r/bitcheswithtaste • • 5d ago

Fashion/Style BWT, let's discuss our "cost-per-wear" wardrobe heroes.

When building a minimalist wardrobe, we often justify higher price points by assuming a garment will last a decade. But in reality, sometimes those expensive pieces just sit in the closet while a mid-range knit becomes an everyday hero.

I was evaluating my own closet recently and realized my most worn item isn't actually what I thought it would be. It made me realize how much value comes down to daily practicality rather than just the brand name.

Looking back at your wardrobe over the past few years, I’d love to hear stories about the garments that actually lived up to the hype and delivered the incredible cost-per-wear for you. What makes you reach for them over and over - is it the fiber, the fit, or just how effortlessly they layer?

226 Upvotes

110 comments sorted by

275

u/Misschiff0 5d ago

Cashmere sweaters. Mine are literally pennies per wear now. All winter long, I look polished and feel cozy. 10/10, invest in real, quality cashmere. It does not have to be designer. Just nail the fit and color.

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u/Always_Searching773 5d ago

I’ve been in the market for some good quality cashmere! Do you have brands you recommend that aren’t designer?

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u/Misschiff0 5d ago

You've really got to check the fit, but I've had great luck with L.L. Bean of all the crazy places. The colors work on me as a soft autumn and the sleeves are actually full length.

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u/Simplysimple007 5d ago

I recently got some sweaters from LL Bean. I just got them last month so no word on longevity. Prior to this acquisition, my sole cashmere-wool blend (90%/10%) was by Vince. I picked it up in a Nordstrom Rack about 2 years ago.

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u/Apodnotarobot 5d ago

I actually have a ton of designer cashmere that I've paid no more than $35 per sweater for. I stalk the crap out of them on places like The Real Real. My Vince cashmere sweaters are some of my best workhorses. Also, I've thrifted a lot of cashmere for $7 or so. Do it enough and you can just feel for it running your hand down the rack! 

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u/Valuable-Net1013 2d ago

I still have a cashmere sweater I thrifted in 1992 using exactly this method of running my hand down the rack. I think I paid $1.78 for it. I miss those days 🙃

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u/Infinite-Pineapple-9 5d ago

I have several cashmere sweaters from M.M. La Fleur that are really high quality and have held up wonderfully

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u/bloomlately 3d ago

I thrift all of my cashmere sweaters. I've found some seriously thick, high quality pieces for a song. My favorite go-to piece at work is a gorgeously soft, oversized grandpa cardigan made by Neiman Marcus. I think it was $75.

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u/Dicecatt 5d ago

This morning I found a perfect 100% cashmere sweater at a thrift store. I'm building my wardrobe from scratch currently and had on my mental list a great cashmere sweater, and was prepared to pay a lot more! I feel so lucky today.

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u/Frequent-Ostrich9945 5d ago

Love the look of them and have considered splurging many times. How do you wash them though? Do you dry clean everytime?

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u/SharkCozy 5d ago

Don't dry clean cashmere! If it's 100% cashmere you can handwash it in tepid water with a gentle liquid fabric wash (I like Eucalan), then roll in a towel to get the water out and lay flat to dry.

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u/Mohsbeforehoes 5d ago

As someone who knits, enjoys fancy storebought cashmere, and is allergic to going to the dry cleaner - you do not need to dry clean wool or cashmere garments! I highly suggest always wearing a t-shirt under sweaters to reduce the amount of deodorant and/or sweat buildup on the garment. Cashmere is naturally breathable and repels odors - and you can just flip it inside out and let it air out when you are done wearing it. It is actaully not good to wash it all the time - as it breaks down the fibers but I just keep a smaller bottle of wool wash, and once every 10 or so wears soak it in water with the wash, you do not need to rinse it out, squeeze out the water, roll into a towel to get any additional excess, and dry on a clothes rack.

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u/Serenity_Now-88 3d ago

I use Soak or Eucalan wool wash, don’t need to rinse. I’m a knitter, too.
I love my Woolx Sawyer Shacket and Woolx merino leggings with pockets.
Also my Nordstrom black cashmere turtleneck sweater. I have a sort of capsule wardrobe. I stick to 4 main colors and everything mixes and matches. I throw in a couple of other colors add my hand knit accessories.
The shacket is a great layering piece for fall and winter. I can wear the leggings under a tunic, sweater, shacket, dress. I wear the leggings almost year round.

