The idea
Cost per wear spreads the price of an item over the number of times you use it. A cheap item that falls apart quickly can cost more per use than a well-made one that lasts years.
The formula
Cost per wear = (price − resale value) ÷ number of uses + care cost per use
Number of uses = uses per month × 12 × years of use.
Worked example
Two winter coats:
| Coat A | Coat B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 | $40 |
| Uses per month | 6 | 6 |
| Years of use | 4 | 1 |
| Resale value | $20 | $0 |
| Total uses | 288 | 72 |
| Cost per wear | $0.35 | $0.56 |
- Coat A: ($120 − $20) ÷ 288 = $0.35 per wear.
- Coat B: $40 ÷ 72 = $0.56 per wear.
- Over coat A’s four years, buying coat B every year would cost about $60 more.
- Coat A needs 180 uses to beat coat B’s cost per wear; anything beyond that is pure saving.
What to include
- Realistic use: be honest. Clothes that feel special often get worn less than planned.
- Lifespan: check seams, materials and reviews. Shoes that can be resoled and coats that can be repaired last longer.
- Care costs: dry cleaning, shoe repair or reproofing a rain jacket add to every use.
- Resale value: quality brands often resell for 20 to 40% of their price on secondhand platforms.
Typical targets
Many people aim for under $1 per wear for everyday clothing and shoes. For special-purpose gear, such as ski equipment, a tuxedo or hiking boots, a higher figure can still be good value, especially compared with renting.
Beyond clothes
The same reasoning works for anything you use repeatedly: a coffee machine (cost per cup), a bike (cost per ride), a gym membership (cost per visit) or a power tool (cost per project). It is a simple way to compare a one-off purchase with renting or a cheaper alternative.
A note on sustainability
Fewer, longer-lasting purchases also reduce textile waste. The fashion industry produces a large share of global emissions and water use, so a low cost per wear is often good for the planet as well as the wallet.