Cost Per Wear

When you see the price tag, you may think the item of your desire is too expensive at first glance. However, consider how many times you might wear or use an object. Let’s talk about the handbag in these photos as an excellent example.

When I saw this Saffiano leather Calvin Klein bag at T.J.Maxx about four years ago, the color and the style captivated me. The name Saffiano comes from the crosshatch print pressed into the wax that coats the leather, making it water-resistant, if not waterproof. This handbag was my first purchase of a Saffiano item.

I have used this one more than any other bag in my collection, yet it is still in excellent condition.

My hesitation in making the purchase came when I saw the price tag. I had never spent more than $150 on a handbag in my life. My sister and I were browsing through the store after lunch one day, so I didn’t purchase it at that time. The register’s line was too long, and I didn’t want her to have to wait for me.

The little voice inside my head kept reminding me of that bag for the next couple of days. Now, I don’t know about you, but when that happens to me, I take it as a clear sign that the universe is telling me to do something. I’m glad I took action! The bag was still there waiting for me when I returned to the store. When I think back to the number of times I have carried this bag, it turns out to be one of the best fashion investments I ever made.

Let’s do the math. The original cost of $150 divided by 100 times used equals $1.50. (I know I have carried it way more than that, but for the sake of this exercise, we will use 100.) There is another bag in my collection with a purchase price of $35, but I have only carried it two times, which equals $17.50 per use, making it much more expensive thus far. I have become a devotee of the slow fashion movement in the past year, so I don’t buy anything now unless it is a well thought out investment that I know I will use for the long term. I have no interest in the latest’ It’ bag or shoes. I budget for and only purchase what I need and then plan to use it and love it for years to come. I have the same thoughts about home decor. The items surrounding me have been with me for many years, but they still bring me joy when I look at or use them.

My blazer is from Neiman Marcus Last Call. The jeans are by Liverpool Jeans Company. My first layer is a soft, warm white Covered Perfectly long sleeve top here. The white cotton shirt is from Everlane. The boots are from Antelope Shoes a couple of years ago. (Their website is here.) The scarf is old. I folded the scarf in a triangle, then rolled up the long edge until just a bit of the triangle remained and then draped it around my neck. The jacket holds the remaining small triangle shape firmly so that the scarf stays in place.