Cost per wear explained

Cost per wear (CPW) is purchase price divided by times worn. A $200 coat worn 100 times costs $2 per wear; a $40 top worn twice costs $20 per wear. Tracking CPW turns “expensive” into “value” — and exposes cheap mistakes.

Last updated August 1, 2026

Price ÷ wears

The cost-per-wear formula

16.5%

of 2023 retail sales were returned (NRF)

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The formula

CPW = Price ÷ Number of wears. Optionally include cleaning or tailoring. Update wears honestly — the metric is only useful if the log is real.

How to use CPW without becoming a spreadsheet hobbyist

Track high-ticket and high-guilt items first. Celebrate rising wears on quality pieces. Before buying, estimate expected wears for the next year. If the number is tiny, skip or rent.

FitCheck AI’s role

Wardrobe analytics can surface utilization and cost-per-wear style insights so you see neglected items and better purchase ROI without manual ledgers for every sock.

Frequently asked questions

What is a “good” cost per wear?

It depends on income and category. Compare within your wardrobe: prioritize lowering CPW on items you already bought by wearing them more before shopping again.

Ready to try FitCheck AI?

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