How To Calculate Cost Per Wear… and WHY

Whether your using it to budget your next shopping trip or to justify big purchases (oops, is that just me?!), here is the formula for Cost Per Wear and how to apply it to your wardrobe. Cost per Wear is basically a break down of how much a garment costs based on how often it is worn. It is calculated by dividing the total price of an item by the number of times you wear it.

– In the example above I used a basic item and a trendy item over the course of 1 year. This is to demonstrate that investing more money in classic, essential pieces will give you more bang for your buck. A black blazer can be worn to work in a professional or business casual job, as well as on the weekends. For this reason, I estimated wearing it once a week although it is quite possible to wear twice a week. And because it is a layering piece, it can be worn year round. A trendier item however, for example this sundress, can only be worn in New England during the summer months and because of the style and corporate dress codes, can only be worn once per week at most. Based on this break down you can see seasonally why it is more cost effective to spend your money on a basic essential item.

– The formula also helps you to determine where to allocate funds. For example, if you have $100 to spend on new clothes, perhaps choose to spend $80 on a basic and $20 on a trendier piece. Example- you outgrew your formerly favorite jeans that you wear twice a week. You hit the mall for a new outfit. Splurge on a great new pair of jeans because you know you will get alot of use out of them and your in need of a new pair, then check off price stores or sale racks for a seasonal blouse to complete your look.

– It also reconfirms quality over quantity. Use a suit for example- say you got a new job where you will have client meetings once a week that require you to wear a suit. You find two that you like. One was by a reputable designer, well made and cost more money. The other was significantly cheaper but not as high quality. You may be tempted to get the cheaper option because you think “well, they’re both black and they both fit so why spend more?” Quality over quantity, that’s why. If the cheaper suit is not as well made and can’t withstand washing and repeated wears, it will not last you as many months as the more expensive, better quality option. It is a costly lesson to learn this is an area where you cannot cut corners and you end up having to buy the more expensive suit two months later anyway.

– And lastly, let’s be real- cost per wear can also be used to justify big purchases! Thinking of treating yourself and splurging on a new designer bag or leather jacket? Plan out how often you will wear each piece and commit to that, in time the investment will become just that and pay for itself!

Need help identifying basic pieces vs trendy, or splurge vs steal pieces? Use this video showing my Top Ten Wardrobe Essentials as a guide on what to invest in!