The US Men’s and Women’s Clothing Market Report 2022 identifies consumers’ purchasing habits of men’s and women’s clothing, purchase factors, and the impact of inflation on the US clothing market. This report covers the US apparel market size, market forecast, market segmentation and industry trends for the US men and women apparel market.

Men and Women Apparel: Current Market Landscape

After two years of lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions, consumers want to dress up more again as they return to prepandemic routines. As a result, the men and women apparel market has experienced sales increases and continues to do so. The US apparel market size is expected to grow by a further 7% or more. This growth accounts for both sectors: the men’s clothing market and the women’s clothing market.

Following the insights of Mintel’s US apparel market report, the women’s clothing industry, as well as men’s, is expected to experience another admirable sales bump in 2022 as it continues on its path toward stabilisation following years of massive disruption during the pandemic.

The US Clothing Market: Consumer Behaviors, Industry Trends, Challenges & Opportunities

Inflation is at a record high and is artificially driving up US clothing market sales. This poses the biggest threat to the US apparel market as it will cause consumers to restrict their purchases to the necessities. Inflationary effects will likely continue through the first half of 2023 and are likely to stay flat in 2024.

It will also impact where consumers shop in the US clothing market, and what items they buy. Value-oriented retailers of men and women apparel will be favored. It is important for retailers to look for new sources of US apparel market revenue which could include unisex clothing, partnerships with other brands in the US clothing market, and social commerce.

  • US Clothing Market Consumer Behaviors: 31% of buyers said they’re dressing up more now that the pandemic isn’t as much of a threat anymore.
  • Men and Women Apparel Market Challenges: Inflation is consumers’ number one concern at the moment – 78% of Americans are worried about its effects on their finances. Consumers’ income squeeze will inevitably also effect retailers of men and women apparel.
  • US Apparel Market Opportunities: While incomes may be squeezed, everyone still needs and buys clothes. Gen Z and Millennials are the most engaged customers in this category. They’re also the most digitally savvy and will help to usher in a new way of shopping in digital formats. Retailers can prepare for the future by monitoring and catering to their behaviors, attitudes and expectations.
  • Men and Women Apparel Trends: Sustainability in fashion is important to clothes shoppers, especially younger crowds. Consumers endeavor to buy from eco-friendly fashion retailers, and are increasingly paying attention to brands’ sustainability practices, expecting progress. Retailers must lead with sustainability plans and progress.

The Future of the US Apparel Market

The US apparel market is expected to stabilize and expand at a slow but steady pace. Men and women apparel retailers can look to connect with current and new customers by highlighting DEI and sustainability initiatives, participating in the circular economy, and continuing to invest in tech and digital shopping experiences.

One of the biggest opportunities in the US clothing market is the continuous innovation that’s elevating the multichannel shopping experience, one that will eventually include the metaverse as a common place for customer and brand interaction. Men and women apparel retailers should lean into new ways to bring the benefits of in-person shopping to the digital channel.

To discover more about the US Apparel Market, read our US Online Apparel Retailing Market Report 2022, or take a look at our extensive Fashion Market Research.

Quickly Understand the US Clothing Market

  • The impact of inflation, supply chain issues and COVID-19 on consumers’ willingness to spend on new clothing.
  • Consumers’ affinity for clothes shopping.
  • How often, when and why do consumers buy clothing?
  • Where are consumers shopping for clothes and what items are they buying?
  • How men and women apparel retailers are using technology to improve the clothes shopping process, in-store and online.
  • The emerging shifts in consumer behaviors and attitudes about apparel and ensuing market opportunities for men and women apparel brands.

Covered in this Report

Products: Jeans, pants/slacks, suits, T-shirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, skirts, jackets/coats, blazers, shorts and workout clothes (tops and bottoms).

Brands: Zara, H&M, Uniqulo, Mango, Asos, Kohl’s, YouTube, TikTok, and many more.

Expert Analysis from a Specialist in Retail & eCommerce

This report, written by Diana Smith, a leading analyst in the Retail & eCommerce sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the US clothing market, and adds expert context to the numbers.

The men and women apparel market continues to show resiliency amid constant retraction and expansion as it responds to a surplus of outside factors. For the foreseeable future, the biggest threatening headwind is inflation, which is pulling the US clothing market toward another period of retraction. Men and women apparel retailers and brands must be focused on highlighting value, while at the same time, looking out ahead to invest in the appropriate digitisation that is shaping the future of fashion and will safeguard their businesses in the years ahead.

