US Adult Clothing Market Report 2024
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Report Summary
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
Table of Contents
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- About this Report
-
Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- Market size & forecast
- Market predictions
- What consumers want & why
- Key trends to watch
- Opportunities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Spending on clothing is opening up, but only slightly
- Graph 1: spending habits on clothing*, 2022-24
- Annual inflation sits at 2.9% as of July, the lowest it has been since March 2021
- Graph 2: headline CPI, shelter CPI and apparel CPI, 2021-24
- Consumer sentiment remains down, but is expected to rebound soon
- Graph 3: consumer sentiment index, 2022-24
- The unemployment rate slightly edged up in July, with less-than-expected job growth
- Graph 4: unemployment rate, 2019-24
- Attention to sustainable fashion is growing
- Climate change is also shifting how consumers dress
- Diversity and inclusion must remain a priority
- Market size and forecast
- Moderate growth ahead reflects normalization
- Average annual growth of 2.6% expected over the next five years
- Retail sales and forecast of adult clothing
- Market segmentation
- Women’s sector continues to drive total market
- On average, women spend twice what men do on clothing
- Graph 5: average annual household spending on adult clothing, by segment, 2019-24
- Men’s segment is faster-growing in the long-term
- Retail sales of adult clothing, by segment
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Consumer fast facts (cont’d)
- Shopping frequency and seasonality
- Consumers buy clothing regularly, but women stand out as more frequent shoppers
- Graph 6: clothing shopping frequency, by gender, 2024
- Graph 7: clothing shopping frequency – NET, by gender, 2024
- Inflation continues to temper shopping frequency
- Young adults are highly engaged with the category
- Graph 8: clothing shopping frequency, by generation, 2024
- Clothing purchases have evolved beyond traditional seasons
- Graph 9: shopping seasonality, by gender, 2024
- Capsule wardrobes build upon timeless classics
- Younger adults are more seasonal shoppers
- Graph 10: shopping seasonality, by generation, 2024
- Attitudes toward fashion and clothes shopping
- Both men and women enjoy shopping for clothes
- Graph 11: attitudes toward shopping for clothing – enjoyment and self-expression, 2024
- Fit and comfort are most important
- Retailers and brands must first deliver on the basics
- Consumers crave personalized shopping experiences
- Graph 12: attitudes toward clothes shopping – personalization, by key demographics, 2024
- Consumers prefer to shop from environmentally-friendly retailers
- Graph 13: attitudes toward environmentally friendly shopping options, by generation, 2024
- Classic, timeless styles matter more than trends
- Graph 14: attitudes toward fashion trends, by generation, 2024
- Gen Z and Millennials are trend followers
- Are consumers tiring of viral micro-trends?
- “Brat Summer” proves viral trends still have momentum
- Collaborations create exclusivity and a sense of urgency
- Graph 15: willingness to pay a premium of special/limited edition items, 2024
- Brands lean into fashion collabs
- How the economy is impacting clothing purchases
- Economic pressures are easing, but continue to impact the category
- Inflationary pressures are easing, but continue to impact the category
- Graph 16: impact of inflation on clothing purchases, 2023-24
- Consumers are pulling back less, but value-conscious habits endure
- Economic pressures are uneven
- Graph 17: impact of inflation on clothing purchases, by financial position, 2024
- Younger adults seek value to support their shopping aspirations
- Graph 18: impact of inflation on clothing purchases, by generation, 2024
- BNPL partnerships expand as participation grows
- Circular shopping options promote both value and sustainability
- Graph 19: attitudes toward preowned clothing, by generation, 2024
- Target hosts “Denim Take Back Event”
- Reasons for buying clothes
- Most consumers buy clothing for everyday casual purposes…
- …outpacing purchases for work and other occasions
- Graph 20: reasons for buying clothing, by gender, 2024
- Consumers are seeking out more flexible fashion solutions
- Hybrid and remote work continues to evolve workwear
- Graph 21: select reasons for shopping, by work arrangement, 2024
- Brands create solutions for hybrid lifestyles
- Help consumers navigate size changes with ease
- Younger adults have more varied reasons to buy
- Graph 22: reasons for buying clothes, by generation, 2024
- Buying clothes is a mood booster
- Graph 23: reasons for buying clothing – “I needed a pick-me-up”, by generation and gender, 2024
- How clothing brands can help elevate the mood
- Younger generations are dressing for virtual third spaces
- Graph 24: select reasons for shopping for clothing, by gender and age, 2024
- Items purchased
- Classic, casual styles remain on top
- Graph 25: clothing items purchased, 2024
- A closer look at what women are buying
- Graph 26: clothing items purchased, women versus all, 2024
- Younger women dominate the category
- Graph 27: items purchased by women, by generation, index versus all women, 2024
- Apparel brands must navigate generational dynamics
- Help women of all ages and sizes navigate new denim trends
- Activewear has broad appeal amongst women
- Graph 28: women’s activewear purchases, by key demographics, 2024
- Shorts are trending up…is climate change a factor?
