Fast fashion tricks us into thinking clothes are cheap – but if they fall apart after a few wears, they actually cost us more over time. Enter cost per wear (CPW). This is a simple way to rethink clothing value and can help you reduce impulse buys, and make the most of your wardrobe.
The cost of clothing should not be measured by price only – how often you wear your clothes matters too
What is cost per wear?
CPW = cost of the item ÷ the number of times you’ve worn it
The more you wear something, the lower its ‘cost per wear’.
For example:
An R80 T-shirt that loses shape after four washes → R20 per wear
A R300 T-shirt worn twice a month for 3 years → R4.16 per wear
Hidden cost of fast fashion
Fast fashion seems cheap, but:
- Poor quality = replace more often = higher long term cost
- People buy more clothes now than 15 years ago – but wear them 40% less
- When clothes are designed to be disposable, it’s up to consumer to check for durability
“When garments are priced as cheaply as single-use items, it implies that our clothing is disposable.” – Fashion Revolution
What influences cost per wear?
CPW is valuable because it considers durability, as well as our relationship with clothing.
Durability determines how many times you can wear something. Style, fit, comfort, and sentimentality determine how many times you will wear something.
Investing in your wardrobe
Sustainable fashion is more expensive upfront, but can be cheaper in the long run. High quality clothes last longer, have a lower CPW, and reduce waste.
Ultimately, CPW is not about buying expensive clothes – it’s about buying wisely and using what you buy.
Decision fatigue
It can be really difficult to know if you’re doing the ‘right’ thing for the environment. There’s so much to consider – from ethics to carbon emissions to materials.
CPW has its limitations, but it’s a simple way of limiting your environmental impact without being frozen with indecision.
Where CPW doesn’t work
CPW is a great tool, but it has limits:
- It doesn’t consider environmental or social cost
- Some items, like occasionwear, have a naturally high CPW
- Not everyone has the privilege of spending more upfront for long term savings
- Don’t ‘girl math’ your way into unnecessary spending
Reducing your cost per wear
- Pay attention to what you wear regularly, and what you don’t
- Take care of your clothes
- Mend and repair broken items
- Buy versatile pieces
- Borrow or rent for special occasions
- Use Glamour’s online cost per wear calculator for estimating potential buys
- Track what you actually wear using apps like Indyx or Whering
Smarter shopping
Using CPW as a mindset can help:
- Reduce impulse buys
- Motivate you to wear what you have
- Build a wardrobe you’ll actually wear
- Save money in the long run
You don’t need a calculator to benefit from this – just a habit of thinking beyond the upfront price tag.
