US Back-to-School 2018: A Review of Fashion Trends and Apparel Spending

Executive Summary

This is the third and final report in our US Back-to-School series for 2018. Here, we review fashion trends and apparel spending expectations that will shape demand for clothing and footwear this back-to-school season.

• Apparel trends this year include distressed and embellished denim, graphics, prints and florals, and metallics.
• Per-shopper clothing spending is likely to be roughly flat year over year, but shoppers plan to spend more on shoes.
• School uniforms have seen growth, as more parents report their children’s schools requiring uniforms. More and more retailers are providing uniform solutions.