What clothes cost per wear

Short answer: The price on the label does not say much. The interesting number is the price divided by the number of times you actually wear the piece before it is thrown out. That number tells you whether a purchase was good, and it can change the way you shop.

The maths is simple

Price divided by number of wears. A T-shirt costing 200 that is worn 100 times costs 2 per wear. The same T-shirt worn ten times costs 20 per wear. So it is not the price alone, but how much you wear a piece, that decides whether it was a good buy, see bamboo T-shirts for men.

Underwear is worn most often

Underwear and socks are worn several times a week and therefore have the lowest cost per wear. Even a piece that costs a little more quickly becomes cheap when it is worn that often. That is why it makes sense to choose something you like in exactly this part of your wardrobe, see bamboo underwear for men.

The most expensive is what you do not wear

A piece that hangs unworn has an infinitely high cost per wear, no matter what it cost. The same goes for bargains bought because they were cheap. What you actually put on again and again is often the simple pieces that others choose too, see bestsellers for men.

Durability counts too

How many times you can wear a piece also depends on how long it lasts. A piece that loses its shape after a few washes will not reach many wears, even if you would like it to. Wash gently, at a low temperature and inside out, and you get more wears from the same piece.

Think about how often you will wear it

Before you buy, ask yourself how often you will realistically wear the piece. Once a week, once a month, or only on special occasions? The answer makes it easier to judge whether the price is reasonable. An everyday piece can justify a higher price than one you rarely wear.

What fits gets worn

Clothes that fit well get worn more. A piece that pulls, itches or hangs wrong gets left behind, even if it was cheap. That is why fit is part of the maths. If you know your size and the cut you like, a new piece is more likely to end up with many wears.

Simple pieces stay in use longer

Simple colours and cuts combine with more, and they do not go out of fashion in the same way. That means more wears per piece, because they fit into many different situations. A piece with a bold print may be worn a lot for a while and then put away.

Use the maths in reverse

You can also apply the maths to what you already own. Look at your most worn pieces and think about what they cost per wear. That gives you a good picture of which kind of clothing actually works for you, and what is worth buying again once it wears out.

Frequently asked questions

How do you work out cost per wear

Divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear the piece before it wears out. The more times, the lower the cost per wear.

What has the lowest cost per wear

Underwear, socks and basic tops. They are worn the most and keep the cost down, even when they cost a little more in the shop.

Are more expensive clothes always cheaper per wear

No. That only applies if they last longer and are actually worn just as often. An expensive piece that hangs in the wardrobe never becomes cheap.