Hardcore discount-store shoppers, coupon-mavens, skintight household budgets, or the realization that fancy clothes really do not make the man? Whatever the cause, US clothing purchases are frequently quite frugal.
Eighteen percent of Americans revealed that their most expensive clothing item cost less than $50. Despite the requirements of a much harsher climate, Mid-Westerners seem to have the knack of budget clothing shopping with 22% owning a wardrobe containing items all priced below $50. This compares to only 13% in the West.
The gender gap was the big surprise of the study. Men either prefer to buy fewer and more expensive items, can’t find the bargains that women enjoy, or feel the need to splash the cash on expensive suits and tailoring. Whatever the reason men undoubtedly have more expensive items in their closets. Only 12% of men compared to 23% of women list $50 as their most expensive clothing item. Thirty-four percent of men own clothing costing upwards of $200 compared to only 18% of women.
Democrats are more likely to have lower budget items with 18% citing $50 as their upper limit, and only 24% having purchased clothing for $200 and above. Twelve percent of Republicans set their limit below $50, with 31% owning clothing worth $200 and beyond.
As we might expect, lower income households (30%) predominate, among those whose most expensive clothing purchase is less than $50. Only 2% of those with an income over $100,000 cite $50 or less as their most expensive clothing item.
The plurality of responders (30%), have items in their closets valued between $100 and $200. Forty-five percent of younger responders aged 18-29 have items between $100-$200, compared to only 20% of the over sixty-fives who skew heavily towards owning lower-priced clothing.
And what drives the expensive purchases? The most expensive clothing item in the closet for men is a suit, and for women the jacket or coat. Shoes and boots also rate high on the list of high-ticket items.
