https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:18:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1259116 Fri, 23 May 2014 12:57:24 +0000 Alassë 1259116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My minimum CPW is $1 - over that and I feel slightly guilty getting rid of it. I prefer 67c or lower for multi-year workhorse items. (These totals are possible because of second-hand/sale/low price stores.)&nbsp;</p> <p>CPW does inform my purchasing decisions: if a piece I'm considering would take 5-7 years (my max time in wardrobe) to achieve $1 CPW, I should probably pass. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258865 Fri, 23 May 2014 03:03:32 +0000 Gigi 1258865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lots of interesting thoughts here. I am trying to track CPW this year, but right now all I have is a handwritten outfit log. Not looking forward to putting that into Excel!</p> <p>My plan was to aim for $1 CPW on an item. I like shedev's gradations of $3 as "worth it," $2 as a good buy, and $1 as a great buy. It may take me a while to get there, though, since almost all of my wardrobe is new, purchased within the last year. But when I buy things, I buy to hang on to them for at least a few years. I am not too trendy but like wearing things that are either classic or are outside of trends.</p> <p>I also agree with those who say that if an item has a high-enough happiness factor, the CPW doesn't matter.</p> <p>I think I am keeping track of CPW mostly because I want to see what types of items are good purchases for me, since as I said, most of my wardrobe is quite new and I am still figuring out my personal style.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258835 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:37:49 +0000 rabbit 1258835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think <b>Shevia</b>'s question is a really good one and one I'm trying to figure out. &nbsp;Because obviously a 200$ jacket might look and feel better than a 20$ one, or especially buying thrift and off-price retail, it might actually be the same jacket! &nbsp; </p> <p>Also how do you&nbsp;quantify the time spent shopping and&nbsp;caring for a large wardrobe&nbsp;rather than a smaller one if you have one? &nbsp; I think figuring out the optimal wardrobe size that feels right and the optimal number of wears you want to aim for with&nbsp;any one thing&nbsp;is a&nbsp;part of it too -- <b>Mo&nbsp;</b>does a lot of that kind of math.</p> <p>ETA: &nbsp;There is a number at the bottom of my spreadsheet which is the total of all the current CPW of my wardrobe. &nbsp;I'm thinking this number might be the one I want to look at, because it encompasses both the number of clothes and the CPW - it's kind of the current not yet used/worn&nbsp;'value' of the whole&nbsp;wardrobe (assuming I decided to don all 150 items one day)&nbsp;and can be compared to the initial investment.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258813 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:15:19 +0000 Elizabeth P 1258813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to ask this same question! Since I started using stylebook, and inputting the costs if new things, a kinda automatically get cpw. But I wasn't sure what were " good" or reasonable numbers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258808 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:13:07 +0000 MsMary 1258808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm tracking CPW for the first time this year and it's been so interesting!&nbsp; So far, with the year less than half over and only having tracked since January, I have several items that are at $5 CPW or less.&nbsp; I'm thinking that's probably a good average to shoot for, but I'll know a lot more by the end of the year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258785 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:02:16 +0000 dustt 1258785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmm - that's a tough one here where we have 4 seasons - some things that are mandatory here in the north - like heavy winter coats and boots that require everyday wear are both expensive and require duplicates to keep me from losing my mind&nbsp; to boredom!! - My white puffer saw more wear this year than I care to remember. It was expensive and what I wouldn't have given for an additional alternative this past winter. That said I have ALOT of coats but it's different coats for different needs. The good news is that they last for many years, the CPW ends up pennies. My Burberry is 32 years old!! Same with the boots. But the clothes that go under all those coats, I tend to not calculate CPW.</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258755 Fri, 23 May 2014 01:36:20 +0000 Cindy S 1258755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread, as I've only recently been exposed to this concept and want to incorporate it to fit my situation...Carter, I had the opposite experience these past few years after many in TX, you are so right about the wear and tear from heat! But the opposite occurred when I suddenly had to gear up for serious winter wear, I hadn't even owned an actual COAT when I moved to NM. Now I'm changing careers AND possibly moving back to the flatlands and want to make good CPW decisions as I go. As a still-newbie YLFabber, I placed my first major online order today w Nordie's, trying to fill some gaps and anticipate the new work wardrobe. Rabbit, I LOVE "the delectation factor", lol. Thanks Susie for starting such an interesting topic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258742 Fri, 23 May 2014 01:25:34 +0000 Jaime 1258742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the CPW needs another factor. A plurality of items in my closet cost $3 or less. So if I wear them once are they worth having? If you buy a jacket&nbsp;for $20 and wear it 2 times is that just as good as $200 jacket you wear 20 times?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258737 Fri, 23 May 2014 01:17:45 +0000 rabbit 1258737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The joy per wear thing is very important. For me if I have instantaneous total love that can definitely trump a reasonable&nbsp;CPW, but that's maybe once or twice a&nbsp;year where I have to rush back to the store because I'm so afraid it will sell out. &nbsp;Also in that case it kind of crosses over into art/craft for me, "an object of delectation"&nbsp;&nbsp;- where just seeing it in my closet or wearing it a few times makes me quite happy.