Cost per wear- less than $1 per wear?? - YouLookFab Forum

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Cost per wear- less than $1 per wear??

Sal

Veteran

I do track my wears and my cost per wear. It is not accurate in that I am guessing some of the older pieces in my closet - but I don't think I am too far off.

I do wonder when I hear people say that the cost of a designer item is down to cents or pennies per wear.....The only things in my closet less than $1 per wear were either purchased at $30 or less, or pieces of gear that get an awful lot of wear or a very few exceptions (a top purchased for $60 ten years ago that I still have and wear for example)

A $300 piece if worn 30 times will still be $10 a wear. To get to cents per wear it will need more than 300 wears. The only things that would get to that level of wear in my closet are a couple of pieces of gear, and potentially handbags or sunglasses...... My sneakers wear out before then, and my denim might get to 150 wears or so.

I will add that our dollar is worth less than a USD or a GBP or a Euro - so it is easier to achieve in other nations with a stronger currency. I have a medium sized closet - about 100 shoes and clothes - and I am not the best at getting sales or bargain pieces so others who are strong at that will get to a lower cost per wear.

For me, cost per wear is not my main consideration - it is making sure I wear the clothes I have purchased....but I just don't think the math adds up to get true designer pieces to less than $1 per wear - especially since most designer pieces are over $300.

Anyone else that tracks cost per wear getting lots of pieces under $1 per wear?

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33 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I do track this but only because my style app does it automatically.My best cost per wear pieces are the cheapest ones obviously.l don’t have designer gear but yes,one would have to wear it loads to get the c.p.w down but then as you say there’s more to the value of clothing than c.p.w in one’s wardrobe.l think it’s a useful stat but not the only measure of clothings worth.

Sloper

Veteran

As Cardiff Girl says - not the only measure of clothing’s worth.

I don’t track wears in detail, but I do keep good records of all spending and saving.

I’ve got several casual pieces like tees and joggers that I’m very confident are in the cents per wear range, only because I currently have a very casual and limited lifestyle and a handful of items get worn very frequently.

My nice work items probably got down to a few dollars per wear, when I worked full time.

Then the nicest wildcard type things have different value - I don’t expect to wear them frequently, and they have emotional/aesthetic value that is personal to me.

I try to focus on meeting my larger long range financial goals (saving and investing/retirement, etc), and don’t carry credit card balances.

In other words - don’t sweat it!!

LaPed

Veteran

What I learned pretty quickly when I did daily tracking was that outerwear and footwear will accumulate wears very fast *if* they're suited to my climate. For example, fashion sneakers take several years to get to just 30 wears (small weather window), while a good pair of winter-worthy boots might see 60+ wears in one season, if not closer to 100. My Blundstones have been getting 100+ wears for 7 years. They come out in September and stay in rotation through May. My oldest down parka (again, 7 years old) is not far behind. Shorter, lighter puffers have even higher numbers because I use them year round in the mountains. Winter gear gets the biggest chunk of my budget, but those items also have some of the lowest CPW in my whole closet.

Lynette

Maybe those getting their designer wearing down to pennies per wear are buying it thrifted?

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think Trinny says this quite a bit. For Trinny, I think she often has multiple events in one day, so multiple outfits. That allows her to achieve more “wears” than average. But, also, the type of wear would be light eg a one hour appearance on a morning show as opposed to all day wear at the office or at home. So I think that would allow her clothes to last longer.

I don’t track wears but I find my everyday clothes (especially jeans and Summer clothes) are lucky to last more than 3 seasons. Which would probably equate to about 120 wears when worn twice a week. Things that I wear only occasionally last longer but they also tend to cost more, which is part of the reason why I save them for occasional wear.

So I doubt I would get to this type of cost per wear on my occasional wear “designer” items but might achieve it on my (lower priced) everyday items.

Bijou

Veteran

I would say for me it is just as you have stated, being mainly accessories that were cheaper to start with (eg: sunhat or cap that cost $45 and gets worn on daily dog walk) and lasts for years. I find even items such as my sunglasses, which I wear daily as they cost $325, to get them to cents per wear is indeed a challenge.

Irina

Veteran

So, this is the reason I would spend much more on a bag than on a single piece of clothing - I can carry a same bag daily through a season if I want to but unlikely to wear same clothes as often. And a bag will last longer bringing CPW eventually low.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I have fewer than a dozen items (not counting bags) in my wardrobe that have hit $1/wear or lower, and none of them cost more than about $100 max. The types of items vary a lot for me, but my climate definitely plays a role, because there are barely any cold-weather items on the list. Those tend to cost more than summer clothing and their wear season is more limited.

I suppose that should act as a purchasing lesson, but honestly, I'm in a life phase right now where my tastes aren't changing rapidly, I'm willing to splurge on something I love, and I'm not opposed to keeping a beloved item in my closet indefinitely.

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Sloper

Veteran

Good point, Irina!

Sal

Veteran

I agree Cardiff Girl - it's not my most important factor either but I was intrigued how hard it is to get to less than $1 per wear...

Sloper - this is not my goal either, just an observation. I just feel that when people are saying this that it may not be actually realistic......

