According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for women's apparel are 7.40% lower in 2026 versus 1989 (a $7.40 difference in value).
Between 1989 and 2026:Women's apparel experienced an average inflation rate of -0.21% per year. In other words, women's apparel costing $100 in the year 1989 would cost $92.60 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.63% during this same period, inflation for women's apparel was lower.
In the year 1989: Pricing changed by 1.11%, which is above the average yearly change for women's apparel during the 1989-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1989 (4.83%), 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 1989. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | $100.00 | 1.11% |
| 1990 | $105.41 | 5.41% |
| 1991 | $109.37 | 3.76% |
| 1992 | $111.52 | 1.97% |
| 1993 | $113.82 | 2.06% |
| 1994 | $112.33 | -1.31% |
| 1995 | $108.60 | -3.31% |
| 1996 | $106.55 | -1.89% |
| 1997 | $108.13 | 1.49% |
| 1998 | $108.35 | 0.20% |
| 1999 | $106.07 | -2.10% |
| 2000 | $104.52 | -1.46% |
| 2001 | $102.77 | -1.68% |
| 2002 | $99.51 | -3.17% |
| 2003 | $96.99 | -2.53% |
| 2004 | $97.11 | 0.12% |
| 2005 | $95.90 | -1.24% |
| 2006 | $96.42 | 0.54% |
| 2007 | $96.09 | -0.34% |
| 2008 | $93.70 | -2.49% |
| 2009 | $94.26 | 0.60% |
| 2010 | $93.88 | -0.40% |
| 2011 | $95.48 | 1.70% |
| 2012 | $98.61 | 3.28% |
| 2013 | $99.66 | 1.06% |
| 2014 | $100.83 | 1.18% |
| 2015 | $98.10 | -2.70% |
| 2016 | $98.24 | 0.14% |
| 2017 | $97.96 | -0.29% |
| 2018 | $97.34 | -0.63% |
| 2019 | $93.67 | -3.77% |
| 2020 | $86.27 | -7.90% |
| 2021 | $87.11 | 0.98% |
| 2022 | $91.83 | 5.42% |
| 2023 | $94.65 | 3.07% |
| 2024 | $95.29 | 0.68% |
| 2025 | $94.89 | -0.42% |
| 2026 | $92.60 | -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 |