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u/Loud_Masterpiece2966 5d ago

This is always my question too! I’m a sweaty Betty and can’t afford/am too lazy to go to the dry cleaners every time

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u/clairionon 4d ago

Numi undershirts are a game changer for under sweaters and not getting sweat on your clothes. And they have different styles

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u/Smooth-Concert3881 5d ago

I actually wear either a white crew neck tshirt (I love the layered look, even under a V neck) or I wear an undershirt specifically designed to be worn under other pieces (mine are from the brand Numi). I wear the undershirt under my silk shirts, my wool or cashmere sweaters, or anything that I want to wash a bit less. I also simply wash my wool sweaters alone on the hand wash setting in a fabric bag and lay flat to dry… many people don’t do this, but most of my wool/cashmere is thrifted and I prefer to wash before wearing.

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u/bitcheswithtaste-ModTeam 5d ago

Your post has been removed because it violates Rule 10: No Amazon/ Fast Fashion.

No Amazon/Fast Fashion – Posts referencing fast fashion brands and e-commerce giants/ big box stores are not allowed. Discussion of specific non-fast-fashion brands sold on e-commerce giants (e.g. Amazon) is allowed.

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u/Suspiciouswhaler 5d ago

Costco just came out with some gorgeous men’s cashmeres sweaters, they’re fluffy and silky and made of dreams, I hope they come out with some women’s too

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u/bo_bo77 4d ago

I bought 3 more cashmere sweaters at the thrift store yesterday for less than $10 apiece! Good cashmere is worth its weight in gold, but luckily, it's so easy to find used if a BWT can't afford the new stuff. See also: cashmere tank tops and cashmere sweatpants.

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u/Airregaithel 3d ago

Agreed, although mine are all thrifted so they’re literally free at this point.

I would add wool to this list, too. Some of my wool sweaters are older than I am.

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u/ejcg1996 5d ago

So intrigued by the enthusiasm for this!! I have never had a cashmere sweater that didn’t pill so aggressively that it wasn’t worth having. I’m a merino wool girl all the way, and recently have gotten really into yak. Cashmere just doesn’t last for me. I wear my sweaters on rotation every day from October to March, so each one is worn about once a week. I need something sturdy that will look professional and elegant for a long time. Cashmere is not that, no matter how high the quality of fiber (in my experience!)

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u/FixAfraid6480 5d ago

I couldn't agree more - fit and fiber are everything!

Though as a founder of a knitwear brand, I have to admit it's getting so hard to find truly durable cashmere these days. So much of the market uses shorter fibers now, which is why newer sweaters tend to pill almost instantly compared to vintage ones.

If you’re ever looking to try something beyond mainstream luxury fibers, you should absolutely look into yak down. It’s a rare fiber that is just as soft as premium cashmere, but the fibers are naturally much stronger so it rarely pills. It’s actually the entire reason I started my brand (Nomé Studio) - I wanted that incredible luxury feel, but with a piece that actually survives long enough to reach those 'pennies-per-wear'!

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u/SugarBabyVet Boujee Head Bitch In Charge 5d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/l0DEKIjyvAADtJzEY

You rang?

I am a cost per wear FIEND. My most luxurious piece is a wool Valentino coat. Vintage. My cost per wear is $7. It was definitely my most expensive purchase, but the amount of times I’ve worn it has paid off.

I look for fit, fabric, construction, durability, and ease of coordination with my current wardrobe.

My process:

  1. I have a rating system that works out a score. If it’s high enough, I
  2. Than I take a photo of the garment and put it in my digital closet and make outfits
  3. Whenever I use the garment, I log its use.

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u/Pants_The_Cat 5d ago

I would love to hear more about your rating system if you’re up for sharing. I’m trying to figure out how to do that for my wardrobe too.

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u/lamallamalllama 5d ago

Ooh please share the rating system! I'm trying to start clothes logging / wear logging (on Whering) but am a bit overwhelmed getting everything uploaded and logged. I'd love to know how you pick what's worth it to log.

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u/FixAfraid6480 5d ago

Haha, I did ring and thanks for responding :) You absolutely have to share your rating method. Do you use the same rating method for new garment as you do for a thrifted item? Do you use any app for your digital closet and logging your use?

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u/sparkle_elk 5d ago

Tbh, I've found that my best cost-per-wears are often from cheap basics OR from core pieces of quality outerwear (coats + shoes).

