To ask for your most pleasing cost per wear/use items?

[greenmarsupial]

When discussing an expensive purchase that I was considering making a while ago, a friend referred to it a good value if you looked at it as cost per wear.

I love this mindset and always think about things in these terms now. It also goes well with ‘buy cheap, buy twice’. I have a tendency (from my DM) to make do with the cheaper version and I love the shift in thinking.

For me- my smartwatch and my Kindle get used daily. I now buy slightly more expensive gym gear rather than the supermarket stuff. I do wear it around the house so I get my money’s worth!

Agree with a kindle, particularly considering how long they last.

Stellar saucepans, they'll outlive me. Much better than even the most expensive non stick pans.

My dressing gown Bought it as an end of line product on eBay years ago, still looks like new.

My Didrikson and Seasalt coats.

My swimming costume, I bought in a sale last winter. It's Fantasie brand, fits perfectly and looks very good when on, and was reduced to about £35 when I bought it
My lovely neighbour lets me use their pool, and I've been going every morning before work since May, so average cost per wear has been excellent value. I've been particular about rinsing it out in cold water, not spinning at high speed, and not drying in sunlight, so should be good for a couple more years too (private pool, lower chlorine also helps), it's barely faded.

A Brora cashmere zip up hooded cardigan. Got it in the sale, and it was still ridiculously expensive. But I probably wear it at least one hundred times a year. It's 4 years old now and still in great condition, so the cost per wear is pretty good.

All Saints Cargo leather jacket (I have a few but this has been the favourite for years)

Mulberry Mitzi black convertible tote thing, has more than earned its keep as the daily grab it and throw all my shit into it bag

Garmin Venu, my daily watch since about 2021, and its predecessor

Kindle Paperwhite which lasted 9 years before I replaced it in the prime sale abfew weeks ago

Sho water bottle and coffee cup, both used daily and get taken everywhere

Aeropress which has made every cup of coffee I have had at home for many years

Lakeland heated furry throw, if only I had bought it years ago

Lakeland heated airer, I live in Ireland where it rains about 350 days a year and not all my clothes can go in the dryer

Rolex. It’s absolutely bullet proof and the first watch I haven’t broken.

I have a black cashmere blend coat that is just the perfect shape on me - ankle length, full skirt so it swishes pleasingly, lovely fitted bodice. I spent what was for me at the time a fortune for it in approx 1997 and I still love and wear it regularly now. Its paid for itself many times over.
On a more daily basis, the very spendy but comfortable on my crap feet trainers. It is a bit like the Vimes boot theory (for Terry Pratchett fans) but I had previously spent accumulated far more on cheaper shoes that were never comfortable as I was avoiding spending the larger amount on ones which were going to be pain free

I bought a cream linen skirt about 20 years ago for £60 which felt really expensive as a student but I’ve worked it every summer and last winter discovered it also looks good in cold weather with knee high boots under it and a jumper on top

Kindle (over a decade old and it's still fine), Seasalt coat (10 yrs+), Fuji camera. Also anything I bought from Beauty Pie.

Definitely agree about Kindle, one of the best purchases I've made.

We bought a really good Robot Vacuum last year and it has been an absolute godsend. It was expensive but it gets used most days.

Appreciate it's not quite the same, but when I bought my house ten years ago I set up a home gym - cost over 1k so it felt very indulgent.
I've used it at least once a week, mainly 2-4 times a week, ever since.

Knives and decent trainers and leggings for the gym.

Smartwatch, and Apple phone, iPad and laptop, all linking together. The phone and laptop were reconditioned ones, and they've lasted well.
Fitflop sandals and trainers, Birkenstock boots - all more expensive than I would have liked, but if my feet are happy, I'm happy.

I paid £250 for a set of knives 30 years ago and I still use them everyday. I paid a similar price for a set of saucepans at the same time and would almost certainly still be using them if they were compatible with an induction hob.

Recycled cashmere jumpers, they look great and are so light, warm and comfy. They are a staple from autumn through to Spring. Sweaty Betty running leggings, I'm not sure the quality is what it once was, but I still have a pair from 5 years ago that are worn regularly either for a run, in the gym or for wearing around the house, they look as good as new. Agree with Kindle, had mine for years and it's used daily.

I agree with you on several of these

I have the Mulberry mitzy messenger it is bomb proof i think. I lusted after one for years but it was far too expensive for me then in 2013 i managed to buy one from cheshire oaks outlet and i have used this daily since 2013 and it still looks amazing

Heated throw also these are sooo good and so warm i have a dreamland one thats worth its weight in gold !

I bought a wax coated parka from Topshop over 20 years ago, it cost over £90 at the time which was probably the most I’ve ever spent on anything.

I wore that coat for 20 years every winter and never found a coat I loved as much. It finally ripped really badly and I felt like giving it a funeral service.

Luckily I managed to find the exact same one on Vinted in great condition for £7, so it still lives on 😂

Isabel Marant blouses. I’ve invested in about 5 and wear them to death

All Birds Breezers. Bought 2 pairs about 5 years ago and wear them all day every day when I’m at home. Chuck them in the washing machine every few weeks. They’re still going strong and have transformed my feet.

Alex & Co linen sleeveless blouse in cream with embroidered detail round all the edges, and a higher neck at the back. At least 20 years old, still looks like new, dresses up or down and ideal in current weather. Was v pricey and I thought twice at the time but so glad I bought it.

I’m really pleased to read this- we have just done the same and feel a bit queasy about the cost. I feel that with two adults and two young teens it will be good value in the long run.

Totally agree about the shoes- this is my sticking point at the moment. I waste so much money on rubbish shoes and should just invest in a couple of really decent pairs.

Boden cashmere cardigans purchased in the sale. The one I’m wearing today also came up in my Facebook memories this morning from 12 years ago. I usually wear it 3 times a week.

Without a doubt my top shop denim shorts that I have worn all summer since my twenties. They just fit so perfectly and I’ve never found any I prefer. I do have some from Zara now that are pretty close. But I’m wearing the top shop ones today!

@NapoleonsToe Stellar saucepans???? so many rave about them. I forked out on a whole set some yrs ago. They look no better than the Thomas Rossenthal pans I bought from Tesco that predated them nearly 10 yrs before.

My rainsisters coat. Very waterproof and so beautiful that I am regularly stopped in the street/shops etc about it. Been wearing it every day a coat is justifiable for over 2 years, which if we assume that's 200 days a year makes the cost per use c.50p. It still looks new.