Cost per Wear

02What People Think

"It is expensive now, but I will wear it constantly."

03What’s Underneath

At its simplest, cost per wear divides a clothing purchase price by its number of wears. A $120 coat worn 60 times costs $2 per wear on that basis. A $30 top worn twice costs $15 per wear. The measure makes use visible instead of treating the cheaper receipt as automatic evidence of better value.

The answer depends on the inputs. Some calculations include cleaning, repairs or alterations; others use purchase price alone. State the basis and compare like with like. Most importantly, distinguish actual wears from projected wears. A forecast of 200 outings is a shopping assumption, not a benefit you have already received.

Fit, comfort, weather, care requirements and the clothes you already own affect how often an item enters rotation. Special-occasion clothing may still have value despite a high cost per wear. The number is one way to compare use, not a moral score for a wardrobe or a substitute for deciding what you can afford.

04The Game

How often have you worn a similar item, and what would make this one different? Use that history to challenge the forecast. A low projected cost per wear can support a sensible purchase, but it can also provide a sophisticated excuse for one you already wanted.