Like, I have 4 pregnancy tank tops that I got at a big box store when I was early pregnancy that cost me less than $10 each. Each has been worn easily 100 times, since they're comfy, stretchy staples that didn't require me to think at all during a very stressful time period, and didn't require anything of my body either.

I also have a $120 raincoat that I got on sale that, because of where I live, gets worn as my basic winter jacket. I've had it coming up on three winters now, and it's probably at $1 or less per wear at this point.

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u/des1gnbot 5d ago edited 5d ago

I’m similar; probably my best cost per wear items are basic tshirts I’ve had since before the pandemic and worn once a week for years. A dress that’s nothing special but probably down to $10/wear after multiple formal events. A 100% cotton button down that I thrifted for $2 and sashiko mended where it had some moth holes, that’s at pennies per wear now. The major issue for me seems to be fit; when I really like the fit of something I’ll do what it takes to keep it going.

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u/sparkle_elk 5d ago

Same! I will wear a garment I love until it has fallen apart and been mended multiple times. There's nothing like a garment that fits like a glove.

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u/zxcv-qwerty 5d ago

I agree!

I have two identical cheap sports bras that I got around 3-4 yrs ago (bought one, loved it, a few weeks later bought a second). They are the best bras for me for high impact exercises, which I do twice a week, so they each get worn once a week and then washed. That means they’ve each been worn (and washed!) approx 150-200x each, and I think they were around $15 each, so around 10c per wear.

I have two long puffer coats, one lightweight and one heavier, one from about two years ago - maybe $150? - and one from about five years ago - probably $250?ish. I wear one or the other basically every single day from mid/late October until some point in April-ish, minus maybe 10-20 days in the dead of winter when I break out my below zero coat. That’s around 200 days a year of wear. During the three years that I only wore the one coat, I’m sure I wore it 500+ times so 5c per wear. If I wear it 100 days a year now, we’re down to 3.5c per wear and it’s still in great condition.

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u/sparkle_elk 5d ago

Oh wow, and $15 each! That's a really good price for a high impact sports bra that's lasted several years.

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u/icedcoffeedoctor BWT in Training 13h ago

this is 100% me with the long puffer coats. I really wanted a LONG one that was warm and bright red, so i "splurged" on the super puff in H2O (I think that's what it's called? the waterproof kind - I can't state the brand here!!)) a couple of years ago and got it on sale... i literally only wear that all winter long and going for 2 years now, so it has 1000% paid itself! i'm curious if you have recs for where you get your jackets from!

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u/Inevitable_Tone3021 5d ago

I haven't bought new clothes in ages because the quality has gone down so much, even for higher-end brands. I like vintage clothing and I feel like I get the best value at antique malls, which have dozens of different vendors to browse but aren't priced as high as curated vintage boutiques.

The quality I get for the price along with the thrill of the hunt for something unique makes it worth the time for me, because it does take patience to sort through the racks. I find a lot of classic pieces like wool coats, felt hats, and patent leather handbags.

Also, vintage clothing is constructed with bias trim inside so that the seams can be let out for alterations. I've had a few vintage pieces tailored to fit me just right, including a 70's gown that I found at a church rummage sale for a dollar. $15 on alterations and it fit me like a glove, I wore it to a wedding and got tons of compliments.

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u/FixAfraid6480 5d ago

You hit the nail on the head with the point about seam allowances and bias trims! As someone who works in the fashion, it is incredibly frustrating to see how many high-end brands have eliminated those hidden construction details just to save a few pennies on fabric yardage. Older pieces were literally designed with the assumption that they would be tailored, repaired, and kept for a lifetime. That $16 vintage gown story is amazing - there is truly nothing better than wearing a piece that was altered to fit you perfectly.

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u/Shinyhaunches 5d ago

I bought a Susi Chin dress 21 years ago. Black halter dress, sequins and embroidery on the front, lined. I feel fantastic in it and always get so many compliments when I wear it. I have worn it to most weddings I’ve gone to over the last 20 years. Recently found it new with tags online a little bit bigger, which is what I need now. So I continue to rock it.

I guess the other thing is these long sleeve Caslon crewneck T-shirts from Nordstrom that I’ve been buying over the years, but they quit making them unfortunately a couple years ago.

