https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 14 May 2026 07:04:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469989 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:01:58 +0000 Mo 469989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol Sylvie! I understand. It was neat to see, though. Thanks.<br /> For now, I have decided to try and just get to $20 CPW (roughly) on the handful of items that I find I'm not really wearing. Of the 13 items I've identified, 5 are dresses and 5 are heeled booties/boots. So I can see straight away that these categories are where I don't need to be shopping. I mean, if I'm not utilizing what I already have, no need to add more to the pile! Already gleaning some insight - yay. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469978 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:40:49 +0000 Sylvie 469978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL Suz. The spreadsheet isn't really representative. I didn't want the whole internet to know what I spent on clothing so the numbers are a little fudged. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469802 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:21:54 +0000 Suz 469802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow...this is fascinating. Not least because just glancing at Sylvie's sample sheet I can see that prices are SO much lower in the US than in Canada...our cost per wear is going to be higher no matter what, unless we are genius shoppers like lyn, of course! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469707 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:40:10 +0000 CocoLion 469707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I consider CPW mostly when I don't wear something much at all, or when I wear it a lot. When I don't wear something enough I might try to wear something one more time, if I don't find new life in it, it goes out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469697 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:23:58 +0000 bella 469697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Piggybacking on Mo's idea, would you care to share what you think is a fair CPW per item? I think Mo mentioned that she has different CPW expectations for different types of items, whereas Kate is trying to get as close to $1 CPW as possible for each item.<br /> What is your ideal CPW? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469678 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:49:03 +0000 Sylvie 469678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My spreadsheet is not as sophisticated as Kate's. I have a google document with the following row headers:</p> <p>Type<br /> Color<br /> Material<br /> Style<br /> State<br /> Cost<br /> Times Worn<br /> CPW<br /> Month Bought</p> <p>Then every week or so I log in and increment the "times worn" column for whatever I can remember wearing. I'm not too exact about it.</p> <p>Here's a link to an edited version with a few entries:</p> <p><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqNU0xT9dwZmdEJuay1uWU85ZkR2OEQ2dzIxSlF6VFE" rel="nofollow">https://docs.google.com/spread.....zIxSlF6VFE</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469656 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:54:00 +0000 Anonymous 469656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If it's something I feel fabulous wearing, I don't mind wearing it as often as possible. What sometimes causes trouble is liking something so well (like pencil skirts) that I buy more than I need and the CPW stays high because more are in rotation. Small closet = low CPW in the end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469650 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:44:29 +0000 Mo 469650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lyn, I couldn't imagine getting dresses to $1 CPW!! And you wear dresses a whole lot more than I do. I'd be happy with $5 for most of my dresses - around 6 wears on average. Perfectly reasonable number of times to expect to wear a dress. (Excluding special occassion dresses of course!)</p> <p>When I was fiddling with my figures, some categories felt right at $10 (premium denim, outerwear/overcoats, boots). Of course, I would eventually like them to be less, but if right now they are instead at $50 and $70, there is where I need to stop and look hard before just going out to buy more willy-nilly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469614 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:05:30 +0000 Makrame 469614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the idea of a spreadsheet (since I already had Excel open, anyway, I started mine today). I dropped off two Halogen skirts and a jacket at dry cleaners today and looked at the bill with dismay. But once I figured out cleaning cost per wear, it came up to about $1. Combined with $1 purchase cost per wear, this is not bad!</p> <p>Also like the idea of using CPW to stop unnecessary shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469610 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:58:25 +0000 rae 469610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha, Lyn! I think this is why CPW doesn't appeal to me, too. I don't really want to wear the same piece two weeks in a row. I don't even think I need to wear the same piece every other week, since I get bored so easily. Still, thinking back to the little-worn items I *have* can either stop me from buying another one, or light a fire under me to sell the one that isn't working so I can buy the new one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469604 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:51:10 +0000 Suz 469604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Listening in and will be following the spreadsheet setup advice with interest. I am not sure I can handle it, but OTOH it could prove interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469601 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:49:19 +0000 lyn* 469601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>CPW doesn't really work for me unless it's boots or outwear, cardigans or toppers. </p> <p>If I have a dress at $50; then I have to wear it once a week a year to get it under $1 CPW which is my current goal for everything in my closet.</p> <p>I guess if I wore it every second week, I could wear it for two years.</p> <p>At this rate some of my orphans need to be worn for a year. Continuously. :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469588 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:33:27 +0000 Kate 469588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>crwilson and Una, if you message me your email I can send you my spreadsheet, but it's gotten quite complicated, so I'm not sure if it's that helpful anymore. </p> <p>ETA: I've started a thread on how to make a spreadsheet here: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/creating-a-spreadsheet-to-keep-track-of-what-you-wear" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-you-wear</a> The most technical part is getting it setup. Once it's operating, the hard part is just remembering to type in what you wore each day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469519 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:50:20 +0000 Elly 469519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>CPW is important to me. Still, I tend to find I rarely let awesome items sit in my closet. Occasionally I have an orphan situation. Other than that, if it isn't getting worn, it probably has a problem. I'll analyze it, but I don't try to force it. In my small closet if I don't wear it, it probably isn't worth having. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469436 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:15:18 +0000 catgirl 469436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kate and Sylvie, how do these spreadsheets work, for the completely time-deprived and technophobic among us (naming no names!)? