According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for men's apparel are 29.20% higher in 2026 versus 1983 (a $5.84 difference in value).
Between 1983 and 2026:Men's apparel experienced an average inflation rate of 0.60% per year. In other words, men's apparel costing $20 in the year 1983 would cost $25.84 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.78% during this same period, inflation for men's apparel was lower.
In the year 1983: Pricing changed by 2.45%, which is above the average yearly change for men's apparel during the 1983-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1983 (3.21%), inflation for men's apparel was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Men's apparel, over time, for $20 beginning in 1983. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | $20.00 | 2.45% |
| 1984 | $20.37 | 1.86% |
| 1985 | $20.99 | 3.01% |
| 1986 | $21.25 | 1.24% |
| 1987 | $22.04 | 3.74% |
| 1988 | $22.95 | 4.11% |
| 1989 | $23.78 | 3.64% |
| 1990 | $24.58 | 3.35% |
| 1991 | $25.36 | 3.17% |
| 1992 | $25.77 | 1.64% |
| 1993 | $25.93 | 0.59% |
| 1994 | $25.76 | -0.65% |
| 1995 | $25.64 | -0.45% |
| 1996 | $26.06 | 1.62% |
| 1997 | $26.58 | 2.00% |
| 1998 | $26.94 | 1.38% |
| 1999 | $26.86 | -0.31% |
| 2000 | $26.58 | -1.03% |
| 2001 | $25.74 | -3.18% |
| 2002 | $25.09 | -2.50% |
| 2003 | $24.37 | -2.86% |
| 2004 | $24.23 | -0.58% |
| 2005 | $24.23 | 0.01% |
| 2006 | $23.93 | -1.27% |
| 2007 | $23.60 | -1.38% |
| 2008 | $23.64 | 0.17% |
| 2009 | $23.68 | 0.19% |
| 2010 | $23.46 | -0.94% |
| 2011 | $23.91 | 1.93% |
| 2012 | $24.83 | 3.82% |
| 2013 | $25.29 | 1.88% |
| 2014 | $24.95 | -1.35% |
| 2015 | $24.75 | -0.82% |
| 2016 | $24.49 | -1.06% |
| 2017 | $24.25 | -0.96% |
| 2018 | $24.11 | -0.58% |
| 2019 | $24.01 | -0.41% |
| 2020 | $23.11 | -3.77% |
| 2021 | $23.59 | 2.11% |
| 2022 | $25.00 | 5.99% |
| 2023 | $25.91 | 3.62% |
| 2024 | $26.17 | 1.01% |
| 2025 | $26.50 | 1.27% |
| 2026 | $25.84 | -2.50%* |
* 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 Men's 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 | 84.300 | 84.142 | 85.517 | 89.317 | 94.167 | 97.775 | 100.167 | 102.033 | 105.100 | 106.408 | 110.383 | 114.917 | 119.100 | 123.092 | 126.992 | 129.075 | 129.842 | 129.000 | 128.425 | 130.500 | 133.108 | 134.942 | 134.517 | 133.125 | 128.892 | 125.667 | 122.075 | 121.367 | 121.375 | 119.833 | 118.176 | 118.380 | 118.608 | 117.493 | 119.763 | 124.332 | 126.674 | 124.970 | 123.950 | 122.635 | 121.452 | 120.745 | 120.248 | 115.718 | 118.156 | 125.229 | 129.763 | 131.072 | 132.739 | 129.419 |