Diana Smith, Associate Director, Retail & eCommerce
Diana Smith
Associate Director – Retail & eCommerce

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  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
    • This Report looks at the following areas:
    • Definition
    • Market context

  2. Executive Summary

    • Top takeaways
    • Market overview
      • Figure 1: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of men’s and women’s clothing, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 2: Men’s and women’s clothing outlook, 2022-27
    • Opportunities and challenges
    • Inflation sits at the top of a long list of concerns that are plaguing shoppers
    • Highlight value in marketing and messaging
    • Invest in tech to improve fit
    • Adjust for changing dynamics in the workplace
    • Embrace emerging forms of shopping
    • Key consumer insights

  3. Market Size and Forecast

    • Despite pandemic volatility, recovery is underway
      • Figure 3: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of men’s and women’s clothing, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 4: Total US retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s clothing, at current prices, 2017-27

  4. Segment Performance

    • Men’s sector grows at faster pace than women’s despite being about half as big
      • Figure 5: Total US retail sales of men’s and women’s clothing, by segment, at current prices, 2020 and 2022
    • Men’s clothing set to continue expanding at a faster clip
      • Figure 6: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of men’s clothing, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 7: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of women’s clothing, at current prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 8: Total US retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s clothing, by segment, at current prices, 2017-27

  5. Market Factors

    • Record high inflation has tanked Americans’ confidence in economy
      • Figure 9: Consumer Sentiment Index, 2010-22
      • Figure 10: Consumer Price Index change from previous year, 2020-22
      • Figure 11: Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers: apparel in US city average, 2021-22
    • Money isn’t going as far as it used to
      • Figure 12: Inflation and wage growth, 2019-22
      • Figure 13: Financial health, 2022
    • Consumers speak up about the impact of inflation
    • While inflation is the main concern, it’s not the only one
      • Figure 14: Consumer concerns, 2022
    • Obesity rates keep expanding, bringing more demand for extended sizes
      • Figure 15: Age-adjusted prevalence of overweight and obesity among people aged 20 or older, 2001-02 to 2017-18
      • Figure 16: Prevalence of obesity among US adults aged 20 and over, by gender and age and gender and race and Hispanic origin, 2017-18
    • 35-44 year olds will be key to watch
      • Figure 17: Women aged 18 or older, by age, 2016-26
      • Figure 18: Men aged 18 or older, by age, 2016-26
    • Multicultural population on the rise
      • Figure 19: Women by race and Hispanic origin, 2016-26
      • Figure 20: Men by race and Hispanic origin, 2016-16
    • Lifestyle changes causing style changes
      • Figure 21: Style change due to lifestyle change, by gender and age and from home status, 2022
    • Consumers speak up about dress code shifts at work
    • Fabric Act will bring positive change to the industry

  6. Competitive Strategies and Market Opportunities

    • Most consumers have positive attitudes toward clothes and the clothing industry
    • Embrace inclusivity
    • Extended sizes
      • Figure 22: Attitudes and behaviors toward extended sizing, by gender, 2022
      • Figure 23: Look for extended sizing, by gender, age, race and Hispanic origin, 2022
      • Figure 24: Dia & Co announces acquisition of 11 Honore
      • Figure 25: Otera caters to men 5’10” and under
    • Gender-neutral options
      • Figure 26: Attitudes toward gender in products and marketing, by select generation, 2022
      • Figure 27: Attitude toward gender-neutral clothing lines/items, by key demographics, 2022
    • Consumers speak up about their interest (or lack thereof) in gender-neutral clothing lines/brands
      • Figure 28: Gender-neutral clothing brands express themselves on Instagram
    • Adaptive clothing
      • Figure 29: Tommy Hilfiger and Zappos offer adaptive clothing options
    • Highlight value to help cautious shoppers make smart decisions
      • Figure 30: Attitudes/behaviors related to price/value, 2022
      • Figure 31: Attitudes/behaviors related to price/value, by gender and age, 2022
      • Figure 32: Shapermint includes gift cards in its promotions
      • Figure 33: Nordstrom promotes its Anniversary Sale
      • Figure 34: Givenchy and Disney team up on The Wonder Gallery collaboration
      • Figure 35: Adidas x Gucci collaboration
    • Explore emerging forms of digital commerce
    • Social media including livestream shopping
      • Figure 36: @Andy_Lobos TikTok video about Abercrombie & Fitch’s logoless hoodies
      • Figure 37: Abercrombie & Fitch promotes jeans on TikTok
      • Figure 38: Sweaty Betty’s Instagram shop allows consumers to natively shop products within its profile
    • Metaverse and NFTs
      • Figure 39: DressX will provide outfits for Meta’s avatar fashion marketplace
      • Figure 40: Dolce & Gabbana launches DGFamily NFT community

