'Cost per wear' is not a new idea; the term gained recognition in the early 2000s when used in opposition to the rising wave of fast fashion. People were buying more cheap, mass-produced clothes, which became worn out more quickly due to low quality.

Cost per wear is simply a way of placing monetary value on a piece of clothing in relation to how many times it can be worn. It is a way to calculate the true cost of a garment.

Cost per wear is becoming adopted within the workwear and uniforms industry. In particular, cost per wear is a consideration for businesses to identify efficient ways to balance the cost, quality, sustainability factors of clothing.

What Businesses Get Wrong about the Cost of Uniforms

The decision to design and produce a custom uniform for your team comes with a big question about cost. 

Understandably, keeping the amount of spend as low as possible for uniforms is ideal - but here’s what most businesses fail to realise. 

Uniforms should be viewed as an investment, not just a functional expense. 

Choosing the cheapest route for uniform design will not see the benefits of a quality uniform realised - brand identity, team cohesion, professional credibility - but will also require more frequent replacement orders, resulting in higher long term costs.

How Is Cost per Wear Calculated for Uniforms?

A uniform's cost per wear is determined by the price of the uniform over the number of times it can be worn throughout the uniform's lifespan.

The lower a uniform’s cost per wear, the more valuable it is in terms of longevity and, by extension, quality. 

Let's examine the cost per wear of a high-quality synthetic polo tee priced at $25 against a lower-quality polo tee at $18.

From the comparison, it’s clear that while the lower quality polo tee is cheaper upfront, it also costs three times more per wear than the high quality polo tee. Taking into account the need for replacement orders once the lower-quality polo tee is no longer presentable after ~100 wears, it will ultimately cost a business more to choose cheaper, lower-quality uniforms. 

What Is a “Good” Cost per Wear for Uniforms?

Benchmarks for a "good" cost per wear for uniforms differ between garment types and materials used. In general, uniform cost per wear should be below $1 to ensure garments are of sufficient quality.

Uniform cost per wear guide

*The above are general estimates based on typical everyday wear frequency. Actual garment lifespan will vary based on the quality of make, material, and care.

Choosing the Right Uniform Supplier for Cost per Wear

Working with an experienced uniform supplier is the best way to achieve a low cost per wear for your custom uniform needs.

Look for uniform suppliers that focus on ensuring quality material is used for garment longevity. Some uniform suppliers outsource a lot of their production processes to external vendors, which can result in compromises in uniform quality. 

At Designs To You, we have 25 years of experience in the uniform and workwear industry. We specialise in designing custom work shirts and uniforms that are comfortable, maintain their quality over multiple wears and washes, and have a low cost per wear for businesses.