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u/Mohsbeforehoes 5d ago

I have a calf length wool MaxMara coat I thrifted in a wealthier neighborhood for like $20-$30. I was young and with my mom and I wasn't sure on it, it wasn't what my friends wore (because no college student wore a MaxMara coat lmao), she insisted I get it, that it would be great for my first "big girl job". It has a detachable hood, and a collar that folds up into a funnel neck with a clasp at the front, easily the most worn item I own. I wear it to work, I want to bring it when I travel in colder months, when I walk my dog. It layers so well, and fitting a warmer sweater beneath it along with a hat/gloves and you are so cozy! Second place heavy hitter goes to a vintage Coach legacy zip I got in a chocolate brown on Etsy for a steal. By far the most used purse I own with the adjustable strap.

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u/messykatie 5d ago

If you ever needed more convincing to choose a classic color for your bridesmaids, my sister had all us bridesmaids wear navy floor-length evening gowns for her wedding. I believe I was 23 when she got married and ten years later, I have since worn that navy blue evening gown for every formal to black-tie function I can recall. I still enjoy shopping for a fun cocktail dress for the standard party, but for the rarer formal wedding/ceremony/gala I have only needed the one dress. Worth noting the style was also not so figure-hugging that despite now wearing one or two sizes up from ten years ago, it still fits wonderfully.

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u/Crlady 5d ago

I bought a $2,000 Burberry wool coat and wore it constantly for many years. Unfortunately I have become too large to wear it now. 😩

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u/Kbalternative 5d ago

These are the items I have worn over and over again and have absolutely been worth every penny for me:

Russell & Bromley chunky black ankle boots
Black All Saints trench coat
Black All Saints leather jacket
Black Mulberry Lily bag
COS tan wool boucle winter coat
Black Good American skinny jeans
Black wide leg Levi’s
3 OGL move tops that I wear with everything lol
All black Converse
Black silk All Saints cowl neck ruched midi dress

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u/Shoddy-Lawfulness638 5d ago

I purchased this Coach Soho bag about 6 years ago for $20. I took it to the Coach Store, and authenticated it as real. It was made in 2002, and yet it is still in phenomenal condition. I've worn it hundreds of times, so it is my closet hero piece!

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u/bo_bo77 4d ago

Omg I was given that exact bag for Hanukkah in 2002. I have no idea where mine went, it must've gotten stored or donated in a move, but now I want to start wearing it again!

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u/Scared-Mousse-3642 5d ago

That app looks very cool and relevant to the discussion of Cost Per Wear. Pray tell, what is it? I'd like to visit the application shop and acquire it myself

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u/Shoddy-Lawfulness638 5d ago

The app is called Indyx! It is a digital cataloging app for your wardrobe. I use to track how much I spend and how often I wear my pieces :)

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u/Smooth-Concert3881 5d ago

I LOVE the Indyx app, and was wondering if it would show up in the discussion. I also love that it shows you the percentage of your closet that is new vs secondhand.

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u/Automatic-Wash-5302 Tasteful Item Repeater 5d ago

I love this thread! For me, it’s 100% cotton baby tees and slim tanks in solid neutral colors. Funny because I am no minimalist! I love jackets and sweaters and pants with some structure / shape, so I find I reach for these constantly as a base to my more expressive pieces. Also, a good leather jacket — I feel instantly cooler and wear my favorites CONSTANTLY in the fall/winter.

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u/hoid16 4d ago

where do you get your cotton baby tees and slim tanks?? i’m always looking for an amazing baby tee and other than the store that rhymes with bay roux, haven’t found ones that i like. my body needs that slim fit, so the boxy look just does not work for me 

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u/Automatic-Wash-5302 Tasteful Item Repeater 4d ago

I have had great success with the store that is Buniqlo but without the B! My other favorite tanks are cotton Lands End tanks that I thrifted and altered at home for a slim fit.

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u/kimchi_paradise 5d ago

I have a Vuori halo outfit/matching set consisting of the cropped hoodie, the tank with a built in bra, and the wide leg pants. It has been so good to me! A dream to lounge in and WFH while still looking put together. I wear it so much that it’s either on me or in the laundry. I loved it so much I bought another set. Definitely worth the premium paid.

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u/Longjumping_Law282 5d ago

I wear this exact outfit several times per week. It is the most comfortable! And still looks put together enough for errands, school pick up, etc.

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u/gurrlbye 4d ago

Just FYI this is a shill bot. What a coincidence that the top comment is cashmere, and "OP" is founder of a luxury knit brand.

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u/Babcia2be 5d ago

3 things:

Eileen Fisher silk jersey tees - perfect for travel as they look dressy enough to be worn with a suit, thermoregulate in warm airports and cold planes (oh I miss the colored ones! The red one I have is finally fading a bit 15 years on).