  7. The Consumer – Fast Facts

  8. Shopping Frequency and Seasonality

    • People have been buying clothes more frequently
      • Figure 41: Shopping frequency, 2020-22
      • Figure 42: Shopping frequency, by gender, 2022
    • Place of work and income impact clothing purchase frequency
    • Place of work
      • Figure 43: Shopping frequency, by work from home status, 2022
    • Household income
      • Figure 44: Shopping frequency, by household income, 2022
    • Black Non-Hispanic and Hispanic shoppers likely to gravitate toward affordable clothing indulgences
      • Figure 45: Shopping frequency, by race and Hispanic origin, 2022
    • Young men buck seasonality norm
      • Figure 46: Shopping seasonality, by gender and age, 2022

  9. Affinity for Clothes Shopping

    • Most people enjoy shopping for clothes
      • Figure 47: Affinity for clothes shopping, 2022
    • Younger generations have a higher affinity toward clothes shopping
      • Figure 48: Affinity for clothes shopping, by generation and gender, 2022
      • Figure 49: Attitudes toward clothing for personal identity, by gender and generation, 2022
    • The more someone likes clothes shopping, the more often they will buy
      • Figure 50: Shopping frequency, by affinity for clothes shopping, 2022

  10. Important Attributes

    • Fit matters most
      • Figure 51: Important attributes when clothes shopping, 2022
    • Fit is most important to women; men under 55 more likely to take all aspects into consideration
      • Figure 52: Important attributes when clothes shopping, by gender and age, 2022
      • Figure 53: Important attributes when clothes shopping, by Hispanic origin and gender and gender and race, 2022
    • There are correlations between important attributes and affinity
      • Figure 54: Important attributes when clothes shopping, by affinity for clothes shopping, 2022
    • Form places an integral role in expressing one’s sense of style through fashion
      • Figure 55: Attitude toward clothing for personal identity, by important attributes when clothes shopping, 2022

  11. Retailers Shopped

    • Most consumers do not buy clothing at clothing stores
      • Figure 56: Retailers shopped, by channel, 2022
    • Retailer preference varies by gender; will continue as traditional gender norms blur
      • Figure 57: Select retailers shopped, by gender, 2022
    • Age and race also influence where consumers shop
    • Young men and Black male fashion aficionados shop around the most
      • Figure 58: Retailers shopped by men, by age, race and Hispanic origin, 2022
      • Figure 59: Retailers shopped by men – Index versus all, by age, race and Hispanic origin, 2022
    • Women under 55 drive the category; multicultural women have a few favorite places
      • Figure 60: Retailers shopped by women, by age, race and Hispanic origin, 2022
      • Figure 61: Retailers shopped by women – Index versus all , by age, race and Hispanic origin, 2022
    • Value-driven retailers are a lifeline for financially strapped consumers
      • Figure 62: Retailers shopped, by household income and financial situation, 2022

  12. Method of Shopping

    • Vast majority of adults use stores and digital means interchangeably when shopping for clothes
      • Figure 63: Shopping method, 2022
    • Online is the future
      • Figure 64: Attitudes/behaviors related to online clothes shopping, 2022
      • Figure 65: Shopping method, by gender, 2022

