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The current cost of living crisis is affecting the American closet and forcing dramatic changes in shopping according to a new survey by lukezionjewelry.com/ on consumer shopping habits and trends. 

While the average American owns enough clothes to create 135 different outfits, enough to last 4.5 months without repeating, and currently spends nearly $1,500 annually on clothing, 58% of respondents to the survey stated the current cost of living is forcing them to rethink the role of fashion in their budgets.

  • 61% say inflation has prevented them from having the wardrobe they want
  • Nearly 1 in 3 have been forced to buy more second-hand clothes
  • Nearly 1 in 5 plan “no-buy” challenges in 2025 to curb spending
  • 87% blame social media for driving fashion overconsumption

The cost of living has also spurred a new trend on social media where 57% are embracing “underconsumption,” or the act of minimizing new purchases in exchange for repairing or reusing existing items. 

To see the full survey breakdown by Luke Zion Jewelry, visit: https://lukezionjewelry.com/blogs/news/the-economics-of-style-americans-spend-1445-yearly-on-fashion