TOP 20 FASHION PRODUCT RETURN RATE STATISTICS 2025
When I bought three different sizes of the same pair of jeans last month (and yes, returned two), I knew I wasn’t alone. The fashion industry has always wrestled with returns, but in 2025, it feels like the stakes have climbed even higher. These fashion product return rate statistics reveal just how complex online shopping has become—from trying to guess your fit to wondering whether those socks you ordered will actually match your style or just end up back in the mail. While brands scramble to innovate with AI sizing tools and stricter return policies, consumers are caught in a cycle of bracketing, disappointment, and convenience. This blog pulls together the most relevant and telling fashion product return rate statistics across categories—from lingerie to luxury—to help you better understand what’s happening behind the checkout button.
Top 20 Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics 2025 (Editor's Choice)
| # | Fashion Category | Estimated Return Rate (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apparel – general clothing | ~24–26% |
| 2 | Footwear (shoes) | ~17–35% |
| 3 | Accessories (bags, belts, etc.) | ~12% |
| 4 | Womenswear vs Menswear | Women’s clothing higher (~25%) |
| 5 | Fast-fashion fits | ~30–38% |
| 6 | Luxury fashion items | ~15–20% |
| 7 | Sportswear / activewear | ~20–25% |
| 8 | Outerwear (coats, jackets) | ~20–30% |
| 9 | Formalwear (dresses, suiting) | ~25–30% |
| 10 | Swimwear & lingerie | ~30–35% |
| 11 | Denim / jeans | ~20–25% |
| 12 | Plus-size fashion | ~25–30% |
| 13 | Children’s clothing | ~15–20% |
| 14 | Accessories fashion jewellery | ~10–15% |
| 15 | Hats / headwear | ~10–15% |
| 16 | Scarves / wraps | ~10–12% |
| 17 | Eyewear / sunglasses | ~10–15% |
| 18 | Maternity wear | ~20–25% |
| 19 | Footwear accessories (socks, insoles) | ~10–20% |
| 20 | Athleisure / hybrid wear | ~20–25% |
Top 20 Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics 2025
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#1. Apparel – General Clothing (~24–26%)
Apparel leads the fashion category in overall return rates, with approximately 24–26% of purchases sent back. This is largely due to sizing discrepancies, style preferences, and fabric expectations not matching reality. Online shoppers often bracket orders, purchasing multiple sizes to try at home. Poor product photography and inconsistent size charts contribute to dissatisfaction. Brands are now investing in AI-powered fit guides to combat rising return costs.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#2. Footwear (Shoes) (~17–35%)
Footwear sees return rates as high as 35%, though the average hovers around 17%. Shoes are particularly tricky due to comfort issues and size inconsistencies across brands. Online shoe returns also increase due to customers ordering multiple pairs to test at home. Style mismatches and quality surprises also contribute. Retailers like Zappos offer extended return windows to reduce buyer hesitation.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#![]()
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3. Accessories (Bags, Belts, etc.) (~12%)
Accessory items like handbags, belts, and gloves have a lower return rate of around 12%. These products are less dependent on sizing and generally have lower return risk. However, mismatched expectations with material quality or scale still lead to some dissatisfaction. Impulse purchases also increase return likelihood in this category. High-quality product visuals help reduce the issue.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#4. Womenswear vs Menswear (Women’s ~25%)
Women’s clothing tends to have a higher return rate than menswear, averaging around 25%. The wider range of styles, cuts, and silhouettes contributes to this trend. Fit issues are more prevalent in women's fashion due to varied body shapes and tighter tailoring. Men’s fashion, often more standard in cut, sees fewer returns. Brands targeting female shoppers are investing heavily in fit technology to reduce waste.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#5. Fast-Fashion Fits (~30–38%)
Fast fashion is particularly return-prone, with return rates climbing to 38% in some brands. The rapid turnover and inconsistent sizing often disappoint buyers once items arrive. Lower quality materials can also feel cheap compared to imagery. Customers also frequently order trendy items impulsively, then return them after second thoughts. This trend is costly for brands operating on thin margins.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#6. Luxury Fashion Items (~15–20%)
Luxury fashion experiences a relatively lower return rate of about 15–20%. Buyers in this segment are more deliberate and researched in their purchases. Higher price tags also discourage bracketing and impulsive returns. That said, fit and authenticity concerns still cause some returns. Many luxury brands now offer virtual try-on features and stylists to reduce dissatisfaction.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#7. Sportswear / Activewear (~20–25%)
Sportswear return rates fall in the 20–25% range, mainly due to tight fit preferences. Items like leggings, compression shirts, and bras are heavily affected by sizing. The functionality and performance of activewear can also be a return factor. Customers frequently compare multiple brands for comfort and feel. Retailers often respond with liberal return policies for this growing category.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#8. Outerwear (Coats, Jackets) (~20–30%)
Outerwear sees return rates of 20–30% due to style and layering needs. Buyers often struggle to judge warmth, weight, or fit without trying on. Large ticket items are also more carefully scrutinized, increasing return likelihood. Bulky packaging also raises logistics costs for returns. Retailers that provide detailed measurements and user reviews reduce return volumes.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#9. Formalwear (Dresses, Suiting) (~25–30%)
Formalwear experiences high returns, around 25–30%, largely due to poor fit. Items like dresses, gowns, and suits require precision sizing, which is difficult online. Customers often order several versions for events and return the rest. Color mismatches and fabric drape also influence returns. Personalized tailoring and virtual fitting rooms are growing solutions.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#10. Swimwear & Lingerie (~30–35%)