  13. Items Purchased

    • Penchant for casualization and comfort still defines popular items
      • Figure 66: Items purchased, by channel, 2022
    • Activewear is a lifestyle, not a trend
      • Figure 67: Attitudes toward activewear, by gender and age and work from home status, 2022
      • Figure 68: Vuori activewear
      • Figure 69: Walmart launches Love & Sports activewear line
    • Gender does play a role in items purchased
      • Figure 70: Items purchased, by gender, 2022
    • A closer look at what men are buying
    • Younger men have the most well-rounded closets
      • Figure 71: Items purchased by men, by age – Index versus all men, 2022
    • Hispanic men are stepping up the fashion
      • Figure 72: Items purchased by men, by race and ethnicity – Index versus all men, 2022
    • A closer look at what women are buying
    • Young women want it all
      • Figure 73: Items purchased by women, by age – Index versus all women, 2022
    • Multicultural women are more fashion-oriented
      • Figure 74: Items purchased by women, by race and ethnicity – Index versus all women, 2022
    • Consumers speak up about their favorite wears

  14. Reasons for Buying Clothes

    • “Need-based” reasons may drive purchases as fun and discretionary reasons take back seat
      • Figure 75: Reasons for buying clothes, by gender, 2022
    • Women like to keep it casual and occasionally treat themselves
      • Figure 76: Buying for everyday casualwear and self-treating, by gender and generation, 2022
    • Pandemic prompts changes in body size
      • Figure 77: Buying due to change in body size, by gender and generation, race and ethnicity, 2022
      • Figure 78: Eshakti offers style and fabric customization
      • Figure 79: Lifestyle and fashion blogger review of Amazon Made for You customization service
      • Figure 80: Men’s Wearhouse launches Contactless Fit
    • Consumers speak up about why they buy clothing

  15. Shopping Behaviors

    • Consumer behaviors reflect their desire for convenience and ease of shopping
      • Figure 81: Shopping behaviors, 2022
    • Brand ethics matter to men
      • Figure 82: Shopping behaviors, by gender, 2022
    • Consumers speak up on their use of tech and services
    • Shifts in shopping behaviors
    • Nearly a third of consumers are dressing up as pandemic threat weakens; young men lead the way
      • Figure 83: Approach to dressing up in light of COVID-19 improvement, by gender, 2022
      • Figure 84: Dressing up in light of COVID-19 improvement, by key demographics, 2022
      • Figure 85: Dressing up in light of COVID-19 improvement, by work from home status, 2022
    • Preowned clothing market is still emerging; will see boost in current economy
      • Figure 86: Propensity to buy preowned clothing, by gender, 2022
      • Figure 87: Buying more preowned clothing, by key demographics, 2022
    • Rental market also seeing spikes; men under 55 particularly interested
      • Figure 88: Attitude toward rental clothing options, by gender and age, 2022
    • Brand ethics matter, and consumers are paying more attention to DEI
      • Figure 89: Impact of retailer/brand DEI initiatives when shopping for clothes, by gender, 2022
      • Figure 90: More likely to be impacted by retailer/brand’s DEI initiatives when shopping for clothes, by key demographics, 2022
      • Figure 91: Brands showcase their commitment to DEI in various ways
    • Consumers also directing more of their purchases toward eco-friendly brands
      • Figure 92: Impact of retailer/brand sustainability initiatives when shopping for clothes, by gender, 2022
      • Figure 93: Impact of retailer/brand sustainability initiatives when shopping for clothes, by key demographics, 2022
      • Figure 94: Everlane forms The Next [Collective] to address sustainability challenges
      • Figure 95: Uniqlo outlines sustainability priorities
    • Consumers speak up about sustainability in fashion

  16. Sources of Inspiration

    • Shoppers are online looking for inspiration
      • Figure 96: Sources of inspiration, 2022
      • Figure 97: Kohl’s uses social media influencers and livestreaming to engage shoppers
      • Figure 98: Sources of inspiration, by gender and generation, 2022
    • Consumers speak up about trying new brands

  17. Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

    • Data sources
    • Sales data
    • Forecast
    • Consumer survey data
    • Consumer qualitative research
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations
    • Terms

  18. Appendix – The Market

      • Figure 99: Total US retail sales and forecast of men’s and women’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 100: Total US retail sales and forecast of men’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 101: Total US retail sales and forecast of women’s clothing, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2017-27
      • Figure 102: Average annual household spending on men’s and women’s clothing, 2017-22

  19. Appendix – The Consumer

    • Qualitative research
    • Attitudes and behaviors toward clothes shopping
      • Figure 103: Attitudes and behaviors toward clothes shopping, 2022

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