Thanks to market analysis, businesses can discover the pool of opportunities available in the female fashion industry. This market data can help brands tailor their strategy and make informed decisions, which can drive revenues and growth.
This article draws insights from the latest market data to provide a comprehensive view of the women’s fashion market, as well highlighting the main trends for women’s spring apparel. This will allow businesses to optimize their inventory to get the most from this shifting demand.
Table of Contents
Overview of the market for women’s fashion
Female spring fashion: 5 trendy styles women will love
The bottom line
Overview of the market for women’s fashion
The revenue market size of women’s clothing
The global market for women and girls’ clothing was estimated at US $645 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach a size of about US $781 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%.
Global women’s wear in its entirety was valued at about US $1,386 billion in 2018 and between 2019 to 2025 it is expected to have a CAGR of 4.7%. The growth is credited to the continuous endorsements by celebrities, fashion statements by enthusiasts, and marketing in magazines–and the market doesn’t look like it will be slowing down soon.
Product mix: a report of the market share
Tops, bottoms, and dresses in the UK and US
Tops, bottoms, and dresses had the highest percentage sales in both the UK and US from 2020 to 2022—according to reports from WGSN eCommerce.
However, since the early spring/summer season of 2022, dresses have experienced a massive surge in sales. This is because female shoppers appear to have picked up more interest in them—making them the second fastest growing women’s apparel item after tops.
The above graph highlights that t-shirts remain the most bought fashion item, even though they experienced a small decline in both the UK and the US.
T-shirts in the UK
Despite the slight drop in numbers, the data still shows that t-shirts have the highest consumer purchase intent in the UK. In other words, more people are willing to buy more t-shirts than any other apparel on the market.
Trousers & Pants
Trousers and pants have the largest share of bottoms in the survey report because of the heightened customer interest in workwear and tailoring styles.
Jackets and coats in the US & UK
Jackets and coats are the key drivers of outwear apparels, with sales increasing in both the UK and US. Practical coats like padded jackets and puffers are both experiencing a surge in demand as outdoor wear continues to rise in popularity.
Discounting
According to data from WGSN, the sales volume for female apparel initially dwindled but then maintained steady growth in 2021, and then picked up significantly by April 2022.
Within this period, jumpsuits and dresses were the most discounted products. But as the demand for dresses increased, the need for discounting dropped drastically, and sellers had more opportunities to eliminate the discounts.
Taken together, these insights show how retail trends shift quickly, and prove that businesses can take advantage of these changes to jump on the opportunities as soon as they arise.
Female spring fashion: 5 trendy styles women will love
Based on the above data from 2020-21, here are five highly sought after spring trends that are set to experience huge demand amongst female consumers in the UK, the U.S., and globally.
Smart cargo trousers
Cargo pants have been one of the most coveted choices for outdoor streetwear since late 2021. This year, they remain one of the top trends and picks for women. They are both durable, as they are made from quick-drying synthetic cotton blends, and comfortable to wear. These pants in particular give off a casual and simple look, which is set to be a favorite this season.
Cargo pants also come in several variations, like those with elastic ankles. They can be paired well with sports bras or tank tops. And women can also rock these trendy cargos with button-up shirts if the idea is to look classy while maintaining a casual feel.
Some cargo pants feature elastic waistbands instead of belt holes, while others come with drawstrings or zippers. This means there are a lot of options to cater to the preference of consumers. For example, pairing these cargo pants with a black or white top can match any other color—as they are neutral and blend well with everything else.
Puff-sleeve blouses
The puff-sleeve blouse is a trend that is here to stay. Made from fabrics such as cotton and organza, the design adds a ‘puff’ to the sleeve pattern along the shoulder seam to create volume and fullness.
The blouse in the image above features an open-back puff sleeve which is both simple and easy to wear, while these blouses could potentially be paired with denim pants or shorts. They could also match well with long skirts.
Boyfriend shirts
The boyfriend shirt is an old-time classic and favorite amongst women. The trend features an oversized shirt, which looks like it was borrowed from a significant other.
These shirts come in different fabrics and styles. A popular choice is the high-quality fabric version made from pure organic cotton.
Other common choices are flannel and almost always long-sleeved shirts. They come in various colors and styles like plain shirts, checkered patterns, and even floral designs. The sleeves could be folded up to the elbows or left to cover the arms completely.
The image above features a rather unorthodox collarless V-neck boyfriend shirt. Depending on customer preference, it has buttons and can be tied at the bottom or left at full length. It looks beautiful when paired with denim trousers and chinos.
Suit jacket and jeans
Classy has never looked as sassy as with these suit combos, which many women love. And considering the numerous styles and fabrics for suit jackets and jeans, the possible combinations are endless.
The suit jacket’s length also adds room to customize the look, as jackets can either be traditional thigh-length or adjusted to have a more trench coat feel with the hem reaching the knees.
Inner shirts that work well with this are plain or checkered buttoned shirts. Combining turtlenecks with jackets such as these also helps to add to the classy feel.
White maxi dresses
The white maxi dress style is an exquisite fashion staple usually associated with spring/summer occasions and events.
These dresses tend to be made from materials like cotton and linen, which are breathable and light on the skin to maximize comfort and durability.
Image source: Pinterest.com
Other maxi dresses are made to look like gowns and robes but can still capture that formal outdoorsy look. They may also come with high-slit designs, which are a popular option for most women’s dresses.
With such simple elegance, it’s no wonder that women find maxi dresses so utterly irresistible.
The bottom line
The industry for women’s apparel never falls short of demand because trends are always evolving and there’s always something new on offer. This article has therefore explored some key insights from market data to find the women’s apparel trends that are bound to be popular this year.
Whether it’s the boyfriend shirt for ladies to sleep in or take a walk to the beach, cargo pants for when ladies want to hang out with their girls, or the puff-sleeve shirt for friendly gatherings and family reunions, there’s certainly something for everyone.
On the fancier side of things, there are suit jackets and jeans for business meetings and seminars, and maxi dresses for buffets and wine tastings–-so no matter what the occasion, there are exciting options out there for one’s catalog, and the demand to match it.
