Here’s Why You Should Think About Cost-Per-Wear Before Buying Anything New
Photo by Liane Cumming
As a sometimes-impulse buyer, I know the cycle all too well. It starts with an innocent scroll through an online store or a quick trip to the mall. I spot something—maybe it’s a $150 coat—and suddenly, it’s all I can think about. I’ll watch TikTok reviews, pin it to my Pinterest board, and envision myself wearing it everywhere. In my head, it’s already a staple piece in my wardrobe, and I’m convinced I can’t live without it.
And then I buy it. The obsession fades as quickly as it began. I wear it a few times, and before I know it, it’s banished to the back of my closet, forgotten and gathering dust. Sound familiar?
That’s where cost-per-wear comes in. It’s the method that’s saved me from wasting money on clothes that don’t deserve a second thought. It’s not just about how much you spend; it’s about how much value you actually get. Want to know how it works and why it’ll change the way you shop forever? Let’s break it down.
Why You Should Care About Cost-Per-Wear
Photo by Alina Komarevska
Let’s talk about why cost-per-wear is the ultimate shopping hack—and no, it’s not just about justifying splurges (though it’s great for that too).
Photo by ALINA MATVEYCHEVA
It Saves You Money in the Long Run
Here’s the deal, when you focus on cost-per-wear, you’re less likely to spend money on trendy, one-hit-wonder pieces that don’t pull their weight. That $75 neon crop top might look cute now, but if you only wear it once, it’s costing you… well, $75 per wear. Compare that to a $200 coat you grab every time the temperature drops—it’s practically paying for itself by winter’s end.
It Promotes Intentionality
Raise your hand if you’ve ever stood in front of a closet full of clothes and thought, “I have nothing to wear.” Same. Cost-per-wear encourages you to focus on versatile, wearable items that work for your actual life—not just your Pinterest board. Think dark wash jeans that go with everything or loafers you can wear from the office to brunch.
It Highlights Value, Not Just Price
Here’s a mindset shift: expensive doesn’t always mean wasteful, and cheap doesn’t always mean smart. A $300 bag you use every day for five years? That’s a win. A $50 bag that falls apart after three months? Not so much. When you calculate cost-per-wear, you’ll start to see the real value of investing in quality pieces over fast-fashion quick fixes.
Photo by cottonbro studio
How to Use the Cost-Per-Wear Method
Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Wardrobe
Let’s start with the hard truth: your closet isn’t working as hard as it should. Open it up and ask yourself:
What do I wear all the time?
You know those dark wash jeans you basically live in or those loafers that go with literally everything? These are your MVPs. Their cost-per-wear is so low they’re practically paying you at this point.What’s gathering dust?
And then there’s the “what was I thinking?” section. Maybe it’s that blazer you swore you’d wear to work (but the sleeves always feel weird) or those shoes that pinch so badly you’d rather go barefoot. Take note of what made these pieces impractical so you don’t make the same mistake again. Unless you’re collecting fashion regrets, it’s time to be honest about what’s just taking up space.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
Step 2: Ask Before You Buy
Next time you’re tempted to add something to your cart, channel your inner personal shopper and ask yourself:
“Will I wear this at least 30 times?”
If the answer is “probably not,” then step away from the checkout page. No judgment—we’ve all been seduced by trendy pieces that look cute online but never see the light of day. But if it doesn’t pass the 30-wear test, it’s not worth your hard-earned cash.
Can it be dressed up or down?
Think versatility. A satin skirt that you can pair with sneakers for errands and heels for date night? A chunky cardigan that’s cozy for Netflix marathons but polished enough for running errands? These are the real wardrobe MVPs.
Photo by : Kaboompics.com
Can it work across seasons?
A good chunky cardigan that layers under a coat in winter and acts as a light jacket in spring is a multitasking miracle. Pieces like this are the reason cost-per-wear exists.
Step 3: Make Tracking Simple
If tracking what you wear sounds like a task for Type A personalities only, think again. That’s where tools like the Cost-Per-Wear Spreadsheet come in.
It’s as simple as logging your purchases, jotting down how often you wear them, and watching the math work its magic. Suddenly, you know exactly which items are worth every penny and which ones are just freeloaders in your closet. And honestly? It feels kind of empowering to know you’ve nailed the art of smart shopping.
