Cost Per Wear Calculator

The "Boots Theory" of Wealth: Why a $500 Coat is Cheaper Than a $50 One

There is a famous passage in Terry Pratchett’s Men at Arms known as the "Sam Vimes 'Boots' Theory of Socio-Economic Unfairness."

It goes like this: A rich man buys a pair of $500 boots. They last for ten years. A poor man can only afford $50 boots. They leak after a season and must be replaced every year. After ten years, the poor man has spent $500 on boots and still has wet feet, while the rich man has spent the same amount and still has a great pair of boots.

This isn't just a story about poverty; it is the fundamental mathematical flaw in how most of us shop.

We are addicted to the Sticker Price. We see "$20" on a fast-fashion tag and our brain registers "Deal!" We see "$300" on a quality wool sweater and our brain registers "Expensive!"

But the sticker price is a lie. The only number that matters is the Cost Per Wear (CPW).

We built the Cost per wear calculator (above) to act as your financial stylist. It strips away the marketing noise and reveals the true value of your wardrobe, proving mathematically that "investing" in your closet is often cheaper than "filling" it.

What is Cost Per Wear?

Cost Per Wear is the ultimate metric for the smart consumer. It is a simple formula that changes everything:

$$\text{CPW} = \frac{\text{Total Cost of Item}}{\text{Number of Times Worn}}$$

The Fast Fashion Trap:

You buy a trendy synthetic top for $30. You wear it twice to a party. It shrinks in the wash. You throw it out.

• CPW: $15.00.

The Investment Piece:

You buy a structured blazer for $250. It fits perfectly. You wear it to work once a week for three years (156 wears).

• CPW: $1.60.

The "expensive" blazer is actually 90% cheaper than the "cheap" top.

How to Use the Calculator

This tool is designed to be used before you tap your card at the register.

Step 1: The Sticker Price (Tab 1)

Enter the price of the item.

• The "Hidden" Costs: Don't forget maintenance. Does that silk dress require dry cleaning ($15/visit)? Does that leather bag need conditioning? Enter the annual maintenance cost to see the Total Cost of Ownership.

Step 2: The Truth Serum (Tab 2)

Be honest. How often will you wear it?

• Daily: Watches, coats, boots, glasses. These are the workhorses.
• Weekly: Jeans, handbags, favorite sweaters.
• Special Occasion: This is where the math gets scary. That $800 wedding guest dress you wear twice? That’s $400 per wear. Is it worth it?

Step 3: The Asset Check (Tab 3)

This is for the luxury buyers.

• If you buy a Rolex, a Chanel bag, or a piece of archival designer clothing, it has a Resale Value.
• Enter the estimated resale price. The calculator deducts this from your cost.
• Example: Buy a bag for $2,000. Use it for 3 years. Sell it for $1,500. Your net cost is only $500. If you used it daily, your CPW is pennies.

The "Girl Math" vs. Real Math

Social media loves "Girl Math"—the joking justification of spending. "If I pay cash, it's free." "If I return something for $50 and buy something for $70, I only spent $20."

But Cost Per Wear is Real Math. It is the same logic businesses use to buy machinery (Amortization).

By adopting this mindset, you stop seeing clothing as a disposable consumable and start seeing it as a depreciating asset. It stops impulse buys dead in their tracks.

The Capsule Wardrobe Strategy

This calculator is the best friend of the minimalist. A "Capsule Wardrobe" consists of 30-40 high-quality, interchangeable items.

• Because you have fewer clothes, you wear each item more often.
• Because you wear them more often, the CPW plummets.
• Because the CPW is low, you can justify spending more on each individual item to ensure it lasts.

It is a virtuous cycle of higher quality, less waste, and better style.

The Verdict

Being stylish isn't about how much you spend; it's about how much value you extract from what you own.

Next time you are debating a purchase, don't ask "Can I afford this?" Ask "What is the Cost Per Wear?" Use the calculator above, run the numbers, and shop like an investor, not a consumer.