EPIC Black Pencil Skirt Remix

Get excited!  It's Friday Remix time with AJ Wears Clothes, and I'm going crazy today with 20 ways I've worn my black pencil skirt.  Then I got all philosophical/economical about budgets and shopping, so you can read my thoughts on that as well!
 
I bought this skirt at Old Navy a million years ago (okay, maybe more like 8).  I don't remember exactly when I bought it, but I know it was on clearance for $10.  I also know that I paired it with this blazer (also $10) whenever I needed a "suit" throughout college.  I definitely wore my makeshift suit for all my interviews when I was looking for my first grownup job, and I bet no one noticed it wasn't a legit suit at all.

1/2/3/4/5

As bloggers, we talk a lot about remixing, and cost-per-wear, and how to make wise budget choices.  I've heard that cost-per-wear should be about $1 for any given item.  By my calculations, I've probably worn this skirt about 80 times, which puts the cost-per-wear right around $0.12.  That's ridiculous.

6/7/8/9/10

With that in mind, I realized that (without realizing it) I also consider supply/demand when I am shopping for something.  A black pencil skirt is a wardrobe staple, so by generally accepted accounting fashion blog budget principles, you can spend more money on it than you would spend on something super trendy.  But it's also something you can probably find any time of year at any number of stores.  So while I could have spent $80 on it, and my cost-per-wear would still be reasonable, why would I spend that much money on something that I can find for $10?

11/12/13/14/15

In comparison, I bought these sandals last summer for $40.  That's a lot of money for me to spend on a pair of shoes, but I'd been looking for cute and comfortable flat black sandals for about 2 years and hadn't found any that I loved.  These will fall apart before I get to 12 cents per wear, but I doubt I would have a nice pair of flat sandals if I was holding out for a $10 price tag. 

16/17/18/19/20

Finally, I will just add that each person will have a different set of items that are harder to find.  Skirts generally work for me, so I won't spend very much unless it is really unique.  Button-up shirts are a completely different story, so I can't go to Old Navy and by a chambray for $10.  Maybe you are the opposite.  I think it depends a lot on body type, and also how frequently you are out shopping. 

If you are still reading, thanks for sticking with me!  Do you think my theory makes sense?

Top: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Necklace: InPink
Sandals: Carlos Santana

PS - this skirt also defies the laws of physics, because it still fits me despite the 30lbs or so I have gained since I bought it.