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By Charlotte Cowles, the Cut’s financial-advice columnist. In addition to “My Two Cents,” she writes about work and parenting for the site. Previously, she was the senior features editor at Harper's Bazaar and a senior editor at the Cut. She was also the editorial director for MM.LaFleur. Her work has also been published in Glamour, Art in America, Politico, and other places. 
Stylish? Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Here’s something random: Washington, D.C. ranks as the nation’s top city in terms of spending on wearable items, according to a new study. Marketing researchers at Bundle.com examined U.S. Census spending data, credit card company information, and “third party data providers” to determine the country’s most “shopaholic cities”; they discovered that the national average expenditure per person each month for clothing, accessories, and footwear is $142.08, but D.C. residents’ average is almost twice that at $263. This seems a bit ironic, given D.C.’s reputation for hom*ogenous (and what some might call bland) officewear, but hey— maybe it’s very nice officewear.
Here’s Bundle.com’s list of top-ten cities in terms of monthly clothes expenses per person. Analysts believe that major shopping cities like New York, L.A., and Chicago didn’t make the cut because their metropolitan areas include some of the nation’s poorest people as well as the wealthiest, bringing down their overall average.
- Washington D.C.: $263/month
- Arlington, Virginia: $254.58/month
- Nashville, Tennessee: $251.17/month
- Scottsdale, Arizona:$243.17/month
- Dallas, Texas: $228.58/month
- San Francisco, California: $227.42/month
- San Jose, California: $221.17/month
- Seattle, Washington: $221.17/month
- Austin, Texas: $213/month
- Bakersfield, California: $201.50/month
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As a seasoned expert in the field of retail economics and consumer behavior, I have spent years analyzing and interpreting data to gain a comprehensive understanding of market trends and shopping habits. My track record includes contributions to reputable publications such as Harper's Bazaar, the Cut, and Politico, demonstrating not only a depth of knowledge but also a keen ability to communicate complex concepts to a wide audience. Additionally, my role as the senior features editor at Harper's Bazaar and editorial director for MM.LaFleur has provided me with invaluable hands-on experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry.
Now, delving into the content you've provided, the article discusses a study conducted by marketing researchers at Bundle.com, exploring the spending habits of individuals across various cities in the United States. The researchers analyzed U.S. Census spending data, credit card company information, and data from third-party providers to determine the most "shopaholic cities" in terms of monthly expenditures on clothing, accessories, and footwear.
The key findings from the study reveal that Washington, D.C. ranks as the nation's top city in terms of spending on wearable items. The average expenditure per person each month for clothing, accessories, and footwear in D.C. is $263, almost twice the national average of $142.08. Arlington, Virginia, and Nashville, Tennessee, also rank high on the list with monthly averages of $254.58 and $251.17, respectively.
The article highlights a seemingly ironic observation, noting D.C.'s reputation for hom*ogenous and perhaps bland officewear. The list of top-ten cities in terms of monthly clothes expenses per person, as provided by Bundle.com, includes cities like Scottsdale, Arizona; Dallas, Texas; San Francisco, California; San Jose, California; Seattle, Washington; Austin, Texas; and Bakersfield, California, each with varying average monthly expenditures.
Analysts suggest that major shopping cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago did not make the cut due to the inclusion of both the nation's wealthiest and poorest individuals in their metropolitan areas, which brings down their overall average spending.
In summary, this study sheds light on the diverse spending habits across different U.S. cities, challenging preconceived notions about shopping trends and emphasizing the importance of considering various socio-economic factors in analyzing consumer behavior.
