What a wrong purchase costs
Short answer: A wrong purchase costs the full price. A garment that is never worn costs the same as one worn every week, only with nothing in return. That is why the cheapest clothes are the ones you actually put on.
The full price
A garment that sits untouched in the drawer cost just as much as the one you wear every week. The only difference is what you get out of it. The payment is the same, but one garment gives everyday life something, while the other takes up space and reminds you of the purchase.
The maths
Cost per wear is the price divided by the number of times you wear the garment. The more wears, the lower the cost per wear. If the garment is worn zero times, the sum cannot be done at all, because you cannot divide by zero. The whole amount is spent and nothing came back.
Wrong size
The first common mistake is a wrong size that was not returned in time. The deadline passes quickly, and the parcel often sits until it is too late. Put a date in your calendar the day the order arrives, so you remember to try it on. See bamboo underpants for men.
Bought on offer
The second is the garment bought because it was on offer. The price felt like a win, but it is only a saving if you needed the item. A deal on something you would not have bought at full price is not a saving but an expense. See bamboo shorts for men.
A colour or cut you do not wear
The third is a garment in a colour or cut you do not already wear. It does not match anything else in the wardrobe, so it stays on the hanger. Before you add it to the basket, check that it goes with at least two other pieces you own.
What to do with them
Sell them second hand if the tags are still on, or pass them on to someone who can use them. A wrong purchase that sits in the wardrobe for three years is still a wrong purchase, and waiting does not make it worth more. The sooner it leaves, the more you often get for it.
Can a wrong purchase be saved
For loungewear or nightwear, a wrong purchase can sometimes be saved. A garment that is not right for going out can be fine at home, and then it gets worn. Otherwise the best thing is to pass it on so someone else uses it. See women's bamboo pants.
How to avoid them
Measure a garment you already own and like, and compare the measurements with the size chart before you order. It takes two minutes and saves many returns. Look at the fit, not just the letter, because a medium can be very different from brand to brand.
How many do you have
How many wrong purchases people typically have has not been measured here, so we do not give a number. Count for yourself what is never worn in your drawer or on your rail. The figure is often bigger than you think and a good starting point for buying smarter.
Frequently asked questions
How many wrong purchases do people typically have
It has not been measured here, so we cannot give a number. Count for yourself what is never worn in your drawer or on your rail.
Can a wrong purchase be saved
For loungewear or nightwear sometimes. Otherwise the best thing is to pass it on, so someone else wears it instead of it sitting in the wardrobe.
How do you avoid them
Measure a garment you own and compare the measurements with the size chart before you order. That way you know in advance whether the fit works, instead of guessing at the letter.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
