Cost Per Wear
$1.28
Rating
Great Value
Total Wears
192
What you could sell it for when done (0 if none)
Laundry, dry cleaning, repairs averaged per wear
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Result
A $300 coat worn 12 times/month for 5 years gives 720 total wears. With $360 in care costs and $50 resale value, the true cost is $610, making it just $0.85 per wear—well below the $5 benchmark.
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A $120 dress worn once a month with $5 dry cleaning per wear costs $11.67 per wear over 18 months. The high CPW is driven by infrequent use and expensive care. Washing at home or wearing it more often would drastically improve the value.
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An $80 pair of jeans worn 15 times per month for 2 years achieves 360 wears. With minimal care costs, the CPW is under $0.50—one of the best values in any wardrobe.
A cost per wear under $5 is generally considered a good benchmark. Items under $1 per wear represent exceptional value, while anything over $10 per wear may signal a poor investment unless the item serves a specific or sentimental purpose.
| Item Type | Typical CPW | Average Wears |
|---|---|---|
| Basic T-Shirt ($25) | $0.25 | 100 |
| Quality Jeans ($120) | $0.60 | 200 |
| Winter Coat ($300) | $2.50 | 120 |
| Cocktail Dress ($200) | $10.00 | 20 |
Divide the total cost of the item (purchase price plus care costs minus resale value) by the total number of times you wear it. The formula is: CPW = (Purchase Price + Total Care Costs − Resale Value) ÷ Total Wears.
| Factor | $30 Fast Fashion Tee | $80 Quality Tee |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $30 | $80 |
| Expected Wears | 20 | 150 |
| Care Costs | $5 | $37.50 |
| Cost Per Wear | $1.75 | $0.78 |
Cost per wear is a helpful framework but has limitations. It favors basics over special-occasion pieces, does not account for joy or confidence a garment brings, and can justify buying too many "practical" items. Use it alongside other factors like sustainability, quality, and personal style.
Expensive designer items can have a lower cost per wear than cheap fast fashion if they last longer and get worn frequently. A $500 leather bag used daily for 5 years costs $0.27/use, while a $30 bag replaced every 6 months costs $0.16/use but creates more waste.
| Item | Price | Wears | CPW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Fashion Jacket | $50 | 15 | $3.33 |
| Quality Brand Jacket | $200 | 120 | $1.67 |
| Designer Jacket | $800 | 200 | $4.00 |
| Designer + Resale | $800 − $400 | 200 | $2.00 |
Include all recurring maintenance costs: home laundry ($0.25–$0.75 per load), dry cleaning ($3–$15 per garment), shoe resoling ($40–$100), tailoring and alterations, and any cleaning products. Average these over the number of wears.
The 30 wears rule, popularized by Livia Firth, suggests you should only buy a garment if you will wear it at least 30 times. This simple test prevents impulse purchases and reduces textile waste. If a $60 item gets 30 wears, that is a reasonable $2/wear.
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Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.