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The Pennyweight

Topic hub

Occasion Dressing

Weddings, galas and the once-a-year dress. The category where cost per wear does the most damage and the most good — because the honest wear count is usually somewhere between one and five, and the price should be judged against that number.

Where to start

Comparisons

Glossary terms

Bias Cut
Fabric cut at 45° to the grain so it stretches and drapes diagonally.
Grosgrain
A ribbed woven ribbon used for hatbands, waistbands and bag trim.
Cost Per Wear
Purchase price divided by the number of times a piece is actually worn.

The short list

Three entries from the ledger — the full ranking lives on the best-of pages.

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