Cost-per-wear is a simple way to judge the real value of a garment. Divide what you pay by how many times you expect to wear it – the lower the number, the better the investment. Use this calculator to cut through impulse purchases and build a wardrobe that earns its keep.
The calculation is most useful when you are choosing between a cheaper garment you might wear rarely and a more expensive piece you will reach for consistently. A £40 shirt worn twice costs £20 per wear. A £140 jacket worn 80 times costs £1.75 per wear. The numbers reframe what expensive means.
Sustainable fashion and cost-per-wear point in the same direction. Durable, well-made garments from natural fibres hold up to repeated wear and washing – and their cost-per-wear figure falls with every use. Fast fashion items typically reach their cost-per-wear peak within the first few wears, then deteriorate. Use this calculator before buying, not after.