2026
9
UK Menswear Market Report 2026
2026-03-30T16:19:17+00:00
REP9807F7D1_C801_4764_87F7_D1C80137648E
2195
192317
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Report
en_GB
92% of UK men have purchased clothing for themselves in the past year, up from 89% in 2025. Quality and versatility in clothing have become increasingly important, with both seeing…
UK
Clothing and Footwear Retail
simple

UK Menswear Market Report 2026

"Retailers can unlock growth in menswear by embracing premiumisation. As men are more willing to invest in quality clothing, retailers can drive demand in this market."

Bridget McCusker, Research Analyst

Bridget McCusker, Research Analyst

92% of UK men have purchased clothing for themselves in the past year, up from 89% in 2025. Quality and versatility in clothing have become increasingly important, with both seeing a five-percentage-point rise year-on-year as retailers invest more heavily in this category.

This shift in consumer priorities is driving significant changes within the industry. Retailers such as M&S and ASOS are focusing on AI-powered design, virtual try-on technology, and community-focused flagship stores, moving away from fast trends to offering more value-driven services. The emphasis on quality is further supported by the return to offices post-pandemic, with shoppers prioritising durable, versatile pieces, resulting in increased demand for categories like denim and outerwear.

Years of economic uncertainty have also shaped how men approach clothing purchases. Younger generations now place greater importance on resale value and cost-per-wear, viewing their wardrobes as long-term investments. This has made quality and versatility pivotal in influencing their buying decisions.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • The current size and five-year forecast of the UK menswear market
  • Clothing items purchased by men, along with how and where they bought
  • Shifting shopping priorities for men as they continue to prioritise quality and versatility more than last year
  • How AI can shape the purchasing journey for men aiding in discovery, purchasing and supporting size/fit concerns
  • The role of circularity in men’s shopping habits for clothing as younger men value the resale value of their pieces and how that can encourage them to invest in higher-quality pieces
  • How do men feel in their clothing and how comfort and versatility is important for many

Market Definitions

  • This Report examines the UK menswear retail market for consumers aged 16 and over.
  • It includes men’s outerwear, but excludes underwear, footwear and jewellery.
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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for menswear
    • Opportunities
    • AI can revolutionise the shopping experience
    • Invest in quality menswear with lasting impact
    • Turning comfort into a cornerstone of menswear
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast
    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • Menswear inflation lags behind womenswear due to value-conscious consumers
    • Graph 1: overall and garment inflation rate, 2024-25
    • Cost-per-wear grows for younger consumers
    • Incremental growth is expected for the coming years
    • Spending on menswear will be softer in 2026
    • Graph 2: market size and forecast for menswear, 2019-30
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Shifting priorities among male shoppers
    • Responding to changing men’s fashion shopping habits
    • Graph 3: factors most important when shopping for men’s clothing, 2025 and 2026
    • Men’s growing demand for versatility, quality and value for money
    • Younger men investing in building a wardrobe
    • Graph 4: amount spent on fashion items, by gender and age group, December 2025
    • Shifts in what consumers purchased
    • Graph 5: outwear items purchased by men, 2024 and 2025
    • Social media trends influencing fashion
    • Where are men shopping
    • Men shop fluidly between channels
    • Retailer landscape shifts as menswear habits evolve
    • Graph 6: retailers used to purchase menswear, 2025 and 2026
    • Men are willing to trade up when value is clear
    • The comeback of Topshop and Topman
    • Retailers creating communities for consumers to engage with others
    • Ways consumers would use AI when buying clothes
    • AI provides a practical way to help shoppers stay value-driven without extra effort
    • AI tools that find deals and simplify shopping are now essential
    • AI can support product discovery
    • Graph 7: AI uses for product discovery and inspiration for clothing shopping for men, 2025
    • AI can reduce uncertainty throughout the shopping experience
    • Graph 8: AI uses for confidence when shopping for clothing for men, 2025
    • Comfort and versatility drive men’s choices
    • Men want to feel comfortable and confident in their clothing
    • Comfort is the new cornerstone of men’s wellness
    • Comfort and practicality drive men’s clothing purchases
    • Resale is key for more circular behaviour
    • Resale is growing in importance
    • Young men drive premiumisation trend through resale as clothing becomes an investment
    • Second-hand becomes deeply embedded with shopping for menswear
    • Transparency in manufacturing practices essential to address quality concerns
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Menswear has been experiencing a revival over the past year
    • M&S launches a dedicated Instagram channel for men
    • Menswear specialists focus on elevated casualwear
    • Graph 9: leading menswear retailers, growth in spend and customers, 2024-26
    • T.M. Lewin sees rise in repeat customers
    • Menswear specialists are aligning with consumers values
    • Kidoriman highlights the versatility of its trousers
    • Beauty and fashion blend for “wearable skincare”
    • AI tools will enhance the customer experience
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • The market
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast methodology – fan chart
    • Market size and forecast: underlying data
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology – EMEA
    • Other data source methodologies
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
    • Snoop SpendMapper methodology
    • Supplementary data
    • Adspend on men’s fashion sees a slight uptick in 2025
    • Graph 10: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on men’s fashion, 2021-25
    • Most men’s retailers have increased their adspend in 2025
    • Social adspend maintains the lion’s share
    • Graph 11: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on men’s fashion, by media type, 2021-25
    • Abbreviations and terms

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