- Graph 29: year-over-year comparison of women’s clothing purchases, 2020-24
- Button-up shirts are replacing blouses and other tops
- A closer look at what men are buying
- Graph 30: men’s clothing purchases, 2024
- Perfect the basics to inspire trade-up
- Younger men are refining their closets
- Graph 31: men’s clothing purchases, by generation, index versus all men, 2024
- Brands must meet men where they are on their style journey
- Men are re-investing in work and occasion wear
- Graph 32: year-over-year comparison of men’s clothing purchases, 2020-24
- The return of the power suit
- PacSun debuts first activewear collection for men
- Younger consumers are embracing more gender neutral styles
- Graph 33: departments shopped, by generation, 2024
- Shopping method
- eCommerce overtakes physical stores
- Graph 34: shopping method for clothing purchases, 2024
- mCommerce is driving ecommerce growth
- Graph 35: shopping method, by generation, 2024
- Maximizing multichannel
- Consumers shop online for the variety and value, but prefer to browse and explore in-store
- Graph 36: attitudes toward shopping method, 2024
- Dissecting consumer preferences
- Younger consumers are less tied to in-person shopping
- Graph 37: attitudes toward shopping method, by generation, 2024
- Stores must evolve to centers of inspiration and discovery
- Evolving the digital shopping experience
- Online shopping can be a trade-off between prices and shipping fees
- Graph 38: select attitudes toward shopping online, by financial situation, 2024
- Some categories are more challenging to buy online
- Graph 39: select items purchased, by shopping method, 2024
- Consumers are still learning how to use new tech
- Graph 40: interest in ecommerce technology, 2024
- AI is beginning to transform the shopping experience
- Graph 41: attitudes toward AI and clothes shopping, by generation, 2024
- Retailers and brands innovate with AI
- Retailers shopped
- Amazon and mass remain on top as consumers seek value
- Graph 42: retailers shopped for clothing, by gender, 2024
- Broad-based retailers outperform specialty stores
- The “big three” serve up style and savings
- Men and women have differing perspectives on value
- Younger adults broaden their retailer selection
- Graph 43: retailers shopped for clothing, by generation, 2024
- Reinventing the department store model
- The next generation of luxury shoppers is emerging
- Graph 44: select retailers shopped – luxury stores, by gender and age and Race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- Behaviors and attitudes toward fast fashion
- Understanding consumer perceptions on fast fashion
- Consumers identify mass market brands as fast fashion
- Graph 45: clothing brands consumers identify as fast fashion, 2024
- The economy is nudging more consumers toward fast fashion
- For consumers, the financial benefits of fast fashion often outweigh the negatives
- Graph 46: attitudes toward fast fashion brands/retailers, 2024
- Gen Z and Millennials send mixed messages
- Graph 47: attitudes toward fast fashion brands, by generation, 2024
- Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to shop specific brands even when they consider them to be fast fashion
- Graph 48: select brands consumers perceive as “fast fashion”, by generation, 2024
- Graph 49: fast fashion brands shopped in the last year, by generation, 2024
- Financial struggles also lead consumers toward fast fashion
- Graph 50: select attitudes toward fast fashion, by household income, 2024
- Where fast fashion brands are winning over shoppers
- Brands must lead on their values to differentiate from fast fashion players
- Sources of information and influence
- Media sources have largest influence over clothing purchases
- Graph 51: sources of information and influence, by generation, 2024
- J.Crew relaunches its print catalog
- Social commerce narrows the gap between inspiration and purchase
- Graph 52: attitudes toward social media and influence, by generation, 2024
- Instagram is the leading app for fashion inspiration
- Graph 53: most influential social media platforms, ranked, 2024
- Graph 54: influential social media platforms, NET – any rank, 2024
- Men and women have differing platform preferences
- Graph 55: influential social media platforms, by gender and age, 2024
- Brands must also establish trust with older shoppers
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Innovation and Marketing strategies
- Marketing and advertising
- Google partners with Netflix to debut “Lens the Look” shopping feature
- Fashion meets food
- From Kate Spade to Nordstrom, food is fueling fashion moments
- True Classic dropped “Accidental Collabs” during Super Bowl
- Indochino partners with Tide Cleaners to offer discounts on dry cleaning
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Appendix
- Market definition
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research questions (cont’d)
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast fan chart methodology
- Appendix: the market
- Total market, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of women’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales and forecast of men’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices
- Total retail sales and market share of adult clothing, by segment
- Average annual household spending on adult clothing
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