate quality. Will the piece withstand repeated washing and wearing? Will it retain its shape and color? Is the fabric durable?
Imagine you’re comparing two black sweaters of a similar cut: one high-quality option costs $50 and a cheaper alternative costs $15.
If the pricier sweater lasts for 200 wears but the inexpensive one only survives 20 wears before it falls apart or shrinks, the cost per wear of the more expensive sweater will be lower, making it the smarter buy overall.
The other factor, which seems obvious but I often ignore when I’m tempted by a great markdown, is whether you actually like the item.
Don’t Fall for the Low Cost-Per-Wear Trap
What you don’t want to do is use cost per wear as an excuse to buy up every bargain just because the numbers might later look favorable — even if you’ll only wear those pieces a handful of times.
That top you grabbed for $7.50 on the clearance rack may seem like a steal, but if it sits unworn in your closet for months because you were more enticed by the price than the garment itself, that discount meant nothing.
You don’t want to force yourself to wear something you dislike just to lower the cost per wear, and you don’t want to be stuck staring at a garment you loathe because a formula fooled you into buying what you wouldn’t have at full price.
At the end of the day, if you don’t like how a piece looks on you, it won’t get used. So if a well-made shirt that makes you feel amazing costs a bit more than a 75% off knockoff that hangs unworn in the back of your closet, it could pay off in the long run to splurge on the nicer one.
That said, like my jeans, sometimes you’ll get lucky and find a high-quality piece at a bargain — and that’s the sweetest outcome.
Cost Per Wear Is a Guideline, Not a Law
Remember, a low cost per wear isn’t the only thing that matters — it’s a useful tool to consult when weighing a purchase (or perusing the sale racks).
There will still be moments when I buy a dress knowing I’ll only wear it a few times for a specific event — and that’s perfectly fine. The point of cost per wear is to encourage you to pause and ensure a purchase is the right choice for you, not merely the result of an eye-catching discount.
There’s no strict number your clothes’ cost per wear must reach. It’s up to you to decide what target feels right. The cost per wear formula is simply a way to assess and reshape your shopping habits as you balance quality against quantity.
For someone who used to indulge in trendy, disposable fashion but is trying to find equilibrium, the cost-per-wear approach is a very helpful guideline to adopt. For more ways to shop smarter and value long-term use, check out this cost per use smart spending trick.
Hannah Cooper is a junior writer at Savinly.
