In 2013, the average American household spent approximately $1,800 on clothing and shoes, which is 3.5% of their household income. In 1960, the average American household spent the equivalent to $4,000 today, which was over 10% of their income.
Despite the smaller percentage spent on clothes today, Americans are buying a LOT more items of clothing! In 1960, Americans bought about 25 clothing items each year and today people buy about 70 pieces of clothing per person. This equates to 20 billion garments purchased annually, averaging a new purchase every 4-5 days.
In 1960 95% of the clothing purchases were made in the United States. Today, 2% of American clothing purchases are made in the United States.
info from Stuffocation + NPR. image from @beckykimball
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