I am always trying to find ways to be a smarter shopper, whether it is shopping second hand, using browser extensions like honey, or evaluating cost per wear. At the start of the year I decided to look back at some of my all-time best purchases based on cost per wear. Hindsight is certainly 20/20. Oftentimes it is hard to predict which items you will reach for again and again versus the items that don’t really get their fair share of wear.
WHAT IS THE COST PER WEAR RULE?
Cost per wear is the simple idea of dividing the cost at which you bought an item by the number of times you have worn it. Once you figure out your ideal ‘cost per wear number’ you should apply this to all future purchases. For me it makes me think much more about how often I am going to wear something and if the cost is worth it. While I am not using EXACT science I thought it would be fun to take a peek into my closet and guesstimate which items have had the best cost per wear!
MY TOP TEN COST PER WEAR ITEMS
I guess it shouldn’t be too surprising, but many of the items that landed high on my personal cost per wear list were pretty big ticket items. These tend to be the pieces that I thought long and hard about buying and envisioned how easy they would be to mix and match with what I already owned. When purchasing these items I also thought about end use and how easily they would be worn day-to-day.
With that being said, there are also a handful of items on my cost per wear list that didn’t break the bank and even some impulsive, more budget friendly purchases! Even without lots of thought and higher ticket prices, these items have been worn again and again. Also note I cheated a bit. Don’t be mad, but I did include a couple of gifted items or items I received as gift. For these I know the sticker price and simply applied how many times I have worn them against this. Without further ado, these are the ten best cost per wear pieces right now in my closet…
NILI LOTAN JACKET // I originally bought a Nili Lotan jacket for my trip to Paris (see it here) and I loved the make and quality of it so much that I immediately bought this one when it hit stores. These jackets are the perfect finishing touch to both casual and dressy looks and they have become the true work horses in my closet!
DEMELLIER BAG // This DeMellier bag was such a love of mine that I decided to do a full post on it here. It is high quality, durable, and minimal, which makes it the perfect go-with-everything-everyday bag. Imay be going back for this size.
PRADA PLATFORM SHOES // My Prada platforms were an item that surprised me. When I bought them for the holiday party season I knew I would wear them, I just didn’t realize HOW OFTEN. They are so surprisingly comfortable and even more stunning in person.
AIRE SUNGLASSES // Having a more round/heart shaped face and a preference for oversized sunglasses it is often difficult to find shades that feel big enough for me. At only $40, these are by far my favorite aviators in my collection. I should also note these are probably neck and neck with my AIRE sunglasses.
POINTY COLLAR // This collar has been one of my favorite purchases recently, and according to clicks and conversions, yours as well! I keep finding new ways to wear it from season to season.
LONGINES MINI DOLCEVITA // Longines has been a long time favorite of mine and I am now partial to one of their newest watches: the Mini DolceVita. It is such a stunning timepiece and the size, shape and finish makes it elegant enough to dress up but still minimal enough to wear as my everyday piece.
GUCCI VINTAGE PIN // My husband gave this vintage pin to me as a gift years ago and it is still one of my most treasured items. You know I love a good blazer and this bad boy has been pinned to so many over the years.
CHANEL CAVIAR BLACK CLASSIC MEDIUM DOUBLE FLAP BAG // I hesitated to purchase this bag about four years ago. With all the price increases since, I am so glad that I did. I went back and forth on gold versus silver hardware and I am happy that I ultimately landed on the silver.
MOTHER TOMCAT DENIM // I don’t always post all of my denim looks, but if you are interested, there are quite a few in this post. MOTHER is one of my favorite denim brands and I currently own the tomcat jean in three washes – it is my most beloved denim style.
PACHAREE PEARL EARRINGS // Is there anything more chic than a pearl stud? I love how these earrings are timeless yet interesting, and slightly oversized. Of course they are now sold out, but you can see a similar pair that are still available here.
COST PER WEAR FORMULA
This cost per wear formula exercise was really fun to dive into and helps better inform my future purchases. This is not an exhaustive list and I am probably leaving some items out. Off the top of my head a few others that almost made the list are my Adidas gazelle shoes, my Savette bag, my Vineyard Vines cable cashmere sweaters and my Chanel vintage earrings.
What should I do next? My worst cost per wear items? ?
