Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global women's apparel market was valued at approximately $915 billion in 2023
The women's apparel market is projected to reach over $1.2 trillion by 2027
In 2022, women's apparel accounted for nearly 55% of total global apparel sales
The U.S. women's apparel market generated revenues of over $180 billion in 2022
Online sales comprise over 35% of total women's apparel purchases in the U.S. as of 2023
The average American woman spends approximately $1,400 annually on clothing
Over 70% of women’s apparel shoppers say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions
The resale market for women’s fashion is projected to double in size between 2023 and 2027
Activewear represents about 20% of the total women's apparel market in the U.S.
The global women’s luxury apparel segment was valued at $91 billion in 2022
Shein was the most visited fast fashion website worldwide in 2023, with over 200 million visits per month
Over 60% of women in the U.S. wear a size 14 or above, contributing to the booming plus-size apparel sector
The U.S. women's plus-size apparel market was valued at around $30 billion in 2022
Consumer Behavior and Spending
- The average American woman spends approximately $1,400 annually on clothing
- Over 70% of women’s apparel shoppers say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions
- Over 60% of women in the U.S. wear a size 14 or above, contributing to the booming plus-size apparel sector
- 72% of female millennials prefer brands that align with their personal values
- 42% of U.S. women say comfort is their top priority in clothing
- The average lifespan of a woman’s garment in the U.S. is less than 3 years
- 87% of women globally have made an online fashion purchase in the last year
- Female consumers drive 80% of overall fashion purchasing decisions
- 75% of American women prefer shopping for clothes online over in-store
- Instagram is the leading social platform influencing women’s fashion purchases
- TikTok drove over $500 million in women’s fashion sales in 2022 through #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt
- 90% of women say fit is the most important factor when buying clothes
- Women shop for new clothing items on average every 2-3 months
- 35% of U.S. women report frustration with sizing inconsistencies across brands
- Over 50% of returned online fashion purchases by women relate to poor fit
- 48% of Gen Z women say they are more likely to buy clothes from a brand with diverse models
- 30% of women aged 18–34 have purchased clothing through social commerce
- 78% of apparel purchases by women are impulse buys
- 47% of women prefer stylists or AI suggestions when shopping online
- 65% of women aged 18–24 want their fashion brands to address mental health issues
- 68% of U.S. women feel brands don't represent their body type
- 62% of women consider price the top factor in fashion purchases
- 24% of women subscribe to fashion rental services like Rent the Runway
- 52% of U.S. women age 25-34 purchase fashion monthly
- Over 80% of working women require business attire, fueling officewear sales
- Women outspend men 2-to-1 in fashion annually
- Stitch Fix’s female clients make up more than 80% of its revenue
- 29% of women now buy clothing secondhand
- Black women are 2.5 times more likely to purchase from inclusive brands
- 85% of all clothing purchases in the U.S. are made by women
- 54% of Gen Z women buy fashion from sustainable or eco-friendly brands
- Influencer marketing drives 55% of social fashion discovery for women under 30
- 75% of women say brand ethics impact their clothing purchasing decisions
- 33% of American women have bought fashion from a brand new to them in the last month
- Over 90% of female shoppers expect free returns on fashion items
- 53% of women follow fashion influencers for trend updates
- 80% of wedding dress purchases are made during in-store visits
- The average U.S. wedding dress costs $1,900 in 2023
- American women own an average of 30 outfits
Interpretation
In a fast-fashion world shaped by values, fit frustrations, and Instagram likes, the American woman—who owns 30 outfits, drops $1,400 a year, and buys every 2–3 months—seeks style that reflects her soul, supports her size, soothes her conscience, and still shows up with free returns.
E-commerce and Digital Trends
- Online sales comprise over 35% of total women's apparel purchases in the U.S. as of 2023
- Shein was the most visited fast fashion website worldwide in 2023, with over 200 million visits per month
- Digital fitting rooms have increased conversion rates by 30% for women’s apparel brands
- Vintage women’s fashion grew 33% in online resale platforms usage in 2023
- Mobile devices account for 64% of women’s fashion e-commerce traffic
- 80% of women’s fashion brands use Instagram as their primary marketing platform
- Online returns in women’s apparel cost U.S. retailers $39 billion annually
Interpretation
In a digital age where smartphones are fitting rooms and Instagram is the runway, women’s fashion is booming online—from Shein’s global dominance to vintage’s stylish comeback—but with $39 billion in returns, the perfect fit still comes at a staggering cost.
Industry Players and Competition
- International fast fashion firms dominate 45% of US women's apparel market
Interpretation
With international fast fashion firms claiming nearly half of the U.S. women's apparel market, it seems America's wardrobe is increasingly stitched with global threads—and racing to keep pace.
Market Size and Growth
- The global women's apparel market was valued at approximately $915 billion in 2023
- The women's apparel market is projected to reach over $1.2 trillion by 2027
- The U.S. women's apparel market generated revenues of over $180 billion in 2022
- The resale market for women’s fashion is projected to double in size between 2023 and 2027
- The global women’s luxury apparel segment was valued at $91 billion in 2022
- The U.S. women's plus-size apparel market was valued at around $30 billion in 2022
- Sustainable women’s fashion brands grew revenue 25% faster than traditional peers in 2022
- Subscription box services for women's fashion are expected to surpass $7B in 2025
- There are over 30 million female garment workers worldwide
- North America holds 26% of the global women’s apparel market share
- E-commerce in the women’s sector accounted for $200 billion in revenue in 2022
- China accounts for 27% of women’s apparel market revenue globally
- The women’s denim market was worth $55 billion in 2022
- The maternity wear market is projected to exceed $24 billion by 2025
- Women’s shapewear market expected to exceed $6.5 billion by 2027
- The women's swimwear market will reach $9.4 billion globally by 2026
- Women's footwear accounted for $80.4 billion of global sales in 2022
- The cocktail and evening dress segment experienced 14% growth in 2022
- The eco-friendly women’s apparel category grew 60% from 2017 to 2022
- Women's intimate apparel market is valued at $82 billion globally
Interpretation
From luxury labels to resale racks, eco-conscious cotton to algorithm-picked subscription boxes, the $915 billion women’s apparel industry proves that fashion is not only big business—it’s booming, diversifying, and increasingly driven by the complex, powerful preferences of women across the globe.
Product Segments
- In 2022, women's apparel accounted for nearly 55% of total global apparel sales
- Activewear represents about 20% of the total women's apparel market in the U.S.
- Polyester makes up 60% of total fabric used in women’s fashion worldwide
- The fashion industry contributes to about 10% of global carbon emissions, with women’s clothing being a significant portion
- Fast fashion brands release new women’s clothing styles every 2 weeks on average
- Zara derives approximately 70% of its sales from women’s fashion
- Left unsold, 30% of all produced women's fashion items are wasted or discarded
- 40% of global fashion manufacturing labor is focused on women’s apparel
- Fast fashion makes up 64% of women’s apparel sold globally
- Denim jeans remain the top-selling women’s apparel item in 2023
Interpretation
In a world where women’s fashion drives over half of global apparel sales and fuels both fast trends and climate concerns, it seems the industry is tailor-made for profit—but often at the expense of the planet, the workers, and a closet full of unworn polyester.