According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for women's apparel are 11.55% lower in 2024 versus 1998 (a $11.55 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2024: Women's apparel experienced an average inflation rate of -0.47% per year. In other words, women's apparel costing $100 in the year 1998 would cost $88.45 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for women's apparel was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 0.21%, which is above the average yearly change for women's apparel during the 1998-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for women's apparel was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Women's apparel, over time, for $100 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $100.00 | 0.21% |
| 1999 | $97.89 | -2.11% |
| 2000 | $96.46 | -1.46% |
| 2001 | $94.84 | -1.68% |
| 2002 | $91.84 | -3.17% |
| 2003 | $89.51 | -2.53% |
| 2004 | $89.62 | 0.12% |
| 2005 | $88.50 | -1.25% |
| 2006 | $88.99 | 0.55% |
| 2007 | $88.68 | -0.35% |
| 2008 | $86.47 | -2.49% |
| 2009 | $86.99 | 0.60% |
| 2010 | $86.64 | -0.40% |
| 2011 | $88.11 | 1.70% |
| 2012 | $91.00 | 3.28% |
| 2013 | $91.97 | 1.06% |
| 2014 | $93.05 | 1.18% |
| 2015 | $90.54 | -2.70% |
| 2016 | $90.67 | 0.14% |
| 2017 | $90.40 | -0.29% |
| 2018 | $89.83 | -0.63% |
| 2019 | $86.45 | -3.77% |
| 2020 | $79.62 | -7.90% |
| 2021 | $80.39 | 0.98% |
| 2022 | $84.75 | 5.42% |
| 2023 | $87.35 | 3.07% |
| 2024 | $88.45 | 1.26%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 93.200 | 92.669 | 94.377 | 96.054 | 97.154 | 98.323 | 100.154 | 101.515 | 105.285 | 104.400 | 110.892 | 115.338 | 116.623 | 122.931 | 127.554 | 130.062 | 132.738 | 131.000 | 126.662 | 124.262 | 126.108 | 126.369 | 123.708 | 121.900 | 119.854 | 116.054 | 113.115 | 113.254 | 111.838 | 112.454 | 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 | 111.775 |