Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
Global apparel market was valued at approximately $1.5 trillion in 2022
The global online clothing and apparel market is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025
In 2023, the U.S. apparel market revenue reached $370 billion
Fast fashion accounts for 10% of global clothing sales
In 2022, 29.5% of global apparel sales occurred online
The average American household spent $1,754 on apparel in 2021
Activewear represented 40% of total U.S. apparel sales in 2022
Women’s apparel accounted for 52% of the U.S. clothing market in 2022
Secondhand clothing market expected to double to $77 billion by 2025
In 2022, China generated $303 billion in apparel sales, the highest globally
88% of Gen Z shoppers say sustainability is an important factor when buying fashion items
The luxury clothing segment is projected to reach $133 billion in revenue in 2024
In 2022, apparel returns cost U.S. retailers about $100 billion
Consumer Behavior & Preferences
- The average American household spent $1,754 on apparel in 2021
- 88% of Gen Z shoppers say sustainability is an important factor when buying fashion items
- In 2022, apparel returns cost U.S. retailers about $100 billion
- More than 30% of fashion e-commerce purchases are returned
- The average return rate for apparel items is 25%
- Apparel is the most returned category in e-commerce, accounting for about 40% of total returns
- In 2023, digital channels influenced over 60% of all apparel purchases
- Average American buys 68 new pieces of clothing per year
- The average cost of a pair of jeans in the U.S. in 2023 was $45
- 40% of consumers say they shop for clothes at least once a month
- 52% of apparel shoppers are influenced by social media platforms
- 84% of shoppers buy clothes online due to convenience
- TikTok drove 15% of Gen Z apparel sale inspirations in 2022
- 48% of consumers say ease of returns influences their choice of apparel retailer
- 35% of U.S. apparel shoppers buy through mobile apps
- Fast fashion companies release approximately 52 micro-seasons per year
- Apparel subscription box retention rate is 60% after 3 months
- 71% of online clothing shoppers abandon carts due to shipping costs
- Mobile devices account for 67% of digital apparel traffic globally
- Branded apparel made up over 45% of total online clothing sales in 2022
- Average e-commerce clothing order value in the U.S. was $89 in 2022
- 62% of customers are more likely to buy clothes from brands with ethical practices
- 53% of U.S. clothing shoppers prioritize getting bargains over brand loyalty
- 60% of luxury fashion consumers start their research online
- Customers are 3x more likely to return clothing purchases made online versus in-store
- Mobile accounted for 58% of fashion site conversions globally in 2022
- The average millennial spends $1,950 annually on clothing
- 61% of apparel buyers are willing to pay more for sustainable fashion
- 91% of consumers prefer brands that offer free apparel returns
Interpretation
In a digital age where the average American buys 68 new clothing items a year yet returns nearly a third—and Gen Z demands sustainability while TikTok and free returns drive demand—fashion retail has become a fast-paced balancing act of ethics, convenience, and cart abandonment.
E-commerce & Digital Innovation
- In 2022, 29.5% of global apparel sales occurred online
- Personalized apparel recommendations can increase conversion by over 26%
- 90% of fashion executives expect digital channels to be the top sales driver by 2025
- Virtual try-on technology increased online apparel conversion rates by 22%
- Personalized emails result in 6x higher apparel conversion rates
Interpretation
As fashion strides further into the digital era, where nearly a third of apparel sales are already online, the industry’s new runway stars are AI stylists, personalized emails, and virtual fitting rooms that turn clicks into couture.
Market Size & Growth
- Global apparel market was valued at approximately $1.5 trillion in 2022
- The global online clothing and apparel market is projected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025
- In 2023, the U.S. apparel market revenue reached $370 billion
- Fast fashion accounts for 10% of global clothing sales
- In 2022, China generated $303 billion in apparel sales, the highest globally
- The luxury clothing segment is projected to reach $133 billion in revenue in 2024
- Jeans sales in the U.S. sustained $21 billion in revenue in 2022
- Online apparel sales in Europe reached €122 billion in 2022
- In 2022, U.S. children's apparel sales grew 6% and reached $35 billion
- Global women’s wear market is expected to reach $915 billion by 2027
- Sustainable fashion market is projected to grow to $11.2 billion by 2026
- Subscription fashion services market to surpass $1 billion by 2027
- Streetwear accounts for about 10% of the global apparel market
- Online-only apparel retailers saw a 20% growth in 2022 over the previous year
- Men’s apparel market reached $563 billion globally in 2022
- Apparel makes up about 5% of total U.S. retail sales
- In 2022, global online women’s fashion segment generated $525 billion
- Plus-size fashion market expected to reach $696 billion by 2027
- US fast fashion market is forecasted to grow by 6.9% CAGR through 2030
- Zara generated $23.8 billion in global sales in 2022
- H&M’s revenue reached $22.5 billion in 2022 globally
- Cross-border online clothing shopping rose 17% in 2022
- Patagonia apparel sales grew 12.5% in 2022
- Fashion industry contributes 2% to global GDP
- Digital fashion is projected to become a $50 billion market by 2030
- Global menswear e-commerce expected to hit $700 billion by 2027
Interpretation
In a world where style marches hand-in-hand with screens and sustainability whispers amid fast fashion’s roar, the $1.5 trillion global apparel market is strutting toward a future that’s not only digitally tailored, globally stitched, and gender-diverse—but increasingly conscious, clickable, and competitive.
Sustainability & Secondhand Market
- Secondhand clothing market expected to double to $77 billion by 2025
- Nearly 70% of all clothes made annually end up in landfills within a year
- Thrift and resale clothing sales grew 24% in 2022
- Fashion resale grew 5 times faster than overall clothing retail from 2017 to 2022
- Nearly 60% of clothing today is made from synthetic fibers
- Over 20 million tons of textiles are wasted globally each year
- The average lifespan of a clothing garment is 2.2 years
- 83% of consumers have purchased at least one item of secondhand clothing
- Apparel industry is responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions
- Peer-to-peer secondhand clothing sales reached $7 billion globally in 2022
Interpretation
As fast fashion churns out landfill-bound threads at breakneck speed, the booming secondhand market is stitching together a stylish rebellion—one pre-loved garment at a time.
Trends by Segment & Region
- Activewear represented 40% of total U.S. apparel sales in 2022
- Women’s apparel accounted for 52% of the U.S. clothing market in 2022
- In 2023, almost 60% of all apparel sales globally occurred in the Asia-Pacific region
- In 2023, 70% of U.S. apparel was imported from China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam combined
- In 2021, the top 10 apparel companies accounted for nearly 25% of global apparel sales
- Nike led U.S. apparel sales in 2022 with over $44 billion in revenue
Interpretation
From yoga pants dominating U.S. closets to Asia-Pacific markets flexing global muscle, the fashion industry’s power players are sweating it out in activewear, outsourcing production overseas, and proving that what we wear is shaped by geography, gender, and a few giant brands—led by Nike sprinting far ahead.
