https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:34:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032690 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:54:37 +0000 Jenni NZ 2032690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And my equivalent dollar figure is about $150 so that at least 30 wears brings it to $5 per wear. Many are less: just looking down my list I have &lt;30c, several under $1 and many under $3. The failures in cost terms are mostly not terribly comfortable shoes: $22, $17, $25. Oh dear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032689 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 09:46:04 +0000 Jenni NZ 2032689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These last two posts are awesome! I want my wardrobe to look tidy and not stuffed, and now that I promised hubby when we moved into the new house that I would not overtake his side of the walk-in, I am finding I do need to clear more stuff. But I agree that I don’t want the “donations” to end up in a third world country. I have donated a fair bit since last year but like it best when the stuff is so well worn it can go to the “clothing bin” ( for rags). And I am trying to manage the purchases such that they WILL be worn.<br /> I also relate to your thinking Gigi about getting tired of things after a certain time. Mine is a bit longer than 3 years. It is often about 7 years, if not been worn enough to wear out. I need to aim that they will wear out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032681 Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:37:14 +0000 Gigi 2032681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm someone who tracks wears. I hope to get most items down to $2-3 per wear (excepting special occasion wear). I don't go by number of wears (such as 30) but by cost per wear. I don't have a lot of money, so this helps me feel that I am getting the most out of my clothes. If I'm not wearing something enough to get it down to this value, I don't force myself to wear it more, but I do analyze the item to find out why I'm not wearing it. Likewise, if there is an item that is a workhorse, I ask myself why it is a workhorse, and I might consider buying another item like it.</p> <p>Over a few years of tracking wears, I have discovered that I tend to tire of a piece after about three years of wearing it. I have found that if I want to meet my target cost per wear in this time, I need to avoid spending more than about $100 for an item. I will indeed spend more than $100 if I need to (on a HEWI, for instance), but I understand that I might not meet my target up front. If I'm OK with that and think the purchase is worth it anyway, I'll pull the trigger.</p> <p>So, in short, for me tracking cost per wear is just a way for me to feel that my wardrobe dollars are being spent on items that I will wear a lot, and they won't be spent on stuff that's just lying around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032549 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 20:57:21 +0000 Gaylene 2032549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto to everything Suz said! And Angie!</p> <p>If a 30-wear strategy helps a person figure out a closet size which fits her lifestyle, budget, and environmental sensitivities, then why not use it? But, what works for one person doesn’t always have the same impact on another person’s decisions.</p> <p>In my case, hands down the most helpful strategy has been closet visibility. Having a limited closet space—and making a conscious decision to keep everything in view—keeps me very aware of the number of items I have in each category every time I’m getting dressed. That daily reminder ends up being a form of the “one-in, one-out” strategy since a stuffed closet is really unappealing to my eye. I like my closet best when the items in it look well cared for and valued, not jumbled into an indistinguishable mess. Freeing up space by purging, though, no longer works for me because of the sneaking suspicion I’m using the facade of “donation” to alleviate my guilt at tossing away wearable clothing given the odds are most of my un-wanted clothing might well end up in a garbage dump in a third world country. A visible closet, on the other hand, forces me to learn, not hide, from my mistakes. Often, just the thought that I’ll be living with a purchase for a period of time—even if I choose to not wear it—makes me think a lot harder before I press the “Buy” button. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032531 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 20:12:57 +0000 Sal 2032531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have enjoyed this thread - I always enjoy #30wears conversations.</p> <p>I agree with most of what has been said - and whilst I don’t track my wears, I keep a rough idea of how often I pull out a piece. Like with most of us it is all over the place from well over 100 to twice or three times. </p> <p>I consider this concept when buying - rather than editing.</p> <p>I also think choosing pieces that look like they would cope with 30 wears helps. For example tissue thin tees don’t last as well as thicker cotton. Shoes that could be reheeled and polished. </p> <p>It is not an exact science. But I cringe when people comment “ this top was only $8 so it doesn’t matter if I only wear it once” or something to that effect.</p> <p>My weakness is also dressy clothes - more than I need for my casual lifestyle. And the odd piece I think will be a workhorse and just is not - looking at you casual grey cotton jacket. I am usually pretty good with pants, work and casual dresses, tops, shoes and bags. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032514 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:46:12 +0000 Anonymous 2032514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am another that believes the gap between the imagined number of wears and the actual number of wears is pretty large. I proved this to myself when Jenn first introduced the concept on YLF. &nbsp;I immediately jumped all over her post because I had data to prove how often I reached 30 wears per garment. &nbsp;I was mistaken across the board.