According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for women's apparel are 11.17% higher in 2026 versus 1981 (a $11.17 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2026:Women's apparel experienced an average inflation rate of 0.24% per year. In other words, women's apparel costing $100 in the year 1981 would cost $111.17 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.86% during this same period, inflation for women's apparel was lower.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 1.14%, which is above the average yearly change for women's apparel during the 1981-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for women's apparel was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Women's apparel, over time, for $100 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $100.00 | 1.14% |
| 1982 | $101.21 | 1.21% |
| 1983 | $103.10 | 1.86% |
| 1984 | $104.49 | 1.36% |
| 1985 | $108.37 | 3.71% |
| 1986 | $107.46 | -0.84% |
| 1987 | $114.14 | 6.22% |
| 1988 | $118.73 | 4.01% |
| 1989 | $120.05 | 1.11% |
| 1990 | $126.54 | 5.41% |
| 1991 | $131.29 | 3.76% |
| 1992 | $133.87 | 1.97% |
| 1993 | $136.64 | 2.06% |
| 1994 | $134.84 | -1.31% |
| 1995 | $130.37 | -3.31% |
| 1996 | $127.90 | -1.89% |
| 1997 | $129.81 | 1.49% |
| 1998 | $130.07 | 0.20% |
| 1999 | $127.34 | -2.10% |
| 2000 | $125.48 | -1.46% |
| 2001 | $123.37 | -1.68% |
| 2002 | $119.45 | -3.17% |
| 2003 | $116.44 | -2.53% |
| 2004 | $116.57 | 0.12% |
| 2005 | $115.12 | -1.24% |
| 2006 | $115.75 | 0.54% |
| 2007 | $115.35 | -0.34% |
| 2008 | $112.48 | -2.49% |
| 2009 | $113.15 | 0.60% |
| 2010 | $112.70 | -0.40% |
| 2011 | $114.61 | 1.70% |
| 2012 | $118.38 | 3.28% |
| 2013 | $119.63 | 1.06% |
| 2014 | $121.04 | 1.18% |
| 2015 | $117.77 | -2.70% |
| 2016 | $117.94 | 0.14% |
| 2017 | $117.59 | -0.29% |
| 2018 | $116.85 | -0.63% |
| 2019 | $112.44 | -3.77% |
| 2020 | $103.56 | -7.90% |
| 2021 | $104.57 | 0.98% |
| 2022 | $110.24 | 5.42% |
| 2023 | $113.62 | 3.07% |
| 2024 | $114.39 | 0.68% |
| 2025 | $113.91 | -0.42% |
| 2026 | $111.17 | -2.41%* |
* 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 Women'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 | 93.200 | 92.667 | 94.375 | 96.058 | 97.150 | 98.325 | 100.158 | 101.517 | 105.283 | 104.400 | 110.892 | 115.342 | 116.625 | 122.933 | 127.550 | 130.058 | 132.742 | 131.000 | 126.658 | 124.258 | 126.108 | 126.367 | 123.708 | 121.900 | 119.850 | 116.050 | 113.117 | 113.250 | 111.842 | 112.450 | 112.064 | 109.273 | 109.928 | 109.489 | 111.348 | 115.002 | 116.223 | 117.589 | 114.411 | 114.577 | 114.242 | 113.523 | 109.240 | 100.611 | 101.593 | 107.098 | 110.382 | 111.131 | 110.662 | 107.999 |