How many times have you tried to justify the purchase of a garment by calculating the potential cost per wear? Cost Per Wear (CPW) - the price divided by the number of times you expect to wear it - is usually referenced as a guilty joke, but given that the average high street buy is only worn seven times, a little analysis is useful in helping us buy less and buy better.
We’ve worked out the annual CPW value for each garment here, but you should seek out clothes you’ll wear for years to come. Ask yourself not just if you’ll wear a piece, but when and how. If you want a wardrobe that works hard for you, CPW is the vehicle that will get you there - no guilt trip humour required.
Click here to see the calculator.
1. The earrings
Price
£145
Wears per year
WPY
250
Cost per wear
CPW
58p
These earrings can be a classic hoop by day and a bolder drop style by night. Gold-plated earrings, £145, Tilly Sveaas.
2. The necklace
Price
£260
Wears per year
WPY
275
Cost per wear
CPW
95p
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Delicate gold vermeil jewellery adds interest to your look, but is also lightweight and unobtrusive, so you don’t need to worry about taking it off at night. Gold vermeil necklace, £260, Otiumberg.
3. The blazer
Price
£386
Wears per year
WPY
75
Cost per wear
CPW
£5.15
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
A wool blazer in a neutral check will be more versatile than a black or navy one, as it can be worn with every other colour in your wardrobe. Wool blazer, £386, A.P.C.
4. The tee
Price
£12.90
Wears per year
WPY
200
Cost per wear
CPW
6p
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Every wardrobe needs a few plain white T-shirts. This one by Uniqlo has an easy-to-wear boxy fit and keeps its shape well too. Cotton T-shirt, £12.90, Uniqlo.
5. The crossbody bag
Price
£295
Wears per year
WPY
200
Cost per wear
CPW
£1.47
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Think of this red leather bag as fashion’s answer to a slick of lipstick – it has the potential to lend a bit of pep to almost anything. Carry it as a top-handle or a crossbody. Leather bag, £295, Coach.
6. The jeans
Price
£110
Wears per year
WPY
250
Cost per wear
CPW
44p
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
If you want to be sure that your jeans won’t date, choose the most timeless fit of them all. A dark-blue wash will be easy to dress up or down. 501 Original jeans, £110, Levi’s.
7. The hi-tops
Price
£80
Wears per year
WPY
175
Cost per wear
CPW
49p
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Converse All Star hi-tops are reliably durable and can be worn with jeans, trousers and dresses alike. This khaki hue is chic and a little unexpected. Canvas trainers, £80, Converse.
1. The wrap coat
Price
£350
Wears per year
WPY
150
Cost per wear
CPW
£2.33
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Green suits most skin tones, especially this vibrant emerald. The colour will never go out of style, so you can return to it year after year. Wool wrap coat, £350, Jigsaw.
2. The bangle
Price
£120
Wears per year
WPY
120
Cost per wear
CPW
£1
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Recycled precious metals have never looked so appealing. Wear this on its own or add to an arm party of artfully clashing bangles. 9ct gold bangle, £120, Lylie.
3. The knee boots
Price
£300
Wears per year
WPY
75
Cost per wear
CPW
£4
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
These flat, knee-high boots with a stretch shaft that’s forgiving on calves are an all-round winner. It’s worth the relative investment because you’ll want to wear them non-stop. Leather boots, £300, Bobbies.
4. The flowery dress
Price
£260
Wears per year
WPY
100
Cost per wear
CPW
£2.60
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
A lightweight floral midi-dress is a wardrobe staple. Chose one with a dark background so you can team it with black and wear it all year round. Viscose dress, £260, Lily & Lionel.
5. The shoulder bag
Price
£159
Cost per wear
CPW
79p
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
This bag is such a practical, roomy size, and the quality of leather, along with the sleek, minimalist shape, makes it look far more expensive than it actually is. Leather bag, £159, Arket.
1. The funnel-neck
Price
£295
Wears per year
WPY
75
Cost per wear
CPW
£3.93
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
A navy knit is more flattering than black for those with fair skin, and just as useful. This four-ply funnel- neck style is seriously cosy, too. Lambswool jumper, £295, &Daughter.
2. The earrings
Price
£195
Wears per year
WPY
150
Cost per wear
CPW
£1.30
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
The design of these cute hoop earrings was inspired by the coil of an old-school corded telephone. They hug the earlobe in the most beautiful way and can be both smart and casual. Sterling-silver earrings, £195, Completedworks.
3. The watch
Price
£1,730
Wears per year
WPY
365
Cost per wear
CPW
£4.74
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
The perfect everyday, do-it-all watch has a round face, an understated dial, and a stainless-steel case and strap. This one uses kinetic energy so there are no batteries to replace, and if regularly serviced, will last you a lifetime. Automatic watch, £1,730, Longines.
4. The skirt
Price
£165
Wears per year
WPY
52
Cost per wear
CPW
£3.17
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
This skirt can be worn all year round – just switch your winter boots and tights for bare legs and chunky sandals when the weather warms up. Recycled crepe skirt, £165, Me+Em.
5. The boots
Price
£335
Wears per year
WPY
100
Cost per wear
CPW
£3.35
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
These luxe hiking boots are a bestseller every year, and with good reason; you could walk for days in them. Take good care of them and they’ll take good care of you. Leather and suede boots, £335, Grenson.
6. The trench
Price
£675
Wears per year
WPY
92
Cost per wear
CPW
£7.33
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
The first rule when it comes to buying a trench coat is to make sure that it can actually keep you dry; this cotton-mix one will cope admirably with the British drizzle and looks sharp too. Water-repellent trench coat, £675, Kassl Editions.
1. The silk shirt
Price
£195
Wears per year
WPY
25
Cost per wear
CPW
£7.80
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
This is how to do evening glamour the grown-up way: no shapewear, no complicated straps, just the creamy drape of neutral silk – with maybe a glimpse of décolletage. Silk shirt, £195, Wyse.
2. The earrings
Price
£275
Wears per year
WPY
40
Cost per wear
CPW
£6.87
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
Deborah Blyth’s sculptural designs are a modern, elevated take on jewellery – and of course pearls reflect light in the most flattering way on the skin. Gold-plated and pearl earrings, £275, Deborah Blyth.
3. The evening bag
Price
£395
Wears per year
WPY
25
Cost per wear
CPW
£15.80
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
When all you need is your phone and a lipstick, a timeless evening bag is perfect – but with a strap, so you’re not forced to do the Champagne glass/clutch juggle when you’re offered a canapé. Velvet and pearl bag, £395, Anya Hindmarch.
4. The sandals
Price
£295
Wears per year
WPY
20
Cost per wear
CPW
£14.75
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
These platform heels look challenging, but the incline isn’t actually too steep. That, plus the chunky heel and ankle straps, makes them feel surprisingly secure to walk in. Leather platforms, £295, Aeyde.
5. The trousers
Price
£375
Wears per year
WPY
50
Cost per wear
CPW
£7.50
WPY: Wears per year | CPW: Cost per wear
A beautifully cut pair of dressy trousers will work far harder for you during the festive season than a party dress. These are seriously elegant and won’t date easily either. Wool stretch trousers, £375, Joseph.