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032511 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:32:30 +0000 bella 2032511@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't track wears or cpw anymore but I used to. This by Jenn rings absolutely true for me: "I track because when I started doing the actual math by looking at the size of my wardrobe, etc, I was SHOCKED at how many items weren’t even coming close to 30 wears."</p> <p>I would actually recommend the exercise to everyone, even if for a limited period of time, if this is one of your goals. The gap between the imagined and actuality is pretty big, and I have a small wardrobe comparatively (around 100 items at the most for 4 seasons). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032510 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:27:51 +0000 Katerina 2032510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting! Thank you, guys, for all the wise comments.<br />Great point about the style - classic and/or trendy will make a difference. I am more classic/retro than trendy - the trendy element in my wardrobe is small. So my "natural instinct" is to want clothes that last and last and get many wears. Which is, of course, neither realistic nor optimal, but just how I choose when I shop. Whether or not it turns out like that in reality is another story.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Kkards,&nbsp;</b>what a great point about the retailer's different calculation methods and what a good example from your wardrobe. Interesting, if these items were mine, I would have most wears on the blazer, then the trousers and the last would be the tee ...&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Angie</b>, your state of wardrobe and wardrobe happiness are something to strive for.</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032496 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:18:41 +0000 kkards 2032496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>if i aimed for 30 wears on everything, i'd never own a statement piece...on the other hand if i aim for an average of 30 wears on my total wardrobe, i'd be golden<br />for example. today i'm wearing a fuchsia blazer... maybe i'll wear it once a month during the spring and summer so...6 wears this year...i mean its really bright and outside my usual comfort zone...the maybe 6 next year, and who knows my year 3....but i'm wearing it with a Uniqlo tee thats on year 3 that i wear every other a week for 7 months--so 15 times a year --or 46 wear to date...for bottoms i'm wearing a pair of camo plants i got last summer, i wear these probably every 3rd week year round so 17 times a year....so taken together its&nbsp;</p> <p>~Tee&nbsp; </p> <p>life to date wears 46 estimated wears End of Life 77</p> <p>~pants&nbsp;&nbsp;  life to date wears 17 estimated wears End of Life 34</p> <p> ~blazer&nbsp;  life to date wears 1 estimated wears End of Life 12</p> <p>Average</p> <p>&nbsp;life to date wears 21 estimated wears End of Life 41&nbsp;<br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032474 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:20:53 +0000 Liesbeth 2032474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for asking this question, katarina. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I don't track and only use cpw to justify expensive glasses frames, coats and shoes. For most other things I tend to find lovely items at many price points and style + quality + brand ethics + 'will it hold up to wear with my lifestyle (eg white, pantyhose...) factor in more in my decision to 'splurge' (as much or little as I do) or save. However, the 30 wear concept had really opened my eyes to how much or how little I need to add to certain wardrobe categories. E.g for summer dresses that I will likely only wear about 5 times a year, I should not stock up. As in, I don't want to because I want to really wear out my clothes as a general rule. And if I add another top, it should probably be one I want to reach for at least a dozen times in the first season after purchase (but this is still a work in progress). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032467 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:56:08 +0000 Suz 2032467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Lisa</b> and <b>BJ</b> hit on the points I was trying to make earlier. If a person's style is largely "classic" or perhaps avant-garde and that person lives in a very temperate climate and never perspires and has the most gentle washer in the world and has perhaps two or three roles to dress for (e.g. work and home, with no others -- does such a person even exist???) &nbsp;it is easy to think that 30 wears per item might be achievable.&nbsp;</p> <p>But:</p> <ul> <li>if your style is trendy -- or even includes an <b>element</b> of trendy&nbsp;</li> <li>If you live in a climate of extremes and tend to perspire on your clothing</li> <li>if you have some washer mishaps</li> <li>if you need to dress for a wide variety of roles and dressing appropriately for each role is very important to you</li> <li>if you prefer to buy all clothing new (vs. thrift or consignment)</li> </ul> <p>then some items will inevitably fall out of favour before you've achieved the magical mystical 30 wear-mark.&nbsp; </p> <p>Points 1, 2, and 3 definitely apply to me. I do buy (some) consignment items now that nice consignment stores are available to me. I also pass along my worn items to relatives and friends, which does increase the wear life. But even with a largely classic style, a well maintained and curated wardrobe, and lots of items that I wear far more than 30 times -- I confess that I will often get rid of (esp. summer clothes) after a single season simply because they don't feel pristine any more, don't hang properly, etc. Or because I want to try a new silhouette!