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469433 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:12:47 +0000 crwilson 469433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like this idea because despite all the time that I've spent on YLF, I still buy items that go unworn or largely unworn. I seem to be a terrible judge. Maybe this CPW thing would be more effective. Kate - have you shared your spreadsheet before? How do you set it up? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469411 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:26:13 +0000 rae 469411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe you can try a Shop Your Closet's Least-Worn Items run? Where you identify the things that aren't pulling their weight, and then you have to wear one of those items every day for a designated period of time? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469398 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:06:24 +0000 Mo 469398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Kate, it's the year old and not pulling their weight items I am thinking of! Sometimes climate or even injury (boo!) can affect your plans to wear things. But by and large I want to look to getting the mileage out of what I already have before running out to buy new. I'm not organized enough for a spreadsheet. Besides, I can't figure out how to input my stupid Microsoft registration code off the bottom of my computer lol! But I have a pretty good recall on things worn less than 3 or 5 times ;)<br /> Whenever I have tried SYC before I just start itching for what's off limits. I'm thinking that looking at things this way will get me excited to play in my closet. When trying SYC before I've felt the need to remix, which I find a chore that leaves me both cold and unexcited. Hey, whatever works! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469389 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:56:15 +0000 Kate 469389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Sylvie, I keep a spreadsheet that calculates CPW for me. There are always a couple items that mess up the CPW average - if I average all of my clothes CPW calculations the average is $4.92. But if I take the total cost of all of my clothes and divide it by the number of times I've worn all of my clothes, the CPW is only $2.58! Clearly some items are pulling their weight more than others... </p> <p>I don't get too worried about items bought in the past year that have a high CPW, but it's the things from 2010 that have a high CPW that I have to really think hard about if I want to buy something similar in the future (3 of 5 blazers I bought last year have a CPW above $5, and one is still at a whopping $23.33!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469284 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:26:42 +0000 mamaKate 469284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love learning new Jedi mind tricks! Thank you Mo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469280 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:14:23 +0000 Sylvie 469280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a spreadsheet which contains (almost) every piece of clothing I own, and calculates CPW for me. Anytime I buy a new piece of clothing, it goes in there immediately. I update it about once/week, so it's not completely accurate but it's pretty close. I throw any dry cleaning/repair costs as well - just add them to the price of the garment.</p> <p>For me, it's helped curb the "shopping for items I won't wear very often" impulse.</p> <p>4" Lilac studded boots: Still at $19 CPW. Awesome shoes but challenging to find occasions to wear them.</p> <p>Tall green flat boots: Once it got cold, I started wearing them everyday because I love them so much. They're down to $10 CPW and will be down to $5 by the end of this year. By the end of this winter they'll be even lower and they'll be good for multiple years to come.</p> <p>The green boots were 3x the price of the lilac boots. I think it's obvious which has been the better investment. Come to think of it, I would like a pair of flat black boots... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469277 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:10:49 +0000 rae 469277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great breakdown of what I usually think of in a very vague, would-I-choose-the-new-thing-over-that-old-thing way. I don't care about cost per wear so much, but taking the step to remember that, "Hey, I actually want to wear X some more!" is awesome. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469266 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:49:04 +0000 Suz 469266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is GREAT thinking, Malina! And it will help you revise your wardrobe towards those items that you really need and use frequently. </p> <p>I have a related question that I will post in a new thread, and that is, how do you (or do you) predict your closet "winners." By winners, I mean those items that you reliably reach for again and again and again in a season, so their cost per wear becomes minimal. They might be basics, or they might not. </p> <p>Okay - off to the new thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469259 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:38:18 +0000 Mo 469259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks! It really is just perspective, huh? Just like with eating - it shouldn't be "I can't have french fries" it should be "I need to add fresh fruits and veggies". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469254 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:34:14 +0000 Shu 469254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love it! Thanks for the perspective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469253 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:32:34 +0000 catgirl 469253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this too, though not so methodically. For instance, with winter items (coats and boots) I figure X days of winter and then how many times I'd have to wear the item to make it worth the daily cost (like $150 boots would have to be worn15 - 20 times in a season or whatever).</p> <p>Smart thinking! Keep us posted! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469251 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:31:24 +0000 Mo 469251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, they do need 4 more wears to get in my CPW goal zone LOL! But it's still in the mid 80's </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469248 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:30:18 +0000 modgrl 469248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why not?! Give your fab clothes a workout!! I want to see more WIW's with those red jeans </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-different-approach-to-syc-cost-per-wear#post-469246 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:24:11 +0000 Mo 469246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was jotting down my ideals of CPW for certain items when it occured to me that using this approach, for me, would yield much better results than putting myself on a shopping ban. I have mental purchase price limits for categories of clothing items, and was trying to break them down into the CPW I expect from said categories. I don't have a spreadsheet, but can pretty much recall how many times a dress or jacket has been worn recently.<br /> For instance, I expect roughly $1 for knit shirts/tees/layering tops and I usually reach these amounts. But when I got to my dresses, I realized I wasn't anywhere near the numbers I wanted (about $5 CPW). It is not for lack of effective shopping or finding a deal (most of my dresses are $35 or less) - the problem is in frequency of wear. So instead of thinking, "I can't shop I can't shop I can't shop", I should be thinking, "I have at least 5 more wears until this dress reaches my CPW goal" - time to put it on! Buying another new dress (or pair of boots, or whatever) before I get more wear out of this one is counter productive.<br /> Probably self evident, but it was a lightbulb moment for me I have a good dozen items that need some more time out of the closet before I add more </p>