Does this scenario sound familiar? It's the end of season sales. You find yourself going crazy for all the ‘bargains’. The time is ticking before the sale ends, and staring at the red slashes across all the prices, you feel like a kid in a candy store. You then impulsively purchase multiple items that you end up wearing only a handful of times OR, worse still - never.
As consumers, we tend to associate cost with what we are paying for an item at checkout.
But think, it’s not really a bargain if you aren’t going to use it much, if at all.
If we switch up the narrative, consider that an item could be full price, but it's still a steal if you end up wearing the life out of it. And even better - over a good period of time.
What you pay vs. the actual cost
You generally value the cost of your items based on the initial outlay for them (this is the cost of purchase) – but what you should really understand is the cost per wear.
So how do we calculate the cost per wear?
The Cost Per Wear is the price paid for an item, divided by the amount of times the item is worn.
Let's look at two examples:
What This Means
An item that has a lower purchase cost does not necessarily mean it translates to costing less in the long run.
What ultimately determines how often you are going to wear the item is how much you love it, how well it fits into your lifestyle, your taste, and your wardrobe. Ask yourself: Does the item bring joy, empower you with confidence and make you feel good?
It's all about how often you're really going to use the item and how long it's going to last.
So, the more frequently you wear an item, and the longer it lasts in your wardrobe, the more worthwhile and timeless that piece really becomes.
That's the essence of cost per wear. Making intentional choices on items that are sustainable and that will stand the test of time. Next time you’re tempted by a sale, pause and consider if the items you’re eyeing will become beloved staples in your wardrobe, or, if they’ll just take up space.
Investing in pieces you truly love and will wear often can bring more satisfaction and value than chasing any bargain.
Happy shopping! And remember, it’s about quality and connection, not just the price tag.
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