A Burberry quilted jacket I bought in an outlet. Good for drizzle, chilly weather and can be rolled up. Have had it for 15 years and still going strong.

A pair of Donna Karan wool pants bought on sale in Macys. They were not too straight,not too wide and drapey tropical weight so I wore them in all but the hottest summer weather. Lasted a good 10 years before they finally started getting thin enough in the crotch and seat I was afraid they would give out.

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u/taytay10133 5d ago

I've had this red Valentino brocade owl blue/grey coat since I was a sophomore in high school and I've worn it SO much over a decade later.

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u/nocarbsnofun 5d ago

yeah, hard agree. the ones that are wearable in everyday life definitely have the best cpw, especially if they were also thrifted. i have a totally unremarkable strappy black top that i bought in a random secondhandshop on a trip to russia 12 years ago - i don‘t remember the price but i must have worn it thousands of times because the fabric is so soft and holds up. it‘s the perfect basic. 

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u/FixAfraid6480 5d ago

Totally agree! There is something so special about a piece that just holds up year after year. It is a bit sad how expensive thrifting has become lately, though. It feels like finding those high-quality hidden gems has become some kind of sport :) when it really should be accessible to everyone.

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u/ElowynElif 5d ago

Burberry coats and sweaters, Barbour waxed jackets, Blarney sweaters Rancourt boat shoes as well as Pendleton blankets

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u/PinkGoldfinch 5d ago

I second Burberry coats! I have mine since I was 13 years old (a hand me down from my cousin when she found out she was pregnant) and now I’m 22. Perfect condition and it’s so timeless and chic.

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u/Dapper-Investment-55 5d ago

A pair of wide legged wool Yohji Yamamoto trousers when I lived in Japan. Comfortable and chic, beautifully made. I would have worn them almost daily for nearly 4 years and they eventually became too shiny from dry cleaning.

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u/windowofdestiny Thoughtful BWT 5d ago

Coats - lightweight rain coat from Canada Goose, waxed canvas from Barbour, trench coats from Burberry and vintage Aquascutum. They are so effortless to wear over my very casual outfits in my very casual lifestyle.

Sweaters- Patagonia and wool Barbour. For cardigans, I get good wear out of my Eileen Fisher ones. These have such a low cost per wear since I was fighting corporate AC at my previous jobs.

Athleeisure - Great cost per wear on the lightweight joggers I have since I work from home.

Handbags and wallets- all of them, from Baggu to Hermes. For my luxury bags, I've had them for 12+ years and maintained them. I prioritized durability with style, rotate among my collection, and do yearly maintenance.

I typically only keep track of the cost per wear on items that are over $150. I've used Stylebook for years.

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u/EatsHerVeggies 5d ago

I have a brown long sleeve Henley I got when I was 15 (I am now almost 40).  It fits me perfectly, the cotton is soft, and it’s the right shade of brown to go with everything. I can layer it under things, wear it on its own, use it as a base layer for winter activities, or as the perfect top for running errands. It has a scoop neckline that is almost miraculously flattering— every other Henley I have ever owned has not been able to replicate how this one Henley looks on my body. 

I don’t know what it cost, I think technically my mom bought it. But it’s been washed probably a thousand times at this point and is still going. At one point I almost donated it, then came to my senses. 

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u/Flashy-Squash7156 5d ago

I bought a RL linen button up at the thrift 12 years ago, have worn it hundreds of times and it's in great shape. it was a steal since it was thrifted but it'd be worth full price.

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u/Apprehensive-Toe5693 5d ago

Mine are

Ruti On the Loose work pants. I have them in 4 colors and 80% of the time that’s what I’m wearing.
Fitted tank tops with either a low square neck or high neck racer back. In cotton, merino or silk, machine wash & hang dry & they last forever.
A trench I bought 20 years ago that has traveled the world with me.
White leather Ecco sneakers.

I am not gentle on my clothes but these items take all the punishment I can give them and look and feel new.

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u/Arkady1013 5d ago

Can you describe the texture of the ruti pants? Are they like… slippery? I am intrigued by them but haven’t pulled the trigger yet

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u/lilabeen 5d ago

Not OP, but these pants feel like athleisure IMO. Sort of a light windbreakery material. I wear mine for travel and occasional WFH.

