Cost Per Wear Calculator

The point is not to make every item as cheap as possible. The point is to understand whether a purchase is likely to become a real part of your life or stay expensive because it is rarely worn.

That means you should use realistic numbers. If you know a blazer will only come out for occasional meetings, do not model it like a weekly uniform. If you know sneakers will be used heavily, model that honestly too.

• Estimate wears based on your real routine, not your fantasy self.
• Add care cost when a piece needs dry cleaning, repairs, or premium maintenance.
• Subtract resale only if you would realistically resell it.
• Compare similar items against each other before buying another version.

The simplest formula is purchase price divided by total wears. A better wardrobe formula is net cost divided by total wears, because clothing value changes when care costs, repairs, tailoring, resale value, seasonality, and realistic lifespan are included.

That is why this calculator asks for care cost, resale value, expected lifespan, monthly wears, and seasonality. It turns a single price tag into a more useful wardrobe-value signal.

• Basic formula: purchase price divided by estimated total wears.
• Better formula: purchase price plus care costs minus resale value, divided by estimated total wears.
• Best use: compare similar items before buying and audit underused pieces after buying.

The best threshold depends on category. A coat can carry a higher cost per wear than a basic tee and still be a good purchase. Shoes and tailoring also work differently than basics.

The more important pattern is repeat use. A versatile item that works across several outfits usually beats a cheaper item that never gets worn.

• Excellent: the piece earns repeat use fast and lowers closet friction.
• Good: the piece supports several outfits and justifies its cost with real wear.
• Weak: the piece is too specific, hard to pair, or bought for a version of life that rarely happens.