According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for girls' apparel are 11.54% lower in 2026 versus 1988 (a $2.31 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2026:Girls' apparel experienced an average inflation rate of -0.32% per year. In other words, girls' apparel costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $17.69 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.69% during this same period, inflation for girls' apparel was significantly lower.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 4.59%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for girls' apparel during the 1988-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for girls' apparel was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Girls' apparel, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 4.59% |
| 1989 | $20.52 | 2.59% |
| 1990 | $21.44 | 4.52% |
| 1991 | $22.70 | 5.84% |
| 1992 | $23.50 | 3.54% |
| 1993 | $23.43 | -0.30% |
| 1994 | $23.23 | -0.85% |
| 1995 | $22.84 | -1.70% |
| 1996 | $22.60 | -1.04% |
| 1997 | $22.44 | -0.73% |
| 1998 | $22.03 | -1.81% |
| 1999 | $21.54 | -2.24% |
| 2000 | $21.27 | -1.22% |
| 2001 | $20.67 | -2.82% |
| 2002 | $20.37 | -1.48% |
| 2003 | $20.00 | -1.79% |
| 2004 | $19.79 | -1.08% |
| 2005 | $18.71 | -5.43% |
| 2006 | $18.06 | -3.49% |
| 2007 | $17.96 | -0.53% |
| 2008 | $17.50 | -2.58% |
| 2009 | $17.59 | 0.53% |
| 2010 | $16.94 | -3.67% |
| 2011 | $17.50 | 3.26% |
| 2012 | $18.33 | 4.74% |
| 2013 | $17.69 | -3.49% |
| 2014 | $17.59 | -0.54% |
| 2015 | $17.06 | -3.02% |
| 2016 | $16.98 | -0.50% |
| 2017 | $17.03 | 0.30% |
| 2018 | $16.88 | -0.85% |
| 2019 | $16.75 | -0.77% |
| 2020 | $16.88 | 0.80% |
| 2021 | $17.28 | 2.35% |
| 2022 | $17.85 | 3.32% |
| 2023 | $18.41 | 3.09% |
| 2024 | $18.41 | 0.04% |
| 2025 | $18.47 | 0.33% |
| 2026 | $17.69 | -4.24%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Girls' apparel:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 92.800 | 91.392 | 92.575 | 95.883 | 99.358 | 99.383 | 100.317 | 100.308 | 103.192 | 101.908 | 107.633 | 112.575 | 115.492 | 120.708 | 127.758 | 132.283 | 131.883 | 130.767 | 128.542 | 127.208 | 126.283 | 124.000 | 121.217 | 119.733 | 116.358 | 114.633 | 112.583 | 111.367 | 105.317 | 101.642 | 101.104 | 98.491 | 99.010 | 95.376 | 98.487 | 103.160 | 99.560 | 99.023 | 96.029 | 95.550 | 95.836 | 95.017 | 94.283 | 95.039 | 97.269 | 100.494 | 103.602 | 103.646 | 103.990 | 99.584 |