Image consultants help people look and feel better. They use a number of tools and techniques in their work: one is Cost Per Wear, which can be used by everyone to help make better choices about clothes and image. Making better choices means that it’s possible to spend less on clothes whilst still maintaining the same (or an improved) image.
Cost Per WearThe concept of Cost Per Wear allows clothes buyers to view every purchase in a different light, potentially adding up to significant savings on the overall cost of buying clothes and accessories.
How to Work Out Cost Per Wear
To determine Cost Per Wear take the cost of the item and divide it by the number of times the item has been worn or used. Items with a low cost per wear are good value.
- Example 1, a classic coat A classic coat, in a neutral color that fits well cost $320 and has been worn 5 days a week for one whole winter (four months of winter is 16 weeks). The coat has been worn 80 times so take the cost of the item ($320) and divide by the number of times worn (80) and the Cost Per Wear is $4.So far, it has cost $4 every time the coat is worn.If this coat is used for another winter, then the Cost Per Wear will go down to $2. $320 divided by number of times worn, which would be 160.
- Example 2, a bargain coat A coat bought in a sale fits well, is an unusual color and cost $60. The coat has been worn only five times in one whole winter. Take the cost of the item ($60) and divide by the number of times worn (5) and the Cost Per Wear is $12. So far, it has cost $12 every time the coat is worn.If this coat is used for another winter, then the Cost Per Wear will go down to $6. $60 divided by number of times worn, which would be 10.
The first coat – even though it cost more – has the lower Cost Per Wear. The second coat hasn’t been worn every day, so another coat must have been used too – working out the Cost Per Wear of all the coats used and then comparing that to the cost of the first coat will probably show that buying the more expensive coat actually works out at less total cost. The first coat has had more use so is a better investment.
Buying Clothes and Accessories
When shopping, work out the likely Cost Per Wear to see whether a bargain really is a bargain. Low Cost Per Wear means that it really is a bargain, whilst high Cost Per Wear means think carefully – it might still be worth buying, but it is not as likely to be good value as spending on something else that will be worn more frequently.
Cost Per Wear is an image consultancy tool that can be used by everyone to make better informed choices about what clothes and accessories to buy and can reduce overall costs.
Dawn Brewer - I have a portfolio career - as a writer, management consultant, instructor and coach - after twenty years in the corporate world. My ...
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