https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 03:18:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-906718 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:57:55 +0000 anne 906718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ CPW is (and always has been, way before YLF) important for me, although I never calculate it as such. I have to admit that I am enjoying wearing clothes (and getting compliments on them) from last century, and from when I worked in the city (9 years ago) now I am working again and thinking how their CPW is lowering. I did wear them in the interim, but they are getting more wear now.<br /><br />I related to many of the points made above, but one of my strategies hasn't really been mentioned. That is, reducing how much you buy in the first place!&nbsp; Really helps with CPW!&nbsp; For instance I restrict myself to one casual sweater a year. I may wear it up to 3 times a week the first year, and a bit less frequently the year after that. Then I'll demote it to loungewear.<br /><br />Items that just won't get much wear I only buy little of and try to buy cheaper. For instance I restrict how many "blouses that need camis". They are too hot in my summer and too cold in my winter so are only worn in autumn and spring.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905836 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000 Anonymous 905836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's been interesting to read all the comments. I haven't done any actual math, but I have an idea of a couple of items that have low cpw. The main one I can think of is my black leather boots and probably my tan ankle boots&nbsp;which I think must now be in pennies cpw, funny that they are both footwear. Other items are skirts and jeans.<br />&nbsp;In relation to my post about a piece of clothing (lbd maybe) that could be versatile for day or evening wear; your suggestion of trying a cheaper version first is excellent. I guess other main workhorses for me are jeans and I have decided to try some higher priced brands in order to find a better fit; I'm guessing the cpw would soon plummet. I make a lot of clothes myself and it may be an idea to try a cheaper fabric for some items first if the style is new to me; that way I get to test drive it first. For things like everyday skirts I don't mind buying very good quality wools as I know they too will be worn a lot, especially if it's a classic style. Thanks for making us all think more deeply about this subject Ingunn. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905807 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:46:59 +0000 Ingunn 905807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deborah, I would never have the discipline&nbsp;to do this with all the items in my wardrobe, either. I tried with my black dresses, but that's it. What I learned, though is applicable on other pieces, too. I'm not really worried about the exact CPW, as long as I don't have actual orphans, like you mention.&nbsp;<br /><br />Rachy, I couldn't agree more. A jersey tee would never hold up to the amount of wear that could bring the CPW down enough, and a cheaper version is just as good (or even better, giving you more value) in this case.&nbsp;<br /><br />Sylvie, that is so interesting! I'll pop over and have a look. Do you really count all the wears of everything? Impressive.<br /><br />Rambling Ann, I don't like it, either. It was a mistake buying that dress, and I'm more conscious of the label now, both of economical, practical and environmental reasons. Normally tencel is washable, but this dress has a surface treatment which will get ruined in water. Maybe I'll just try it anyway, or else I should donate it. It doesn't get much wear since it is so expensive to have it cleaned, and then it is a real waste sitting in my closet.<br /><br />Mamapicklejuice, I don't advocate doing this for everything, as this would be far too much work for most people. But I've learned what the real value of a purchase is, and how much I'm willing to spend on certain pieces. I'm after the workhorses, too. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905547 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:55:27 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 905547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Huh?&nbsp; Wearing the same clothes within a two week period is frowned on in American culture?&nbsp; Could be true for certain circles of friends, but it is not true of American culture as a whole.&nbsp; If anything, my New England upbringing and frugality encourages a small, efficient wardrobe.&nbsp; I suspect most of my wardrobe gets a very low cpw, but honestly fashion math is not my thing.&nbsp; I do want workhorses, but I don't want to know what their upkeep is.&nbsp; ;-)<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905538 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:44:48 +0000 Rambling Ann 905538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dry clean tencel? I've been laundering my tencel tunic just fine. If it had needed dry cleaning, I wouldn't have bought it. I just purposely washed a new linen tunic that said dry cleaning only because if it couldn't be washed I would get rid of it, new or not.&nbsp;The nearest dry cleaner is 60 miles from here. I can send it to the big city with DH if I have to, but that's a week to 10 days turnaround by the time he makes 2 trips and comes back to the ranch. I want to wear this tunic around here.&nbsp;Dry cleaning is only for something special and that gets multiple wearings between cleanings, like my black velvet blouse. I feel guilty about the environmental consequences too, so I really try to minimize it up front with my purchases.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905532 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:31:12 +0000 Sylvie 905532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am obsessed with CPW.