I think that one of the explanations for this is that clothing purchases are often driven by in-person retail shopping, usually at malls and department stores -

I think that one of the explanations for this is that clothing purchases are often driven by in-person retail shopping, usually at malls and department stores - both of which are becoming barren, lifeless wastes. When I was a kid, we'd kill time hanging out at the mall. My parents did too. You know what would happen when we went to the mall? We'd wind up shopping, sometimes buying stuff, often clothes.