Fewer and better against more and cheaper

Short answer: Fewer and better costs more per piece and less per wear, if you actually wear them. More and cheaper gives more choice and faster wear. The right answer depends on what the garment is for.

Two ways of buying

One way is to buy a few garments of high quality. The other is to buy many garments at a lower price. Neither is wrong in itself. The difference lies in how often you wear the garment and how hard it is worn, which is why there is no single right answer.

Price per piece and per wear

Fewer and better costs more per piece but less per wear, if you wear them. More and cheaper costs less at the checkout, but wears out faster and has to be bought again. That is why cost per wear, and not the price tag, tells you what a garment really costs you.

When fewer and better wins

Fewer and better wins for garments you wear every week. A t-shirt you put on twice a week gets over a hundred wears a year. There the quality pays for itself in durability, because every extra wear lowers the cost per wear. See bamboo underpants for men.

When more and cheaper wins

More and cheaper wins for garments you rarely wear, or where wear is unavoidable. Garden clothes and painting clothes should not be expensive, because they get dirty or damaged whatever the quality. There is no point paying for durability you never benefit from.

More choice or faster wear

More and cheaper gives more choice, and that can be nice. You can change style and try new colours without spending much. The price is that the garments often wear out faster, so you buy new more often. If you want variety, it can be a sensible choice, as long as you accept the wear.

The mix most people end up with

A few good basics that are worn constantly, and a smaller layer of cheaper things for the unpredictable. The basics carry everyday life, and the cheaper things take the knocks you cannot foresee. That way you spend the money where it does the most good. See bamboo sweatwear.

How to choose your basics

Basics are the ones you put on again and again: underwear, t-shirts, a jumper and trousers you like. Choose them by how often you wear them, not by price. If you need a garment at least once a week, it is a basic and deserves to be bought with care.

What you can see in the quality

Quality can be seen. Look for flat seams, an even knit and a neck that keeps its shape after washing. Hold the garment up to the light and feel whether the fabric is consistent. It is no guarantee, but far better than guessing from brand or price. See bamboo tops for women.

When it is hard to choose

If in doubt, ask yourself how many times you will realistically wear the garment. If you can see yourself wearing it more than thirty times, there is good reason to choose quality. If it will be fewer, you can happily choose the cheaper one. It is a simple rule of thumb that often holds.