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also what <b>pil</b> said. &nbsp;Some inexpensive things I bought early on because they seemed practical. filled a hole&nbsp;or like they would be&nbsp;outfit completers&nbsp;have no joy per wear for me, so on the one hand, I'm glad I didn't spend a lot, and on the other hand, I would have rather not bought them at all.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258711 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:40:54 +0000 pil 1258711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really should actually track this. I kept a log of what I wore for most of the fall and winter but haven't done anything with it. I do know my expensive (for me) NYDJ jeans were worn a LOT. A pair of black ponte pants I bought for dressier than casual have only been worn about three times. Thry have no, as Caro says, joy per wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258696 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:24:51 +0000 rachylou 1258696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't track CPW. But I can tell you pants are my lowest cost per wear, and I've some shoes whose CPW is like over $100. Ack! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258692 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:18:42 +0000 Mo 1258692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to agree that happiness factor aka joy per wear is important. &nbsp;I would have never, ever bought my leather pants otherwise. &nbsp;No way will they become a&nbsp;$5 CPW item, especially if I keep moving to FL. &nbsp;But I am at 99 out of 100 on the happy scale in them. &nbsp;<br />I think this is a factor that 'trumps' CPW for me. &nbsp;In other words, I have a certain price ceiling in my mind for most items in a certain category ($50 tops, $100 for jeans, etc) unless and until my undying love for something tramples all over that reasoning. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258688 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:17:01 +0000 Peri 1258688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, I never think this way. I have an overall budget, but generally find shopping so hard that I will buy whatever I like unless it is outlandish. I tend to most want the kind of clothes I most wear...like I don't want a lot a dresses or evening clothes. I'm very conscious of not buying things I won't get much use out of, and if I think something will be a workhorse I'm fine spending whatever I need on it. So I'm probably okay CPW wise, I just don't bother to do the real math. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258686 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:12:43 +0000 Mellllls 1258686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i like the idea of joy per wear (all within a budget though) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258684 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:07:19 +0000 Mo 1258684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, summer is gross when you have no car! &nbsp;;) &nbsp;Trade you my bike or by foot transport any day!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258653 Thu, 22 May 2014 23:48:38 +0000 carter 1258653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susie, I feel your pain! Summer is just gross when you have to be in and out of the car. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258639 Thu, 22 May 2014 23:39:46 +0000 Caro in Oz 1258639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>CPW, joy per wear &amp; the length of time I will keep the item are all factors for me. If CPW is high then the other two factors can &amp; do balance it out. </p> <p>Two things I hesitated buying this past summer were a pair of black flats &amp; a raspberry coloured messenger bag, both were on sale.&nbsp;The CPW on each of these is now under $1.50 - which really surprised me. Like you I would have been happy with a higher CPW.</p> <p>I mentioned on another post that, since I started&nbsp;tracking CPW,&nbsp;I do try to keep the capsules I wear less often really small. It also made me want to only wear the best &amp; get rid of the rest :)</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258571 Thu, 22 May 2014 22:22:40 +0000 Susie 1258571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carter, here's my car temp :)<br /> Real is not much lower at 88 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258565 Thu, 22 May 2014 22:17:23 +0000 Susie 1258565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry for the post and run. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.<br /> Shedev, that's a good point about the big differences in prices even among similar items. It might be interesting to take those 2 items and determine an average CPW or an average for your jackets all together. </p> <p>I just recently decided to add CPW to my spreadsheets. I'm not exactly sure what I will do with that data! It will probably remain as a general guideline. To me, $5-$10 sounds good. It's interesting that some are able to get well below that. </p> <p>I did realize some time ago that it makes sense to spend less on the things that get worn very infrequently (formal wear) or that get worn hard and don't last a season (summer tee's). I'm sure that sounds like a no brainer but I don't think I necessarily followed that plan. And sometimes it's hard to know in advance what will become a workhorse. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258441 Thu, 22 May 2014 19:53:40 +0000 carter 1258441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the follow-up rabbit and Mo. I guess I do some altered version of this without really thinking about it. Even though we're predominantly hot here 8-9 months a year, I'm unwilling to spend much on "Summer" work clothes, particularly tops, because they take such a beating from the heat, humidity, sweating and the seatbelt that they only last about a season. On the other hand, we only have sweater weather 3-4 months a year, so sweaters tend to last 5 years or more (unless they pil because of the seatbelt). I'm willing to spend money there because I see them as more permanent fixtures in my closet. The number of wears, though, is probably comparable, so I'm going to have to give&nbsp;that some more thought.