US Adult Clothing Market Report 2024

Leverage a wide-spanning understanding of the US clothing market with the data-backed analysis offered by this report. Build the foundations of your clothing industry insight strategy today.

US Adult Clothing Market – Current Landscape

Consumers enjoy shopping for clothing, but are still grappling with budget restraints due to economic pressures. Optimistically, fewer people are cutting back on clothing purchases as inflation cools. The category outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with sales expected to grow 4.6% in 2024.

In the current market, competition from fast fashion brands has been intensifying, with 40% of adults believing these brands offer stylish options on a budget, surpassing those concerned about their environmental impact. This suggests a gap in consumer awareness about the differences between fast fashion brands and other retailers, highlighting an opportunity for brands to distinguish themselves on quality, ethics, and sustainability.

Outside of saving money, what consumers want most is well-fitting and comfortable clothing. Everyday casual items remain the backbone of the category, with shoppers looking for versatile, long-lasting pieces. However, social media has also ignited viral fashion trends, prompting more consumers to experiment with new styles and silhouettes. Gen Z and Millennials are the growth engine at the center of this digital transformation, bringing increasingly high expectations for brands to deliver seamless and personalized shopping experiences across channels.

US Adult Clothing – Market Statistics

• US clothing market size: The market is beginning to stabilize from consumer caution resulting from the pandemic and inflationary concerns. However, elevated prices hinder category growth. Estimated total retail sales of adult clothing sit at $304bn for 2024, with moderate growth forecasted.
• US retail clothing industry analysis: The industry is evolving, eCommerce is gaining ground over brick-and-mortar clothing retail, as consumers find better variety and value online. Physical stores are still crucial to discovery and try-on, providing retailers with the opportunity to evolve the in-store experience. Experiential concepts and a commitment to fitting and styling services will resonate.
• US clothing industry statistics: Most consumers purchase clothing for everyday purposes—the leading reason for clothes shopping. This illustrates how the clothing industry straddles the line between essential and discretionary for many, as only 29% buy for vacation, the following reported reason.

US Adult Clothing Market Report – What’s Inside?

Key Topics Analyzed in the Report

• The continued impact of inflation and economic pressures on the adult clothing market.
• Consumer attitudes toward fashion and buying clothes.
• Clothes shopping behaviors, including frequency, seasonality, items purchased and reasons for buying.
• Where and how consumers shop for clothing.
• Consumer perceptions surrounding fast fashion.
• Areas of opportunity for retailers and brands.

Report Scope

This Report will identify behaviors and preferences among male and female shoppers when shopping for clothing. The Report focuses on purchases adult men and women 18+ make for themselves (versus as gifts). Clothing in this Report covers the following categories: jeans, pants/slacks, suits, t-shirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, skirts, jackets/coats, blazers, shorts, and workout clothes (tops and bottoms). Swimwear, sleepwear, underwear, hosiery, footwear and accessories are not discussed in this Report but except for footwear these are included in the market size.

Note that the market size includes all sales of women’s and men’s clothing (as opposed to boys, girls, misses, and junior wear), regardless of the purchaser.

Market size methodology

The Market: Mintel’s estimates of total retail sales.

Mintel’s methodology incorporates data from the US Census Bureau’s Economic Census, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and other government data, Mintel’s consumer research and desk research, as well as other sources appropriate to the category.

Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis

This report was written by Brittany Steiger. Brittany joined Mintel in October 2021 as a Senior Analyst for Retail & eCommerce. She comes with more than 15 years’ experience in the retail industry, from sales to merchandising to consumer insights. She brings to Mintel a creative, collaborative and curious mindset and a passion for exploring the connections between consumers and brands.

Despite inflationary pressures, innovation shines in clothing as consumers explore new styles and fits, and digital advancements re-shape the shopping experience.

Brittany Steiger
Principal Analyst, Retail & eCommerce