When debating on whether or not to buy a luxury purchase, how many times have you said (whether aloud or to yourself):
“Is it too expensive?”
but…
“I’ll wear it all the time.”
By asking this, you’re trying to calculate the cost per wear.
What is Cost Per Wear?
I’m not going to take you back to algebra class (even though that was my nerdy, happy place), but I’ll do some simple math that you can must apply BEFORE you impulse buy. It takes discipline, but I promise you’ll be much happier and confident with all items in your closet. I personally have fewer closet meltdowns than I used to!
Example: 2 years ago, sitting in a Charleston restaurant, a girl walked by in boots that I HAD to have – it was love at first sight. I politely stopped her and asked who makes them and, within a few online clicks, I realized Givenchy Shark boots were way out of my price range: how in the world could I justify paying $1850 for a pair of boots? (I cringe as I look at that price; I distinctly remember the phone call from my husband when he saw the AMEX charge)
* If you want to shop my look, check out some of the products I found below!
First and foremost, when shopping online for something specific, go to Shopstyle.com and search for the item. It gives you every option of where to buy, along with the price. If they’re cheaper at Saks vs. Neimans, for instance, you’ll obviously choose to purchase at the lower price. You can also choose to get a sale alert notification when it goes on sale. (see below)
Next, I head to theRealReal.com, a luxury online consignment store, where I buy a lot of my luxury items. You can filter items by “new with tags” and find the exact pair of Givenchy Shark Boots for half the cost. There are actually people that buy expensive things and decide 2 months later they don’t want them, but it’s past the return time frame.
(since this was a screenshot, you can’t see all 68 pairs of boots, but you get the gist)
They give you the option to filter “items with tags” – brand new / never worn, shoe size, etc. It also shows the retail price next to the sale price so you can further justify your purchase. I ended up paying under $1000 for the boots you see me wearing in these pics versus $2000 retail price.
Click HERE to get $25 off your first purchase plus more discount depending on their daily promo code.
How many times will I really wear them?
Fall/Winter season here in TX is sporadic, but let’s say September – March, for math’s sake. That’s 6 months, and I aimed to wear them once a week:
6 months = 24 weeks
24 times worn
$1000/24 = $41.66 each time I wear them (annually)
However, because I’ve worn them consistently for 2 years, it brings it down to $20.33 per wear.
I’m not saying every item in your closet should cost $20 every time you wear it, but that $1000 purse you wear every other day for a year is a lot cheaper than that. Make sense cents?
Furthermore, if find myself not wearing them as much as I originally thought, I head back to theRealReal to consign and re-coup (some of) the cost.
The bottom line is quality over quantity. Instead of filling up your closet with trendy things you may wear once or twice, spend your money on quality items that go the distance. I still shop Zara, but again, the cost per wear applies: Will I wear the $60 sequin top more than 3 times? Maybe, but probably not. That’s the same $20 cost per wear as my Givenchy boots!
Happy shopping!
Marcela says
I love these boots. It is true when you buy something and you really wear it, at the end of the day it is a really affordable 😀
Whitney Kutch says
Exactly!! Now if it just sits in the closet for the “once in a blue moon” occasion…. eh, not a great idea to spend the money.
Jasmin N says
I’m loving the fact that you’re calculating this whole cost/wear thing. I’ve never thought of that, though I don’t do a lot shopping. I only buy things if I really need them. Great post 🙂
Sami Summers says
This is incredibly informative. Now that I’ve gotten a little older I am trying to work in more expensive (and better quality) products that will hold their value longer. It’s a shame that I’ve waited so long to start buying better quality clothing instead of wasting money on cheaper stuff.
Whitney Kutch says
Sami I am right there with you! It wasn’t until I bought a luxury item and realized the difference of cost per wear that I wanted to invest in better pieces. Especially since it was going to be around a while!!
Brian Calkins says
Great topic and I totally agree! Spend less on trendy items you will not be wearing a year or two rather than designer. I invest in staple peices (jacket, footwear, belt, and watch) that will last me forever, at least for men. My thoughts on when you say “ I had to have it” are you should just get them, especially on sale. You will spend the next year looking for them and end up purchasing something similar you won’t be pleased with ending in a waste of time and money.
Whitney Kutch says
Brian I agree 100%. And if you go buy the knock off you will end up having to go look for it again soon.
Krisi says
I so remember that day in Charleston:). Great post and perspective!!!
Kari says
My husband taught me this idea a long time ago. I’m very frugal and talk myself out of buying things and this was his way of talking me into buying. Lol. I don’t know many husbands who do that, but he also knows when I buy something, I use it well. So smart to do this with designer stuff as well!
Phaytea's Pulse says
this is a nice way to think about cost per wear. if I must get a really expensive item, then it must be one I plan to really wear and not leave in the closet. lovely pictures
Hello Whitney says
Thanks! That’s exactly the right mentality, in my opinion. It helps me make the right choices about designer clothes.
Charlie | The Barefoot Angel says
I’m a huge Believer in cost-per-wear and I also operate a cost-per-compliment tally (you know when a girl tells you she loves the item or asks where it’S from) I give it bonus points for compliments… 🙂
Hello Whitney says
I love the idea of cost-per-compliment! Definitely should get bonus points <3
Nora says
That’s an excellent point, whitney! I’m a bit nerdy too but i’ve never even thought of calculating cost per wear. probably i’ll use this technique next time when i have to find a good reason to buy some out-my-range luxury goods. 😉
Hello Whitney says
It definitely helps you understand the value of a purchase and whether or not it’s worth it. Thanks for reading!