</p> <p>Below is the picture I took of my dashboard after my first stop this morning. My phone said it was only 82 degrees outside, but after sitting for about 20 minutes, my car registered 99. Many days I'm in and out of the car 10 or 12 times for showings. This is why I think of my Summer blouses as disposable.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258411 Thu, 22 May 2014 19:00:07 +0000 Mo 1258411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;&nbsp; I find it a factor, along with happiness factor, but not an end all be all. &nbsp;I do recall returning the Gap blue python pants I ordered&nbsp;at around $40 but happily paying $17 later for the exact pair. &nbsp;So I'm subconsciously figuring the CPW of a maybe one season outlier item that doesn't remix with a lot in my closet because of the color/print. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258400 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:34:58 +0000 rabbit 1258400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the one thing I've been good at tracking (well sort of, I gave myself amnesty for a small closet of&nbsp;things bought prior to this year as they were already sunk costs - although they have to pass the wear or purge test and I do track wears).</p> <p>My goal is $2 on everything bought new this year&nbsp;by the end of 12 months, &nbsp;with $1 what I want to eventually get to. &nbsp; So far the less I have of something (bags, shoes, jackets) the easier it is to get down CPW. &nbsp; I have one leather jacket which might take awhile longer though as I avoid wearing it on rainy days. &nbsp; &nbsp; I know I like variety (so far this year I've worn about 170 different items of clothing - counting tights, shoes&nbsp;and accessories), but that too much is too unmanageble, and because right now&nbsp;I have so many tops it's hard to get&nbsp;down to $2 per wear for even very inexpensive ones.</p> <p>The flip side is that once I'm below 1$ I feel like I got good use out of something if I then decide to purge it. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><b>Carter </b>- for me, it's part of the purchasing decision. &nbsp;I returned something I liked a lot because I didn't think I'd get the CPW out of it. &nbsp;I saw myself wearing it maybe 10 times a year at most. &nbsp; &nbsp;On the other hand, it made me realize that I could spend more for what was essentially my second 'real' bag, because I'd be carrying it about 40% of the time I left the house. &nbsp; It's also made me reluctant to buy any tights or hose over 10$ with 5$ or under as my goal, because they just don't last that long before looking ratty or laddering.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258392 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:23:38 +0000 carter 1258392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really interested to read everyone's replies. I've never tracked CPW, or really even thought about it. Do you use it mainly to get "enough" wear out of an item once you own it, or is it a pre-purchase criterion, ie., if a tee is $20, do you determine before you buy whether or not you'll wear it 10 or 20 times to get to your CPW target? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258388 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:16:25 +0000 Thistle 1258388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so not good at tracking. I just know I will spend more for winter outerwear as I wear it A LOT. Same with winter boots. Okay, so most winter clothing as it is by far my dominant season!</p> <p>Summer pieces . . . I have&nbsp;a hard time spending much here as they are lucky to see 3 months of wear.<br /> Wish I didn't love silk and linen to much!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258385 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:13:03 +0000 cheryl 1258385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I aim for $1 but it's not hard and fast. Some things get way below and some things stay well above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258292 Thu, 22 May 2014 16:30:23 +0000 shedev 1258292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really have CPW by category. Even within the same category, price can very greatly. 425 Bebe leather vs 30 Spiegal. My old goal was $1, but that priced me out of too much of the stuff I'd want to buy. So I have a CPW scale,</p> <p>$3- worth whatever I paid, $2- good deal, $1- jackpot. I'm not above price stalking to get it into this range.</p> <p>I hit the $1 mark on the Kut jeans I'm wearing today. I got them on sale for $30 though. </p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258282 Thu, 22 May 2014 16:13:57 +0000 Mo 1258282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can tell you the ceiling I aim to get under - $20 CPW. &nbsp;Over that seems like too much for me, even talking leather outerwear and boots. &nbsp;And I have a dozen things at this level. &nbsp;So I basically need to wear them before buying more in that category. &nbsp;<br />Beyond that, I'm not keeping close tabs but assume I'll average around $1 for knit tops and tees (or less) and $1 to $3 for woven shirts, shorts and skirts. Maybe $3 to&nbsp;$5 for casual dresses, $5 for&nbsp;jackets and jeans, and $10 for outerwear coats/leather and boots? </p> <p>Heh, I forgot shoes! &nbsp;No idea there to be honest. &nbsp;Some get under $1 very fast, others (mostly dressier heels)&nbsp;are barely under $20 still, even after a year. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cpw--whats-your-number#post-1258265 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:57:13 +0000 Susie 1258265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would assume that if you have a goal for your CPW, that it varies by category. For instance, evening attire is likely to have a much higher CPW than a pair of jeans.&nbsp;</p> <p>But do you have a rough number that you try to meet? </p>