Good question, right? It's puzzling because I could see it going so many ways. Maybe when we're younger, buying cheap pieces for both work and socializing that need replacing fairly quickly (remember "going-out tops" being their own category?). Or is it when we're a little older and have more established careers and bigger paychecks that allow us to splash out on an expensive piece here and there. A team at Sumocoupon punched the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual Consumer Expenditure Survey and got the answer.
We ladies are most likely to spend the most on clothing between the ages of 55 and 64. The number's always changing as we get closer to the end of the year, but as I type this, the annual amount is sitting at $1,220. The next highest amount belongs to the 65 to 74 range (currently $1,037), and then the groups 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 are tied at $1,007. While recent college grads and young workers spend the least, $854 per year on average, it's the highest percentage of their annual income—3.46. You won't be shocked to hear that men spend way less per year on clothes than we do, but know that the age breakdown is the same for them. They also charge the most between 55 and 64 (though just $610).
I'm actually surprised by these findings. I would have guessed we spend the most in our 40s, when you're likely at a professional level that requires a certain amount of polish and have the paycheck that can afford some designer clothes. See all the results here.
What about you? When would you have guessed that we spend the most on clothes? Do you spend more or less than the average for your age range? (I'm most definitely more...)
