One of the few garments that genuinely improves with age. The arithmetic favours buying once and conditioning it.
The arithmetic
| The considered option | The cheap option | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $450 | $120 |
| Upkeep over its life | $80 | $0 |
| Realistic wears | 600 | 120 |
| Years of use | 12 | 2 |
| Cost per wear | $0.88 | $1.00 |
The more expensive option is the cheaper one to own, at $0.88 against $1.00 per wear — and that is before counting the inconvenience of replacing the cheap one every 2 years.
Where the wear count comes from
About 50 wears a year over twelve 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.