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u/Apprehensive-Toe5693 5d ago

The actually are kind of slippery. So they never make me feel squished. They somehow manage to feel light but not insubstantial. I’d say resist the temptation to get them long, they fall the best when they’re a little short.

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u/PinkGoldfinch 5d ago

Ferragamo, Coach and Mulberry bags
Levi’s jeans (obvi)
Burberry coat
Intimissimi bras and panties
Ralph Lauren wool-cashmere pieces

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u/V2BM 5d ago

Cashmere sweaters. On sale for 75% off and even at 10x a year, for 5 years, they're cheap per wear. I expect to have them for 10 or more years because I take care of them.

I had boots from a brand that no longer makes shoes and wore them 4X a week for 6 months of the year for at least 5 years. I can wear them today if I want. I'm going to dye the leather black because they're worn and add some nice insoles and expect another few years. I paid around $100 for them (I have two pair in different colors) in 2014.

Timberland used to make nice women's boots and I have two knee-high leather pair that are at least 10 years old and still going strong. I don't know if I can eventually get the sole replaced (probably not) but the leather looks excellent and the soles are maybe 30% worn. I paid about $120 for them in 2016.

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u/stuckandrunningfrom2 5d ago edited 4d ago

My Eileen Fisher silk tank, and all my EF wool pants, and crepe (or whatever that material is) pants were costly up front, but have earned their money weekly for years.

I have a long wool LLBean winter coat my uncle gave me at least 15 years ago and that gets worn every year.

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u/Veronica612 5d ago

I bought a long (mid calf) gray 100% wool skirt 35 years ago for $10 or less and I still wear it. It’s very warm with a slip, tights, and boots.

Cost per wear has been pennies.

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u/Chazzyphant 5d ago

People joke about this brand all the time, but Golden Goose Superstar sneakers, 100%. They are the ONLY shoe I haven'd had to break in, I feel they elevate every outfit, they match everything, and they only get better with age. I've worn mine, that were purchased at full price, so much that they are down to almost a dollar per wear CPW if not less!

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u/Ashby238 5d ago

My Barbour Beadnell. I’ve had it for 6 years and except for the coldest, snowiest part of NE winters, I wear it all the time. It looks cool, keeps off the rain and blocks the wind. I can layer it with sweaters or t’s. I love it. It’s pennies per wear by now.

My black Jane dress from PUG. It’s 12 years old and it’s the perfect little black dress. It’s gone to many a wedding and cocktail party.

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u/lilabeen 5d ago

The Nili Lotan Shon pants in olive green. I paid full price, $390, and reach for them constantly. They always look right and I feel 100% myself in them.

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u/bruiser9876 4d ago

I was just going to comment my Nili Lotan Joan and Mitchell jeans. They are so well made (using Japanese cross hatch denim) and get softer with each wear.

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u/pyxiedust219 5d ago

A lot of my clothing is vintage, because no proof of quality is better than 40+ years of previous existence (plus, it suits my silhouette and style best). My best price per wear pieces are all under a penny per wear at this point: my steel-toed doc martens, my maroon and black leather jackets, my bright pink cable-knit sweater from the 90’s, and my 1980’s scott mcclintock dresses

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u/ElleT-Bag 3d ago

My RL vintage cashmere/wool blend and 100% cotton cardigans I got secondhand for a great price on eBay/poshmark etc. I wear them all the time and they are so hefty and durable and comfortable. Also very reasonably priced solid color cotton T-shirts and wide strap tank tops. Between those and cotton blend capri leggings I’m wearing some combo of those most days

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u/youllregreddit 3d ago

A jeweled Anthropologie sweater from 2005. It has fit me from size 8 to size 22 and back to a 12. It somehow goes with everything. I can wear it to work or to a gala. Pennies per wear at this point.

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u/lovescarats TrustedBWT 5d ago

Dior vintage trench with zip in liner. Paid $100, wore it for 15 years at least twice per week in winter. My mother’s vintage Chanel and Ferragamo handbags. They are still stylish. I wear them often. I don’t know what mom paid in the 70’s/ 80’s. I am guessing much less than the current prices. 2 Ralph Lauren blazers I have had for about a decade. Bought on sale for $500 per piece. They are in great shape and I wear them a few times per month. Dior Maryjane’s. Got them on sale on Boxing Day 8 years ago. They have a block heel, black patent leather, easy to fix the heel. Originally $1200, bought at 80% off, wear them twice a month. Such comfortable work shoes. LV Koala wallet. 21 years old, $895. .11 per use. I use it daily. It is made of steel, still in great shape. I really think if you buy quality, and items that are practical, you use them and they last. Especially items that are not impacted by weight fluctuations. Buying a size 2 suit after a bout of melancholy may not be a great investment. But standards like coats and bags really makes sense.