&nbsp; Tracking CPW and budgeting allows me to buy clothes guilt-free.&nbsp; I can buy a few $$$ clothes or a lot of $ clothes and I can have some special items with high CPW but I know exactly what is and isn't earning its place in my wardrobe.<br /><br />My CPW stats have changed as I've bought new things but here's a writeup I did nearly a year ago.<br /><br /><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/62012-sylvies-wardobe-stats" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....dobe-stats</a><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math/page/2#post-905526 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:21:50 +0000 rachylou 905526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another thought occurred to me: I'm not sure if it's worth it to me to spend more on the things I wear most. Better quality can mean greater loveliness as opposed to greater durability. Also, there's a certain level of wear that, well, levels the playing field - where a high quality item won't last any longer than a lower quality one.<br /><br />When I went to the giganto mall, I found a very lovely, soft, finely draped, tissue thin white tee. $80 bucks. I carried it around with me for awhile and then put it back. I live in tissue tees. That tee was not gonna last any longer than my Target ones I know from experience. $80 v $12 at the same rate of replacements, well there's a lot that can be done with that other $68.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905509 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:45:56 +0000 Deborah 905509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire those of you who do this but I have to confess not giving cpw a lot of thought:). I feel very satisfied that currently there are no real wardrobe orphans in my closet and that everything I have does get worn (some more than others). I'm not a very financial person so it's hard for me to muster the discipline to work it all out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905499 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:40:43 +0000 Ingunn 905499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It's way beyond bedtime - bye for now https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905498 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:39:45 +0000 Ingunn 905498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anna, I think of this as merely a tool. If I spend wisely, I can have more fun for my money. I'm sure this applies to you, too? The actual amount of CPW&nbsp;doesn't really matter, but if something sits entirely unworn in my closet, it bugs me.&nbsp;Joy Per Wear is probably an equally good formula to go by. After all - if we don't love an item, it doesn't help that the CPW is low.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905487 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:21:07 +0000 annagybe 905487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fashion analysis at this level leaves me cold. I only really need to dress for my off days, which are only currently two days a week. To be really cost efficient I'd be wearing the same things all the time, which would bore me to tears. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905478 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:06:10 +0000 Ingunn 905478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Jewell, this is really interesting. The real value is probably in the knowledge you've gained for instance about&nbsp;the brown boots. Now you can splurge with confidence&nbsp;next time, knowing that the money will be well spent.&nbsp;<br /><br />Suz and Una, I definitely agree that this is ultimately about <i>learning what we are going to wear, regardless of price</i>. If there is no joy in wearing an item, it remains unworn in my wardrobe, too (I'm looking at you, silk tunic with abstract pattern).&nbsp;I don't mean that the workhorses always should be pricey, either. At the same time, I must admit that I enjoy the quality of the fabric (put it on a hanger after wear, and the creases are gone by next morning, any odor as well), and the perfect fit (it eased out a few mm's just like the SA promised it would) of my new and expensive LBD. I like it so much that I wan to wear it more often. This time, I got it right.<br /><br />Elle, you are bringing up another factor that I haven't brought into the equation. Dry cleaning! This is really expensive here, so I avoid it as long as possible. The need for dry cleaning can easily kill the joy of wearing. Last year, I bought a green dress in tencel. It has been dry cleaned twice already, because everything shows. It is no longer a mid price dress, but an expensive one. I handwash almost all silk, and wool fabrics can easily be spot cleaned, but tencel? Terrible. I don't think you are silly at all. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905473 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:53:21 +0000 Jewell 905473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure I can share examples. Just took a peek at my style stats in Stylebook and two items in my "Not used in any outfits" list stand out bc I expected to get a lot of wear out of them. One is the black pleated skirt from the Jason Wu for Target line. I remember thinking I had to have it. Another is a beaded scarf that I ran around to half a dozen stores to find- a waste of money and fuel.</p> <p>A few months ago I rationalized the purchase of a red bow clutch- a totally impractical purchase for a MOTG. The CPW is down to $9.40 after one season of wear- not bad IMO. My cheapie brown boots from Ross were a really smart buy. I've had them since fall of 2011 but have only tracked their CPW since November of 2012. The CPW for the last six months alone is under $2. I have plans to trade up for better quality in a similar style and color now that they've proven their versatility. