₹ Cost Per Wear Calculator
Is that ₹5000 kurta actually worth it? Calculate the real value of your wardrobe investments!
₹ Great Value
₹
COST PER WEAR
₹120
per wear
My Kurta
✅ Worth it! At ₹120 per wear, this is a smart purchase. You're getting excellent value from this piece!
Purchase Price
₹3,000
Initial cost
Expected Wears
30
Planned usage
Total Care Cost
₹600
Maintenance
₹ How Does It Compare?
Your Item
₹120
Basic T-shirt (₹500, 50 wears)
₹10
Quality Jeans (₹3000, 100 wears)
₹30
Lehenga (₹25000, 5 wears)
₹5,000
₹ Cost Breakdown
Base Cost per Wear
₹100
Care Cost per Wear
₹20
Total Investment
₹3,600
After 50 More Wears
₹57
📖 How to Use the Cost Per Wear Calculator
- Enter Item Name: Type what you're evaluating (e.g., "Winter Jacket", "Office Shoes", "Party Dress")
- Enter Price: Input the total cost including any alterations or accessories
- Select Category: Choose clothing type (Casual, Formal, Party Wear, etc.) to get realistic wear estimates
- Expected Wears: Calculator suggests typical usage, or enter your own estimate
- See Cost Per Wear: Instantly view ₹/wear with color-coded verdict (Green: Great deal, Red: Think twice)
₹ The Cost Per Wear Philosophy
Cost Per Wear (CPW) is a game-changing mindset for smart shopping. Instead of obsessing over price tags, focus on price per use. That ₹500 t-shirt worn 50 times (₹10/wear) beats a ₹2,000 party dress worn twice (₹1,000/wear)!
The CPW Formula
Cost Per Wear = Item Price ÷ Number of Times Worn
Good CPW Benchmarks (Indian Context)
- Excellent: ₹0-25/wear (everyday items, basics)
- Good: ₹25-50/wear (decent wardrobe staples)
- Acceptable: ₹50-100/wear (occasional wear, trendy items)
- Questionable: ₹100-200/wear (party wear, special occasions)
- Luxury: ₹200+/wear (statement pieces, rare events)
Real-World Examples
Case 1: The Expensive Basics Win
- ₹3,000 quality jeans × 200 wears = ₹15/wear ✅
- ₹800 cheap jeans × 20 wears = ₹40/wear ❌
Case 2: Fast Fashion Reality Check
- ₹1,200 Zara top × 3 wears (goes out of style) = ₹400/wear ❌
- ₹800 classic shirt × 50 wears = ₹16/wear ✅
When to Ignore CPW
CPW isn't everything! Exceptions:
- Weddings/Special Events: Some moments justify high CPW for confidence and photos
- Job Interviews: First impressions matter—invest strategically
- Emotional Value: That ₹5,000 concert t-shirt with memories? Priceless
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good cost per wear for jeans?
Aim for ₹15-30/wear. Quality jeans (₹2,000-4,000) should last 100-200 wears over 2-3 years. Cheap jeans (₹800) worn 20 times = ₹40/wear, worse value. Pro tip: Buy classic fits, not trendy cuts, for longer style life.
Should I buy expensive shoes or cheap ones?
Expensive IF daily use. ₹4,000 office shoes × 500 wears = ₹8/wear. ₹1,200 cheap shoes × 50 wears = ₹24/wear + foot pain. For occasional party heels, buy cheaper—you'll wear them 5-10 times max. Rule: Invest in what you wear daily, save on rare-use items.
Is fast fashion always bad value?
No! Fast fashion works for trendy pieces you'll wear 10-20 times this season (crop tops, bold prints). Just don't expect longevity. Bad value: Basic tees/jeans from fast fashion—buy quality classics instead. Good value: Statement pieces you'll discard next year anyway.
How many times should I wear something to "get my money's worth"?
30 times minimum for most items. The "30 Wears Rule": Before buying, ask "Will I wear this 30+ times?" If no, reconsider. This eliminates impulse buys and trend-chasing. Exception: Special occasion wear (aim for 5-10 wears).
Does cost per wear apply to accessories?
Absolutely! ₹10,000 leather bag used daily for 5 years (1,500 uses) = ₹6.67/use—incredible value. ₹3,000 trendy purse used 10 times = ₹300/use—terrible. Invest in timeless accessories (watches, bags, belts), save on trendy ones (statement jewelry, novelty bags).
Can I reduce cost per wear of existing clothes?
Yes! (1) Wear items more—that forgotten shirt in your closet? Style it differently. (2) Repair instead of replace—₹200 tailoring adds 50 more wears. (3) Sell/donate unworn items—recover some cost, reduce mental clutter. (4) Build a capsule wardrobe—30 pieces that mix-match infinitely.