LaPed - yes I agree outerwear, boots, sunglasses, bags and gear!! My practical winter boots are at 70 wears in two winters with almost no signs of wear.

Lynette - it's a few influencers that I hear saying this who are mostly justifying new designer purchases that already have a large wardrobe!!

Brooklyn - Trinny does use this phrase - and I know she keeps her pieces a long time. I agree - I find many of my more everyday pieces like jeans, shirts, knits, high use dresses will get through two seasons and wear out on the third.

A good example is my shirt dress. Purchased 2019, and I calculate about 43 wears over that time. It cost $220 so the cost per wear is still over $5. To half that or get to $2.50 it would need to be worn another 40 plus times. Or my Levis, purchased 2021 with about 80 wears are sitting at $2.50 per wear. They probably won't get to less than a dollar a wear....

I don't mind - my focus is on buying pieces I will wear - and enjoying them - not overpurchasing or buying things that won't last. But it's a bit like the term of "investment" buying when with a few exceptions clothing and accessories depreciate rapidly - these are terms used to justify our purchases.

Sal

Veteran

Yes I agree Bijou and Irina - accessories that get a lot of use can get there. I don't track my bags or sunglasses but they get a really high amount of use. And wear - so are prone to wearing out - I do think a quality handbag will last better than a cheaper one.

Interesting Jenn - cost per wear is not my driver either - it's about love and function and style and use.

Runcarla

Veteran

After counting wears for garments for about 4 years, I’ve got a good sense now for how long an item can last, if cared for properly, and I’m disappointed if a garment breaks down too quickly. On the other hand, I might pass an item on after low numbers of wear due to a reason other than a structural fail, and in that case the low CPW is my error.

I often get core essentials down to $1 per wear (or less) during their lifespan, which is about 3 years: jeans, crew neck sweaters, t-shirts, shorts, button downs. But, I’m a hard core budget fashionista. I’ve had $40-60 jeans rack up from 160-200 wears, and $30 sweaters and $20 t-shirts over 60 wears before I felt I couldn’t wear them any longer. My biggest bargain so far is a black merino sweater thrifted for $8, worn 50x and still in my closet, and I have only 2 ‘designer’ items - one thrifted, and one gifted!

More $ gets spent on outerwear, because for almost half the year where I live, the coat is the outfit, but I get good CPW there too. With a small coat collection, most see high double digits if not triple digit wear.

A few things like vacation bathing suits and occasion wear are more ‘high stakes’ and weighted heavily towards how I feel - such that CPW doesn’t even factor into the purchase!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I do think the term “pennies per wear” is overused in the face of reality. I remember (long ago) a forum member claiming they had many items that were “fractions of pennies per wear” and I was skeptical at best. That would have meant wearing a $1 item more than 100 times!

rachylou

Veteran

What’s going through my mind… is my $14 Ross leggings, worn twice a week for two years is 7¢ a wear… and I don’t understand if that’s supposed to make them better than my $800 Coach topper/jacket, which I also got at Ross for $140 and rarely wear, a better buy? Because the topper is a seriously awesome piece. I refuse to throw dough in it, however. Also, is someone who bought the jacket at the original price ‘a loser’? They got the jump on me my two years after all (I think it was in Ross because someone must have found it behind a shelf in the stockroom long after the fact).

Or I’ll put it this way: certain things should maybe have a high cost per wear and certain things maybe shouldn’t?

Am I looking at this all wrong?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well, I think I can tell you mine. Don’t want to bore you though! Sample:
2015 $20 black layering top 56 wears under 50c/wear.
2018 2 black layering tops $18.74 each 66 wears each under 33c/wear.
2019 black mesh top $30 35 wears under $1/wear.
Etc etc…much easier if they were on crazy sale like a Sabatini red top from factory outlet sale for $10 in 2022 is already there after only 17 wears so far.
Sales really really help- like my absolute fave soft black jacket (which I have tried to replace with 2 others, which I do wear, but neither is as good), which I wore today, is my most worn jacket with 218 wears, but started at a $58 price when original retail was around $180. Having said that, if I’d known it would be this good I could have happily paid the full price and it would still be under $1 per wear.
But I didn’t know! And I get scared that something will go wrong with whatever it is if it’s expensive and then I won’t get #30 wears or good value.
Most of my clothes are not under $1/wear but a quarter of them are (about 30 out of 120) and 10 out of 38 pair shoes, so again about a quarter.
I’m actually quite proud of this!
I don’t believe Trinny for a minute. I think it’s mostly an excuse to persuade oneself to buy, that a piece of clothing is an “investment”.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni - your real data proves the point brilliantly!

Sisi

Veteran

I agree with you that the higher the price, the more difficult it is to get a 1$ or less cost per wear. I do not track CPW but to answer to your poll I checked my files and found out that I have a few pieces with a CPW of 1 euro or less. It's those pieces that easily hit 100+ wears (jeans, booties, puffers, some tees) and the price (full or discounted) was within 100 euro.

