Changes in Household Clothing Expenditure in South Korea Before, During, and After COVID-19

COVID-19 in 2020 triggered significant social and economic changes as it transitioned into a long-term phase, altering consumer behavior across various industries. In South Korea, the average propensity to consume dropped sharply following the outbreak, significantly reducing consumer expenditures. As discretionary consumer goods, fashion products were particularly affected, posing severe challenges for the fashion industry. This study examines changes in clothing expenditures among Korean households across three phases: ① Pre-COVID-19, ② during COVID-19, and ③ post-COVID-19 period. The analysis utilizes raw data from the &quotHousehold Income and Expenditure Survey&quot (2010–2023) and Consumer Price Index data from Statistics Korea. The findings reveal that clothing expenditure dropped sharply early in the pandemic and, despite some recovery from 2021, remained below pre-COVID-19 levels in 2023. Clothing expenditure recovered more slowly than other discretionary categories like dining out and cultural expenses, indicating its lower priority in consumer spending. Clothing expenditure patterns varied by income level after COVID-19, with low-income households recovering by 2023, middle-income households remaining below pre-pandemic levels, and high-income households experiencing a decline after a temporary increase. This study results indicate that COVID-19 brought about a structural change (contraction) in Korean consumers' clothing consumption as a luxury good.