How to Use the Cost Per Wear Calculator
Cost per wear (CPW) is simply the purchase price divided by how many times you wear the item over its lifetime. Enter the price, how often you wear it each week, and how many years you expect to keep it. The calculator shows your total wears, cost per wear, and a value rating. Use it before buying to predict long-term value, or after to evaluate what is in your wardrobe now.
Cost Per Wear Ratings
| Cost per wear | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1 | Excellent ✅ | Outstanding value |
| $1–3 | Good 👍 | Smart purchase |
| $3–5 | Average 😐 | Review how often you wear it |
| $5–10 | Low value ⚠️ | Wear it more or reconsider |
| Over $10 | Inefficient ❌ | Consider donating or reselling |
How to Lower Your Cost Per Wear
Wear it more often — the single most powerful lever. Style versatile pieces multiple ways (casual vs. dressed up) to increase weekly wears without buying more. Investing in high-quality basics that last 5+ years beats fast fashion that wears out in one season. Before any new purchase, run the numbers: a $150 quality item worn 3× per week for 4 years has a CPW of $0.24 — far better than a $30 item worn twice and forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator only factors in the purchase price. For high-maintenance items like suits, add estimated lifetime dry-cleaning costs to the purchase price before entering it for a more accurate CPW.
Absolutely. A $30 trendy shirt worn 5 times has a CPW of $6. A $200 classic coat worn 3× per week for 3 years has a CPW of $0.43. Price and value are very different things in clothing.
If you sell or donate the item, the net cost is lower. Subtract the resale value from the purchase price to get a more accurate CPW for high-resale items like designer pieces.