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905470 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:48:28 +0000 ElleH 905470@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want to do this. I don't have time right now but I think it is worth doing. I tend to save some of my more expensive items in case they get damaged or stained or worn out or something &amp; because they are the ones that need dry cleaning.&nbsp;It seems silly now I've read this.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905466 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:45:12 +0000 catgirl 905466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Okay, I posted before reading other responses. &nbsp;Now I realize I could have just written "What Suz said.' https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905464 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:43:24 +0000 catgirl 905464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am figuring this out as well, but for me it has less to do with actual price and more with learning what I'll actually wear. &nbsp;I have F21 items I've worn to bits and F21 items I've consigned with tags still on. &nbsp;Same at the other end of the price range. &nbsp;<br /><br />Today I'm wearing the ChaCha Vente dress which I've worn far more than the more expensive Bailey 44 version. &nbsp;Why? &nbsp;It's an easier color for me (black), it's slightly less fitted, and it's very soft. &nbsp;My current struggle is with recognizing this kind of thing BEFOREHAND, rather than learning the hard way.<br /><br />So for me it's truly about learning what I'll wear - if I'll love and&nbsp;wear it often or need it for a true purpose, it's worth it at almost any price. &nbsp;And if not, it doesn't matter if it was free.&nbsp;<br /><br />Great thread, Ingunn! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905463 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:37:10 +0000 Suz 905463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think joy per wear definitely factors in. For me, at least, it's one reason I wear something. I mean, if I get no joy per wear then it does not get worn very often. To say the least.&nbsp;<br /><br />The things that become workhorses are the very things that give me great joy in wearing. <b>Usually</b> those happen to be the pricier items. But not always.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905456 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:29:18 +0000 Ingunn 905456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jewell, do you have any examples? I'm sure we all have different answers to this, and it is very interesting to hear about it. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905453 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:23:18 +0000 Jewell 905453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I generally loathe spreadsheets- too much forced use during grad school. However, I still track CPW through the Stylebook app on my phone. It does the calculating automatically and keeps an updated list of my least and most worn wardrobe items. It's been interesting to see which things were smart buys in reality versus which were smart buys in theory. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905448 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:19:51 +0000 Ingunn 905448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ See you tomorrow, Diane!&nbsp;<br /><br />IK, I LOVE the idea of Joy Per Wear. Of course it matters!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905446 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:17:38 +0000 Anonymous 905446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ingunn I'm about to turn in to bed, it's late in Uk and I'm shattered but I'll be back tomorrow AM to reply :). Great post idea. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905440 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:13:56 +0000 ironkurtin 905440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In regard to jeans, I spend money because I wear them to death.&nbsp; Also, no one notices if you wear the same dark denim every day!<br /><br />In regard to tops and sweaters, the thought of tracking cost per wear makes me depressed.&nbsp; What about Joy Per Wear?&nbsp; Does that count?<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905423 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:58:46 +0000 Ingunn 905423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachy, I think this is very common. I do it, too, but lately, I've become better to wear my clothes - all of them - a little more frequently.&nbsp;<br /><br />Jayne, the hidden costs can be minimized if your wardrobe is coherent, and everything mixes and matches quite easily. That it possible, but it might be constraining and boring to some.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905418 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:56:19 +0000 Suz 905418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am an emotional wearer, too, Jayne.&nbsp;<br /><br />Also, I consider coats to be a super-important essential in our climate, and adding a colourful coat is a very wise choice. (As Ingunn illustrated with her red coat this year!) We have to wear coats so much of the year. We need choices. I know this is not how we were raised. But it is sanity-saving!!&nbsp;<br /><br />Jayne, I also really like your strategy of trying things out at a lower price point before deciding whether to invest. That's essentially what I have done with a lot of my wardrobe items, either by buying on consignment or by getting them at H&amp;M or whatever. And I agree, sometimes the cheaper version works out just great -- like my LL Bean Breton sweater, in fact. No need to trade up when the less expensive version works.