&nbsp;</p> <p>Even so, the question seems a decent one to ponder. I think, similar to TG, it's the process of pondering before purchase, period, that is likely to help us out, whether we're trying to preserve our financial security, our environment, workers' livelihoods, or our closet space -- or some combination of the above. In the end, though, I know for myself, if I really love it, I usually try to find a way to buy it. Which is why I am on a fashion site in the first place, probably.&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, and <b>Jenni</b> needs those boots.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032464 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:47:40 +0000 Angie 2032464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand the appeal of tracking wears. You want to get a certain something out of your wardrobe - the numbers, mileage and preferences - and tracking allows you to do just that. The results can be very satisfying, and help you manage your wardrobe and future purchases. It can put you in a very happy wardrobe place. That makes perfect sense.</p> <p>But horses for courses, always :)</p> <p>I would be very unhappy tracking wears. I am very emotionally driven but what I want to wear on a day or night. My preferences also change slightly from season to season. Tracking wears would negatively impact the emotion that makes me happy about my daily dressing decision. I'm not concerned with making sure an item gets X amount of wears. I'm concerned with: </p> <ul> <li>my emotions when I wear the item/outfit</li> <li>orphans</li> <li>closet size</li> <li>wardrobe visibilty &nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>I realize this is easy for me to say because I have a very well curated wardrobe that works superbly for my needs and wants. I'm a lucky fish! I get that tracking your wears can help you get there.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032454 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:18:49 +0000 Anonymous 2032454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still thinking this through. If , as Sisi said, I can't answer "yes" to the question " will I wear this top 10 times this summer , for the next 3 summers?" ....do I not buy it ? &nbsp;If that question was posed to everything I looked at, I'd never buy a thing. &nbsp; I'm thinking about , and looking at, the top I am wearing right now. &nbsp;I bought it about 2-3 weeks ago and this is the second time I've worn it. 8 more times this summer? Sure, but another 10 each for the next 2? I really doubt it. &nbsp;It wasn't pricey, and wasn't bought to fill any other hole than the "I need some summer tops that aren't t-shirts" but it's a trendier, different kind of top than I usually wear and I can't see it being important enough to hang onto after next summer. &nbsp;I don't know if there is a way to keep your wardrobe looking the way I want mine to (equal mix of trendier/new pieces and statement/long-term pieces ) without a certain amount of turnover that doesn't meet the 30 wear threshold. &nbsp;</p> <p>I guess that I'm seeing that I need to keep my trendier/new/fun pieces to a minimum in order to reduce waste.....although donating them /giving them away mitigates some of that guilt. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032451 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:09:21 +0000 bj1111 2032451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the goal is to minimize the impact on the environment or to be more mindful of how we spend resources (life energy, fossil fuel, money), there are many ways to achieve this beyond #30 wears.</p> <p>I’ve shifted to buying consignment allowing me to purchase legacy brands at a higher quality for a price that does not make my wallet scream. This increases the wear of the item even if it’s not all due to me.</p> <p>Because I don’t wear out my clothes, I gift them to my grad student niece and others rather than reselling. Again extending their wearable lives.</p> <p>Being appropriate for the occasion is a high priority. Warrior clothes, date night, gardening, funeral. Even if the items are purpose-bought never to be worn again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032441 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 13:04:46 +0000 Helena 2032441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's another thought - how many retailers would be out of business if we truly applied this standard? It struck me as I read more about this concept on a fashion site ... It seems there's a bit of cross-purposes there ... Interesting food for thought! I might start tracking this just for interest!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear/page/2#post-2032439 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:49:39 +0000 Sisi 2032439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got to know&nbsp;the 30 wears concept thanks to Jenn here on YLF and I immediately found it very helpful. </p> <p>In the past I have calculated the cpw for a while but then stopped because I realized it did not teach me anything.&nbsp; </p> <p>Considering that my goal is to have a small wardrobe made of the "right" &nbsp;clothes, it is the number of wears that shows me whether a purchase has been successful&nbsp;or not. </p> <p>The 30 wears concept helps me buy the right clothes.&nbsp; I ask myself: "Can you imagine yourself wearing this thing repeatedly, at least 10 times this&nbsp;season, without getting bored?". It has happened that&nbsp;I was considering to buy a piece of clothing&nbsp;that I liked very much, but when I asked myself this question the answer was no. Mistake avoided. </p> <p>It is true, as you say, that sometimes shopping mistakes are unpredictable, but I am definitely doing better now than in the past. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032430 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 11:16:52 +0000 kkards 2032430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>in retail there are different ways to think about profitabilty which i think can also be applied to this conversation...