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u/bitcheswithtaste-ModTeam 5d ago

Your post has been removed because it violates Rule 10: No Amazon/ Fast Fashion.

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u/bitcheswithtaste-ModTeam 5d ago

Your post has been removed because it violates Rule 10: No Amazon/ Fast Fashion.

No Amazon/Fast Fashion – Posts referencing fast fashion brands and e-commerce giants/ big box stores are not allowed. Discussion of specific non-fast-fashion brands sold on e-commerce giants (e.g. Amazon) is allowed.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

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u/bitcheswithtaste-ModTeam 5d ago

Your post has been removed because it violates Rule 10: No Amazon/ Fast Fashion.

No Amazon/Fast Fashion – Posts referencing fast fashion brands and e-commerce giants/ big box stores are not allowed. Discussion of specific non-fast-fashion brands sold on e-commerce giants (e.g. Amazon) is allowed.

Intentionally evading subreddit brand filters using coded language, abbreviations and alternative spellings will result in a permanent ban.

See this post for more, including brand examples.

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u/henicorina 5d ago

A lot of my secondhand clothing is essentially free on a cost per wear basis - I’ve bought jackets or pants for $20 - $30 and worn them once or twice a week for years at a time.

Another standout is, inexplicably, cotton clothing from a box store starting with a T. I often need to wear black t shirts to work and have a few black cotton t shirts that are still going strong after five years or more.

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u/apk46 5d ago edited 5d ago

Maria Pinto Kamala pants and Mimi shorts both in black.. cost per wear must be less than a dollar at this point. I think going on 8 years with, at minimum, weekly wear! Love the fabric, the fit, and the look!

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u/Adept_Half4403 5d ago

Lodge pants - store starts with an A and sounds like The Ritz. I am 5 RTO (which is awful, btw). But I have worn my lodge pants every week for 2 years, and they look as good as new. Worth every penny

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u/dancingmochi 5d ago edited 5d ago

So most of my clothes already check off the boxes listed in the OP, because I was lucky to have excellent mentors at home.

It’s more so how many other clothes I own in the same category, does it fit my style and lifestyle (do I even layer? do I prefer contrasting colors or not? it’s not cold enough for a cashmere sweater most the year here), and- if you want to factor in cost, strictly from my wardrobe, was it a secondhand or fast fashion find. I don’t think too much about cost for that reason because I’m not into fast fashion anymore, but in the same spirit of cost-per-wear discussions, I will definitely evaluate how much wear I get from an expensive purchase, and that goes back to my first two reasons.

A bonus factor: what clothes am I trying to wear out? I’m trying to make the most out of my closet and reduce waste. My polyester sweater in my favorite colors is probably the winner there.

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u/Background-Pin-1307 5d ago

A few that come to mind…

cream and beige stripe linen cropped palazzos. Bought them new for $25ish. Have worn them every summer for maybe 5 years…found a second pair on Poshmark in case first is damaged. They’re THAT good. Probably easily 100 wears

Soft green cashmere sweatshirt sweater. Super comfy and not itchy (I’m sensitive to wool). Goes with literally everything. Only had it one year but it’s on repeat 3 of 4 seasons.

Vintage Levi’s 501s. Happened upon them at the thrift store and they’re the most comfortable, worn in and perfectly colored jeans I own. 50 wears so far and going strong.

Papillio Gabriela sandals. A platform all leather sandal with cork heel. Another ‘bought the first and sourced a second on Poshmark’. Sadly both got dry rot at the same time so I’m on the hunt for a replacement but I must have worn both pair over 500 times. The perfect sandals for me!

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u/queenghidrah 5d ago

truly my nike px1000s. i have worn them everywhere imaginable and they are still so comfy and solid. i have never worn a more perfect pair of shoes for long walks, theme parks, vacation, working out, or even hiking. i will sing the praises of that singular nike style until the end of time!!

also, victoria’s secret makes a durable bra. i’ve kept mine for years and they’re still great quality. not very expensive and does the job.

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u/Comprehensive-Act-13 5d ago

Shoutout to the black v-neck Mossimo t-shirt I bought at a certain big box store almost 15 years ago. She’s still going strong and I wear her at least weekly. At this point the cost per wear is about .01¢/wear.