&nbsp;<br /><br />And yes -- there are wardrobe holes that we can't even identify until we have the item that turns out to be the unexpected workhorse of the season. Like my fuchsia jacket in the fall -- which I paid all of $20 for. I never was so shocked as when that turned out to be such a workhorse for me.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905417 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:55:31 +0000 Ingunn 905417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jayne, I find what you say about being frowned upon when wearing the same clothes too often in American culture very enlightening. I will not deny that I'm puzzled by the amount of clothes so many Americans seem to own. Now I understand it better. I don't think this is as prominent in Norway, although you <i>will </i>be noticed if you are too obvious. I remember a teacher or two - ahem.<br /><br />I think 7 coats is a very reasonable number in our unstable climate. And I definitely agree that many pieces like dresses and jackets should last at least 2-3 seasons. The CPW can get too high, even if the garment is a wardrobe workhorse.<br /><br />Suz, what an excellent question. I don't know how to predict my wardrobe workhorses either, but I think I've improved since joining YLF. I've predicted my Boss LBD to last for five years, and with an average wear of 20 times a year, the CPW will be very reasonable. Is this too optimistic? I'm not sure. I might tire of it, or I might gain weight, change proportions and so much more. I do know that my oldest dress has some of the same qualities, and I still love it as much as when I got it.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905410 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:43:06 +0000 jayne 905410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Donna, I hate that feeling of having to force myself to wear something. &nbsp;Even if it looks good, I feel icky all day and then I dislike the item even more. &nbsp;I may not be an emotional shopper, but I am an emotional wearer! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905407 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:39:20 +0000 Ingunn 905407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ But Lyn, do you consider those pieces&nbsp;worn out after a year? Or maybe you just have a little too many clothes Just kidding!&nbsp;I agree that more memorable pieces are harder to wear all that often.&nbsp;It is interesting to learn what you refer to as basics. To me, those three pieces are the quintessence of your style. No wonder they got a lot of wear!&nbsp;<br /><br />DonnaF, I hear you about the classics. But in my point of view, it's not about classics, but about essentials. Jeans, for example, or boots. Or Lyn's flared skirt. Whatever it is that defines your core wardrobe pieces. If it gets a lot of wear, it is safe to spend a little more.<br /><br />Mo, that sounds funny. Why is that, I wonder? I would guess that you find the more expensive things too precious to wear, even without knowing it.&nbsp;I've had cheap pieces that I've worn to death, too, and vice versa,&nbsp;but in general I'm better at wearing everything these days than I used to be.&nbsp;<br /><br />Liz, it's worth a few minutes to do this. you might get surprised. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905406 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:39:07 +0000 jayne 905406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz! Glad you chimed in. I am so with you on not knowing what will be work horses &nbsp;---thus, what is worth investing in ! Just today I bought a lime green down jacket that I agonized over buying because I don't know if it is justified in my closet ( i have 6 other spring coats). &nbsp;But I finally did the excel and mapped which outfits I could wear it with, versus the other coats I already have, and it turns out that there was a little hole after all.<br /><br />However to bring CPW into the picture, I predict that if I wear it 11 times this year (once for each outfit that needs it) and 11 times next year and the year after, it will get down to 50 NOK per wear, which is acceptable to me living&nbsp;here.<br /><br />Since a jacket should definitely last 3 years, even in style and color trend, I think it was worth buying. &nbsp;But that may be costly for someone else.<br />&nbsp;<br />The hidden cost in buying anything is the things you <i>NEED&nbsp;</i>in addition to make it work in the wardrobe. &nbsp;How do you calculate that? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905404 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:36:55 +0000 rachylou 905404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm. I tend to wear my cheapest things into the ground. They're usually the most current style wise and I feel less protective of them. Then I really really miss them. Or hang on to them past wearability.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/have-you-done-the-fashion-math#post-905403 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:32:49 +0000 jayne 905403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, and I am a mixed bag on cheap versus expensive in wear rates. &nbsp;I say it is 50-50. &nbsp;It is less painful to buy a cheap item I don't wear, but the more I concentrate on quality instead of price, the more often I have fails in expensivve items also. &nbsp;<br /><br />Howeve, my new strategy of buying cheap while trying out a new thing, then buying better later, is really working for me. &nbsp;<br /><br />If I am satisfied with the low cost item, I don't switch up, but if it bothers me and i want a better choice, then I spend. &nbsp;I did this with cobalt and orange blouses last year and could not be happier. &nbsp;But for my white chinos that I LOVE! &nbsp;I duplicated them in the same H&amp;M cheapo version instead. &nbsp;No need to trade up when the first work so well.