<br />some retailers want every item to stand on its own, so each item must hit a minimum margin rate...this will lead a retailer to pass on certain items that might sell, but not with in its narrow profit view....another retailer will look at that same item and calculate that it can charge more for a different item and the collection of items will, together, hit the desired margin rate..and a third will look, not at the margin of any single item, but at how fast they can sell and the overall margin dollars that the quick turn over can generate....<br />so you can look to hit 30 wears on everything, you can look to average 30 wears on your tops etc, or average 30 wears on your wardrobe as a whole...you can count 30 wears per year, or 30 wears per life of the item....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032427 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:50:02 +0000 Katerina 2032427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting discussion!</p> <p>Suppose the 30 wear mark is a minimum number of wears for an average piece (not very seasonal like swimwear or occasion dresses etc.), then the relevant question is why we get rid of items which do not make 30 wears or more. One of my biggest frustrations is when they get worn out before that ... "normal" clothes should last 30 wears without being visibly worn, I think. Another one is footwear which turns out to be uncomfortable. Sometimes, it is impossible to know when you are buying. So there will always be some wrong purchases, which are unpredictable.&nbsp;<br />The 30 wear question seems like a useful shopping tool to avoid shopping for someone else's lifestyle or someone else's style, which I am sometimes guilty of. Now, for example, I have a bit too many jeans for my very limited use of them - 4 pairs of blue jeans bought within the last two years. Two pairs are faves - so maybe, they will get thirty wears over a couple of years. The other two - not likely....&nbsp; On the other hand, I have MANY pairs of black trousers - different shapes and lengths. These I am not worried about.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032418 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:14:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2032418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I might be with Suz in enjoying the sale prices which may benefit no-one but myself. Although I suppose at least the retailer does clear the stock? My favourite shoe store owner ( we are on first name terms, ha ha) says he does still need customers like me. I think I have bought 8 of my 47 pairs of shoes from him. All I think on some degree of sale. But they seem to go on sale so fast! I am musing on some boots I first saw late March. It is only 2.5 months and they’re already on substantial sale! It’s not as if there are many absolute “must haves” when I have essentially non-fussy feet and a huge choice already? I haven’t pulled the trigger on these because how likely are they to get 30 wears? Even though as soon as I picked them up he said they had my name on them. He knows my taste well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032412 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:00:09 +0000 Mainelady 2032412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t track CPW, but I am mindful of it when I make a pricey purchase. If an item is expensive for me, I really pause to consider how much daylight it will see. If my purchases fall into the categories of shoes/ boots, jackets/coats, handbags or jewelry, I know they will be in very frequent rotation and I often decide they are worth the price tag. My guilty pleasure are dresses. I adore dresses, but have several that really only get worn in the spring and summer and some of those, only for work. Most of those are unlikely to see 30 wears. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032397 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 07:55:42 +0000 Barbara Diane 2032397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of it as part of a way to think about my wardrobe, before I purchase and then later when I analyze what has actually happened. And as a choice point.</p> <p>So, although I actually wear my shoes for years until they fall apart, I have a wildcard pair with almost no wears. I really like them but the print on them doesn’t go with my print shirts. Which also happened with a lot of my scarves. But once I realize the lack of wears I make outfits with the less worn items. And now I know to think through potential non top printed purchases.</p> <p>The potential use is another tool I use. About 5 years ago I was losing weight and realized I didn’t need to buy that much to get through one winter. I wanted to save for once my weight stabilized. That was an aha moment when I realized I needed less than I usually owned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032386 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 06:19:32 +0000 Bijou 2032386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an interesting thread. Like Suz, my more dressy items of clothing are unlikely to hit the 30 wears, simply because I don’t have that many dressy events to attend. However from a sparks joy perspective, they are amongst my favourite items to own and wear. </p> <p>My jeans and sports wear gets way more than 30 wears and yet for me, I am happier to have a smallish capsule of jeans and gear and own nicer occasion wear because that is what works for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032383 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 05:56:35 +0000 Suz 2032383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If it's a minimum, I'm in trouble in several departments -- esp. what I might call "occasion wear." But by "occasion" I do not mean black tie; I mean "ordinary dressy" (if that is even a category?). The thing is -- those of us who have multiple roles in life will always struggle to achieve a large number of wears for items that work specifically for the roles for which we dress less frequently -- yet we still need those clothes! I do try to buy such items on sale and try not to overbuy for those roles -- but I need them. A few examples of items I'm not sure will ever get 30 wears in my closet, even though they are good quality, have "longevity" in style terms (mostly pretty classic) and are extremely valuable to me on those occasions I wear them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Item 1 was thrifted.