Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global hosiery market was valued at USD 35.69 billion in 2021
The global hosiery market is projected to reach USD 47.79 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2022 to 2028
Asia Pacific held more than 40% share of the global hosiery market in 2021
The socks segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 60% in 2021
The women's hosiery segment accounted for over 65% of the market share in 2021
Online retail contributed over 20% to hosiery sales globally in 2021
North America accounted for over 20% of the global market share in 2021
The men's hosiery segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% through 2028
Compression hosiery is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.5% between 2022 and 2028
The global socks market alone was valued at USD 42 billion in 2022
The U.S. hosiery market size was valued at USD 7.8 billion in 2021
67% of consumers consider comfort as the most important factor in hosiery purchases
30% of global hosiery sales are driven by the athletic and sportswear segment
Consumer Behavior and Preferences
- Online retail contributed over 20% to hosiery sales globally in 2021
- 67% of consumers consider comfort as the most important factor in hosiery purchases
- 10% of global compression hosiery sales are attributed to the elderly population in developed countries
- 62% of consumers prefer cotton as the primary material in hosiery products
- In 2021, women accounted for 72% of pantyhose purchases in the United States
- Hosiery sales peak in Q4 due to holiday season gifting, representing 35% of annual sales
- In the U.S., 79% of children between ages 2-12 wear graphic or character socks
- In 2022, 52% of men in the U.S. bought dress socks for workwear
- Seamless toe socks have a customer satisfaction rate of 87%
- The average American owns 16 pairs of socks
- 41% of U.K. consumers buy hosiery on impulse during grocery shopping
- Thermal hosiery sales increase by 40% during winter months in colder regions
- 85% of runners prefer moisture-wicking socks for optimal performance
- Compression tights are commonly used by 35% of professional athletes globally
- 91% of teenage girls in the U.S. consider socks as part of fashion expression
- In South Korea, the average consumer purchases 24 pairs of socks annually
- Nearly 74% of consumers dislike socks with prominent logos or branding
- Hosiery brands using influencers report up to 3x higher engagement rates on product posts
- Knee-high compression socks are favored by 62% of frequent flyers
- 29% of consumers say they buy hosiery specifically for gifting purposes
- 57% of European consumers prefer buying hosiery from supermarkets or chain department stores
- 44% of U.S. mothers consider price the top factor when buying socks for their children
- 78% of American men own black dress socks
- 37% of online hosiery purchases result from social media ads
- 49% of hosiery brands saw improved margins by switching to direct-to-consumer channels
- 58% of online reviewers mention “fit” as the deciding factor in hosiery satisfaction
Interpretation
In a world where socks signal style, function fuels fashion, and fit trumps flash, the hosiery industry shows that comfort is king, cotton is queen, and social media is the new department store aisle.
Environmental and Sustainability Factors
- 60% of fashion brands are incorporating sustainable hosiery lines since 2021
- The average pair of socks uses about 60 liters of water during its cotton production phase
- Wind-powered textile mills supply 8% of hosiery yarn in the Netherlands
- Hosiery accounts for about 3% of textile landfill waste in North America
Interpretation
As fashion brands pull up their (environmentally-conscious) socks, the hosiery industry is weaving a greener future—one wind-powered stitch and water-saving thread at a time—even as discarded nylons still sneak their way into landfills.
Market Size and Forecast
- The global hosiery market was valued at USD 35.69 billion in 2021
- The global hosiery market is projected to reach USD 47.79 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2022 to 2028
- The men's hosiery segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% through 2028
- Compression hosiery is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.5% between 2022 and 2028
- The global socks market alone was valued at USD 42 billion in 2022
- The U.S. hosiery market size was valued at USD 7.8 billion in 2021
- The e-commerce segment for hosiery is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2030
- U.S. imports of hosiery and socks reached USD 8.6 billion in 2021
- Bamboo fiber socks represent a $1.2 billion segment globally
- Japan’s hosiery market was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2021
- Smart socks with health-monitoring technology represent a $680 million market by 2025
- Socks subscription box services grew by 33% annually from 2019-2022
- Over 500 million pairs of tights are produced each year worldwide
- The children’s hosiery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022-2027
- Performance-enhancing running socks now represent a $1.5 billion global market
- Baby socks market is worth over $950 million globally
- Custom-designed socks now represent a $420 million yearly industry
- The Turkish hosiery export market exceeded $750 million in 2021
- The global market for thermal socks is forecasted to exceed $1.9 billion by 2028
Interpretation
Once considered a mere wardrobe afterthought, hosiery has quietly threaded its way into a $47 billion global industry where even bamboo, babies, and biofeedback have found a sock-shaped niche.
Product Segments and Trends
- The socks segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 60% in 2021
- The women's hosiery segment accounted for over 65% of the market share in 2021
- 30% of global hosiery sales are driven by the athletic and sportswear segment
- Technological advances in 3D knitting have led to a 15% reduction in production costs for hosiery
- Between 2020 and 2022, the demand for men's ankle socks rose by 18%
- Organic cotton hosiery is seeing 7% annual growth since 2020
- Hosiery made with recycled materials grew in sales by 22% year-over-year in 2022
- U.S. sales of compression socks rose 25% from 2019 to 2021
- Polyester is the second most used material in hosiery products after cotton, representing 19% of usage
- Hosiery segment contributes 11% to the overall global apparel accessories market
- The plus-size socks segment is growing at 5.4% annually in North America
- The average pair of women’s luxury hosiery retails for $42 globally
- Hosiery accounted for 6.3% of total eCommerce clothing sales in the U.K. in 2021
- Outdoor socks segment grew by 12% in revenue post-pandemic due to hiking trends
- The no-show sock style remains the top-selling sock category since 2018 in the U.S.
- Yarn cost contributes about 35% to the overall cost of producing hosiery
- Socks with antimicrobial properties account for 13% of all functional socks sold globally
Interpretation
In a world where no-show socks quietly dominate wardrobes, women lead the charge in hosiery spending, sustainability strides with recycled fibers and organic cotton are reshaping production, and 3D knitting plus a rise in sporty and plus-size styles prove that even the humblest sock now walks a high-tech, high-demand runway.
Regional and Country Insights
- Asia Pacific held more than 40% share of the global hosiery market in 2021
- North America accounted for over 20% of the global market share in 2021
- China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of hosiery products globally
- India ranks among the top 5 global producers of socks and hosiery items
- Germany dominates the European hosiery market, contributing over 25% of regional revenue in 2021
- Italy produced 30% of all luxury hosiery items sold in Europe in 2021
- France exported over €620 million worth of hosiery goods in 2021
- In 2020, Egypt exported hosiery items worth USD 420 million
- In Brazil, the hosiery market is dominated by domestic manufacturers, who hold 78% market share
- Hosiery expenditure per capita in the UK was £18.30 in 2021
Interpretation
From continent-spanning production powerhouses like China and India to fashion-forward exporters like Italy and France, the global hosiery industry in 2021 revealed that when it comes to socks, stockings, and sheer style, Asia Pacific may lead the race, but every region has skin—or rather, nylon—in the game.
