Total US retail sales of women’s clothing reached $121.8 billion in 2014, or an increase of 1.9% from 2013. Sales are expected to grow steadily through 2019, reaching $139 billion, or 14% higher versus 2014. The market will be supported by a growing female population and a strengthening economy in spite of continuing obesity rates. Consumers’ continued emphasis on savings, convenience, and selection are key factors that influence where, why, and how they shop. Women 18-34 are the most engaged in the category, concerned with being in style, and welcome to ideas and inspiration from others.

The purpose of this report is to identify behaviors and preferences among female shoppers when shopping for clothing. For the purposes of this report, Mintel has used the following definitions:

The report focuses on purchases adult women 18+ (vs teens) make for themselves (vs as gifts). While the report primarily focuses on women, some discussion of purchases by men is included.

Clothing in this report covers the following categories: jeans, pants/slacks, T-shirts, blouses, sweaters, dresses, skirts, jackets/coats, blazers, shorts, workout clothes (tops and bottoms).

Underwear, swimwear, sleepwear, hosiery, footwear, and accessories are excluded.

This report builds on the analysis presented in Mintel’s Women’s Clothes Shopping – US, October 2013, Women’s Attitudes Toward Clothes Shopping – US, December 2010 as well as Women’s Clothing – US, November 2007 and December 2005 reports.