&nbsp;<br />Item 2 was an NAS purchase but still very pricey for me.&nbsp;<br />Item 3 was substantially discounted to the point of being a "fun" wild card.&nbsp;<br />Item 4 was also on sale -- substantial discount.&nbsp;<br />Item 5 was on sale and was not pricey in the first place.&nbsp;<br />Item 6 was on sale, about half price.&nbsp;<br />Items 7 &amp; 8 (tops) were also on substantial sale).&nbsp;</p> <p>All the sale price does is make them more available to me -- selfishly, I'm happy, but it's not benefitting the environment or workers or anyone except myself.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032356 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 02:06:00 +0000 SarahD8 2032356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>From an environmental point of view I think "30 wears" is a fairly arbitrary standard -- meant more as a heuristic to remind yourself to pause and think purchases through. At least, I have never seen any quantitative explanation of it. It wouldn't make sense to have the same standard across the board anyway since different types of garments involve different environmental impacts.</p> <p>I am with you though Katerina (and Jenn), I would like to wear many of my items much more than 30 times, so I think of it as a minimum.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032351 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 01:32:54 +0000 Jenn 2032351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>30 wears is also supposed to be the minimum, not the goal. About 20% of my wardrobe is over the 50-wear mark. 6% is over 100. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032346 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 01:22:24 +0000 Jaime 2032346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun fact (to me ) I think that the CPW was invented much earlier. I know it is featured in the second hand classic Cheap Chic published in 1975.<br />Anyway, I do not track wears, and most of my clothes come with an unknown of previous wears built in, but how about this twist - buy clothes that look like they could last 30 wears.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032344 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 01:16:10 +0000 rachylou 2032344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always wonder about the 30 wears too. What does it mean? Should clothing be expected to hold up better? Could it ever? </p> <p>30 wears is less than once a week for a year. Is an item good if you don’t want to wear it every week? Of course, the same item won’t do for all seasons.</p> <p>And then, for example, with the amount of walking I do, I could easily destroy a pair of shoes in 30 days (I seriously wonder how folks trekked across America to settle it).</p> <p>If I wore things for 30 days straight in a row, bought a whole new outfit every month and wore it... does that seem right? Would that be wasteful? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032341 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:54:36 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 2032341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first instinct was also to think 30 wears is low, but maybe if I actually tracked religiously I’d learn my numbers are smaller than I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032332 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:22:05 +0000 Helena 2032332@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Katerina, I don't track either but I did enjoy this discussion! So interesting. Fwiw, my take on all these various programs is that, to the extent that they work, it's because they help us to become more mindful consumers, thinking before we buy and growing in wisdom as to what, how, and how much we consume. </p> <p>Like diets or fitness plans, one won't work for everyone, they probably all have their benefits and imperfections, and if we all do our best with whichever one we choose, the whole thing moves a little further in a healthy direction </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/questions-about-cost-per-wear#post-2032331 Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:18:05 +0000 Suz 2032331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good discussion here.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks to <b>Jenn</b> and <b>Jenni </b>and a few others here, I do use the "30 wears" test at point of purchase. Not so much as a budgeting tool but more in consideration of the environment. But I use it rather loosely, more as a reminder to think about the impact of my decisions and ask myself whether this is a valuable purchase or whether I'm shopping for some other reason.&nbsp;</p> <p>And if something isn't working for me, I don't force myself to wear it 30 times. I let it go.&nbsp;</p> <p>Contrariwise, I also wear many of my clothing items many many more than 30 times. That's pretty much the definition of a workhorse. ;)&nbsp;</p> <p>Those with very small wardrobes won't necessarily get 30 wears from each item -- it all depends on the amount of "wardrobe churn" they tolerate. And sometimes things wear out faster when your wardrobe is small -- maybe even before 30 wears.&nbsp;</p> <p>If your style is "classic with a twist" (or something like that) you can probably get 30 wears from a lot of items just by holding onto them for a long time -- even if you have a huge wardrobe. But people with a trendier style will want to wear their clothing a lot in the first year or two and then pass it along. It's all so personal.&nbsp; </p>