Swimwear and lingerie return rates hover between 30–35%, some of the highest in fashion. These items require exact fit and comfort, which is hard to judge without trying on. Hygiene concerns complicate returns, but many still go back due to poor sizing. Bracketing behavior is rampant, especially in swim collections. More brands now offer virtual body scans to combat this issue.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#11. Denim / Jeans (~20–25%)
Jeans and denim products average a 20–25% return rate, mainly due to inconsistent sizing across styles. Denim has unique stretch, rise, and waist ratios that make online shopping difficult. Even seasoned buyers struggle with fit in different cuts like skinny, bootcut, or boyfriend jeans. Color fade or wash expectations also trigger returns. Retailers who offer personalized fit guides see fewer send-backs.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#12. Plus-Size Fashion (~25–30%)
Plus-size clothing experiences a high return rate around 25–30% due to limited standardization. Many brands still lack inclusive design for different body proportions. The lack of accurate product photos or reviews from plus-size models leads to unmet expectations. Sizing up or down becomes a guessing game. Demand for inclusive and precise size charts continues to grow.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#13. Children’s Clothing (~15–20%)
Children’s fashion sees moderate returns at around 15–20%. Fast growth in children makes sizing especially tricky for parents. Also, kids may reject styles based on comfort or preference. Seasonal items like jackets or costumes often get returned when sizing misjudged. Subscription-based kidswear services help reduce sizing guesswork and thus returns.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#14. Accessories – Fashion Jewellery (~10–15%)
Fashion jewellery returns are lower than apparel, averaging about 10–15%. Items are lightweight, sizing isn’t an issue, and prices are often low enough to discourage returns. However, quality perceptions and tarnishing concerns can still drive dissatisfaction. Visual appeal not matching product in person is a key factor. Many buyers simply gift unwanted pieces rather than return.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#15. Hats / Headwear (~10–15%)
Hat and headwear returns fall in the 10–15% range. The main reason is fit and head shape compatibility, which is hard to guess online. Styles like bucket hats or fedoras can look different in person, leading to style-based returns. Color mismatch also plays a role. Brands now increasingly offer head circumference guides.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#16. Scarves / Wraps (~10–12%)
Scarves and wraps have some of the lowest return rates in fashion, around 10–12%. These accessories are versatile and generally one-size-fits-all. Texture and color deviation are the biggest reasons for returns. Material sensitivity, especially in wool or cashmere, can also be a factor. Proper product descriptions and fabric close-ups reduce issues.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#17. Eyewear / Sunglasses (~10–15%)
Eyewear returns range from 10–15%, mostly due to face-fit and style concerns. Glasses that look good online may not suit every face shape. In prescription glasses, wrong power or frame size adds complexity. Virtual try-on apps are reducing these mismatches. However, luxury sunglasses still face style-driven returns.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#18. Maternity Wear (~20–25%)
Maternity fashion has a 20–25% return rate due to fast-changing body sizes. Pregnant buyers often size up or order multiple sizes to accommodate growth. Comfort is also a top reason for returns. Styles that don’t drape well over a bump often go back. Flexible fabrics and adjustable features help reduce this rate.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#19. Footwear Accessories (Socks, Insoles) (~10–20%)
Items like socks and insoles see a moderate 10–20% return rate. Sizing is still a challenge with insoles, especially arch support or cushioning comfort. Socks get returned mostly due to incorrect fit or color mismatch. Multipacks can reduce returns as buyers have backup options. Quality descriptions help customers make more accurate choices.
Fashion Product Return Rate Statistics#20. Athleisure / Hybrid Wear (~20–25%)
Athleisure sits at a 20–25% return rate, driven by both style and function. These clothes double as casual and gym wear, so expectations are high. Comfort and fit around waistbands or fabric tightness often disappoint. Many customers compare brands like Lululemon, Alo, and Gymshark side-by-side. Retailers are responding with more forgiving sizing and free return shipping.
Behind Every Return Is a Story
Fashion returns aren’t just numbers—they’re reflections of evolving consumer behavior, rising expectations, and the digital gap between product pages and real-life experience. From the 35% return rate on swimwear to the surprisingly low 12% for scarves, each stat speaks volumes about how we shop, what we value, and where brands are falling short. While tools like virtual try-ons and AI-fit suggestions are helping, there’s still a long road ahead to truly reduce friction. For brands, these insights offer an opportunity—not just to cut losses—but to genuinely improve the customer experience. Because at the end of the day, keeping the purchase should feel just as easy as clicking “buy.”
SOURCES
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https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/average-retail-return-rate/
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https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/state-of-fashion
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https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/consumers/haul-culture-is-fuelling-returns-what-can-brands-do
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https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/want-to-reduce-returns-avatars-might-be-the-answer
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/35561410/asos-returns-change-bad-news/