Anonymous

I track wears but don't track CPW. For expensive pieces, my glasses, especially my rx sunnies, and wedding ring would definitely be under $1 per wear as I wear them daily.
Some of my wardrobe was from consignment, prices generally $10-$20, so very low CPW.
Some of my bags and shoes very likely qualify too, and swimsuits. Maybe coats.

I don't factor in possible CPW when I buy, just PUPY (potential uses per year). Though from tracking wears, I'm learning that my transitional things get worn more than I thought!

sabimct

Cardiff Girl - what is the 'style app' that you referred to?

Anyone know?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don't track anything (except for a loose awareness in my own mind -- I can pick up an item in my closet and make a pretty good estimate of how much I've worn it!). But yeah, I think getting CPW that low on an item that costs hundreds of dollars would take a lot of time.

My best example would probably be my Bao Bao backpack. It was my priciest bag purchase to date, but I've used it a ton. It's probably down to $3-4 a wear at this point and still going very strong. I have far less expensive handbags that haven't reached that point because they aren't as versatile.

BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE Hiker Geometric Backpack - Farfetch

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LaPed

Veteran

I agree with Rachylou's point that CPW may not be the right metric for every item. I know there are many who advocate not "saving for good"... but then there are those of us who really do wreck our clothes. And need to look nice occasionally. If I wanted my clothes to get worn evenly, I'd probably need to be at about 80% chore-wear/gear (the Ross leggings in Rachy's example) and 20% smart-casual+ (the Coach jacket). It's hard because it's way more fun to buy the Coach jacket than the leggings, even knowing opportunities for wearing it will be limited!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

LaPed, exactly. To your point, I can't imagine buying some of my more "fun" items with only a low CPW in mind. There are a number of items I have that are not frequently worn, as they are "special" but I don't expect them to be everyday items -- they are statements (not necessarily dressy or occasion wear, but for days when I want something extra), and I absolutely do not expect a low CPW factor out of them.

I agree with getting maximum longevity and wear out of wardrobe workhorse items, for sure, and I love a good buy! But happiness factor is a valid measurement too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't track wears or CPW, and am entertained by this thread, Sal

Jenni, you had me in stitches with your last paragraph!!! So true.

I'm nodding along with Janet that my happiness-factor is a satisfactory measurement for any wardrobe item.

Brooklyn, you make a good point about everyday clothes wearing out faster than the rest - especially knits and shoes (for me, personally). 3 seasons is about right - and good going actually!

Items I wear EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. :

pearl jewellery
Apple watch
wedding ring
3 pairs of specs
house sneakers
house slippers

#1 to #4 are pricey - the shoes are not in comparison.

I'd say those items have whittled down to the lowest CPWs in my wardrobe.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all with your comments! It has made for interesting reading and Jenni and Carla you are both getting excellent bang for your buck!!

I guess what I am most interested in - but not really measuring is whether the $30 top stays in my closet as long as the $200 one or similar. How do they wear - how much do I still like them after two years - or five years? There are lots of reasons to choose the more expensive one - quality, design, ethical manufacture, local owners etc. but when I do - I do think and hope I will get value in the end. And sometimes just loving it enough is enough.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Some very good points here. I'm an intermittent tracker but my experience echoes what many have already said.

As you mentioned, Sal, it's harder to get a very low CPW if your currency is worth less and clothing costs are higher than in the US. We feel this in Canada also. As Jenni pointed out, if I bought it on sale (or it was very inexpensive to start) the chances of low CPW are greater.

In the end, CPW isn't really what I think about when purchasing-- I think more holistically about the wardrobe and how it will work to make/ add to outfits and how much pleasure it will bring when worn.

Yet I do wear some items enough to get them down to about $1 per wear -- mostly, as LaPed noted, practical outerwear, boots, sneakers, hiking gear, PJs, and jeans. Or as Irina and Angie noted -- frequent use higher ticket items like earrings, bag, watch.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Suz!

I really felt the hurt of our currency recently in the USA - boy did it feel expensive with lowly NZD!!

My hope always is that I will love the pieces enough to keep and wear them for a decent amount of time - whether they are $10 thrift shop buys or $300 new pieces.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't track CPW (although quite a lot of my clothing cost under $3), and think it is just one tool for seeing clothing as not disposable. So if I have a dress I wear once a year for 10 years but it is perfect for that occasion it is more than worth it to me whatever the price.

bella

(website)

Veteran

When I used to track cost-per-wear years ago (around the time I found YLF), this was one of my first realizations. "The cost is down to pennies" is a huge exaggeration for most clothes, and almost impossible for designer items. Of course, people buy clothes for many reasons, and cost-per-wear does not have to be a consideration. But, I still think it is very misleading, and the very first thing that anyone who starts tracking wears will realize.

My purchasing philosophy is similar to yours, find clothes I will enjoy wearing again and again and hopefully for a very long time. Be respectful of the environment and make sure that the clothes find a home if I have to pass them on before they are unfit for wear.

notsaf

Veteran

I tracked for a year or more some years ago. Like Angie, best bang for my buck was fine jewelry, as I wear the same pieces everyday. Even shoes, outwear, and bags are less consistent, as I cycle them in and out seasonally.

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