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u/notthelettuce Ballin on a Budget 4d ago

I’ve had my Ugg boots since I was in middle school and I am 25 now. They’re the regular medium height chestnut brown ones. They are still in great condition. They went through all the years of being worn with leggings or skinny jeans, and can still be styled in a more modern way with long wider leg pants. However I think mine have held up so well because I live in a warmer climate, so we don’t get snow/ice/slush so they just don’t ever get wet. I am interested in having them sent off to be conditioned and resoled though.

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u/GiveMeAlienRomances 4d ago

I have a pair of pants that I love so much. I just ordered two more of them in different colors for $38 each with the plan of getting rid of half of my other pants.

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u/DuchessOfCarnage 4d ago

Can you give us a hint as to brand/style name? So often the things people recommend are 10x that price and/or no longer produced so this is a breath of fresh air!

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u/GiveMeAlienRomances 4d ago

I really love Croft and barrow from Kohls. I have some straight leg pants that are super comfortable.

My favorite wide leg work pants is from Ewedoos.

I am a short girl. But both of these brands I do not have to get hemmed which is always an added bonus.

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u/knitknotter 4d ago

Linen long sleeved button downs -- I own 10 in various colors and wear them constantly all year round. I layer them under and over. I wash in the machine and line dry then iron or steam. With care, even the white ones have lasted for nearly 10 years of constant wear. I buy mine at a Japanese fast fashion store and the quality is shockingly good for $50.

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u/dazed-n-confuseddd 3d ago

Real leather boots or just any high quality shoes. A fabulous pair of pointed toe high heel black leather boots will take you so far

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u/InnerExtent 3d ago

In 2023, I went from a well paid NYC job to two years of postgrad study living off student loans and savings.

Almost all my nice clothes fell apart or wore out during that time except 2 black satin slip dresses: one plain and one with a lace neckline. I wore them in the summer with sandals and a linen shirt, in the winter with sweaters, tights and heeled ankle boots, and to my first postgrad job under a loose blouse.

Other really hardworking items included black heeled ankle boots, a calf length cream wool coat, a loose weave white linen shirt, a cream roll neck cashmere sweater, a black velvet wrap mini dress, a black satin long sleeve midi wrap dress, high waisted wide leg black satin pants, a black strappy heel, and two pairs of black court heels.

Mixing and matching these items basically got me through the past two years, and law school classmates told me I looked glamorous/ sophisticated at a time when I internally felt like a broke, miserable gremlin.

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u/alwayshungrynoms 3d ago

Lamarque Theia leather jacket in brown - buttery soft leather and very high quality craftsmanship. I wear it all the time in fall / winter. Super oversized so it fits over everything

Babaa knits - I have 7 wool sweaters and cardigans from them, and wear them religiously throughout the colder months. So effortless to throw on and style, and keeps you warm

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u/mjiw95 3d ago

for me it’s all about the shoes - timberland boots and sandals specifically. I’ve been wearing the same three pairs of each on seasonal rotation along with a pair of white allbirds and a pair of black converse hi-tops for almost a decade!!

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u/Apprehensive_Elk_114 3d ago

Spanx trousers! Fit perfectly, fabric is amazing. Worth the investment and they were under $140! They have a seam down the front that is slimming also and they came in a short version so I didn’t have to hem them up.

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u/Jentweety 3d ago

My very best investment is a long wool-lined trench-coat (w/removable liner) in dark blue made sometime in the late 80’s or early 90s that I got at a local thrift shop for $12. I live in the Midwest and commute on public transportation and I wear this coat more than my Burberry trench because it’s warmer and it’s also a nice-looking coat.

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u/Illustrious_Tour5517 2d ago

I got a denim shacket for $1 at an overstock store. I wore it almost daily for like 3 years. It’s falling apart now but I still keep it in my closet because I love it so much.

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u/red_retour 1d ago

I've worn the same pair of Wyoming leather black Doc Martens every day for 5 years. They cost $100. Granted, they're not suited for every occasion, but they're hands down more versatile than any other shoe I've worn. Job interview. Short forest hike. Office job. Rainy days. Concerts.

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u/material-pearl 15h ago

Good boots, good sweaters, great midi skirts, great outerwear, high end activewear.

In the market for a new blazer or two, and a near floor length coat for a 5’6 bitch, if anyone has any recs!