Usually the best value in the whole wardrobe. 100% cotton denim substantially outlasts stretch blends, and the price gap is small.
The arithmetic
| The considered option | The cheap option | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 | $40 |
| Upkeep over its life | $20 | $0 |
| Realistic wears | 300 | 120 |
| Years of use | 4 | 1.5 |
| Cost per wear | $0.43 | $0.33 |
Here the cheaper option genuinely wins on cost per wear, at $0.33 against $0.43. This is one of the cases where spending more does not pay for itself.
Where the wear count comes from
Two or three wears a week for four years.
Run it on your own numbers
The price you would actually pay, after any discount.
Be honest. For most people an occasion dress is under 5, a winter coat is 80 or more.
Dry cleaning, resoling, alterations. Leave at zero if there is none.
Cost per wear
$4.00
$120 across 30 wears.
- To reach $5.00 per wear
- 24 wears
- To reach $1.00 per wear
- 120 wears
- To reach $0.50 per wear
- 240 wears
Cost per wear is a comparison tool, not an accounting one. It is most useful when weighing two specific options against each other — this coat against that coat — rather than as an absolute verdict on a purchase.