What industry does underwear belong to? ——Analysis of the market status and development trends of the underwear industry
As an important segment of the apparel industry, underwear has shown a rapid growth trend globally in recent years. As consumer demands for comfort, functionality and fashion continue to rise, the underwear industry continues to evolve and innovate. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to conduct an in-depth analysis of the classification, market status and future development trends of the underwear industry.
1. Classification of underwear industry

The underwear industry is a subdivision of the apparel industry, which can be classified specifically intoTextile and apparel manufacturingorIntimate apparel industry. According to different product functions and uses, the underwear industry can be further subdivided into the following subcategories:
| Classification | Main products | Features |
|---|---|---|
| basic underwear | Bras, panties, vests, suspenders | Focus on comfort and functionality |
| sports bra | Sports bra, sports underwear | Emphasis on support and breathability |
| Shapewear | Shaping garments, corsets, butt lifting pants | Focus on shaping and modifying the body |
| Sexy lingerie | Lace underwear, sexy pajamas | Highlight fashion and personalized design |
2. Market status of the underwear industry
According to recent market data and hot topics, the underwear industry shows the following characteristics:
1.Market size continues to grow: The global underwear market size is expected to reach 2023$50 billion, the annual growth rate is about 5%-7%. As one of the world's largest underwear consumer markets, China's annual sales have exceeded200 billion yuan.
2.Diversified consumer demands: In recent years, consumers’ demand for underwear has shifted from single functionality to comfort, health and personalization. Products such as wire-free bras, seamless underwear, and environmentally friendly material underwear have become hot spots in the market.
3.Brand competition intensifies: Competition between international brands (such as Victoria's Secret, CK) and local brands (such as Cosmopolitan, Inside and Out) is becoming increasingly fierce. Emerging brands are rising rapidly through differentiated design and social media marketing.
| Brand type | Represent the brand | Market Share (Estimated 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| international brand | Victoria's Secret, CK, Wacoal | about 35% |
| local traditional brand | City Beauty, Adoration, Embry | about 40% |
| Emerging Internet Brands | Inside and outside, Ubras, Jiao Nei | about 25% |
3. Development Trends of Underwear Industry
Combined with recent hot topics, the future development trends of the underwear industry are mainly focused on the following aspects:
1.Sustainable fashion goes mainstream: The application of environmentally friendly materials (such as organic cotton and recycled fibers) and low-carbon production models have become the focus of brand promotion. For example, a well-known brand’s recently launched “zero-carbon underwear” series has attracted widespread attention.
2.Technology empowers product innovation: Smart underwear (such as sports bras with built-in sensors) and 3D printing technology are gradually entering the market, providing users with more accurate health data support and personalized customized services.
3.The proportion of online channels increased: With the development of live streaming e-commerce and social media, online sales of underwear products account for more than 50%. Short video platforms have become an important position for brand marketing.
4.Inclusion and Diversity: The brand began to pay attention to the needs of different body types, ages and genders, launched segmented products such as plus-size underwear and nursing underwear, and advocated the concept of "body freedom".
4. Summary
As an important part of the textile and apparel manufacturing industry, the underwear industry is undergoing a transformation from tradition to modernity. With the upgrading of consumer demands and technological advancement, the underwear industry has huge potential for future development. Brands need to keep up with market trends and focus on product innovation and user experience in order to stand out in the fierce competition.
Through the analysis of this article, we can clearly see that underwear is not only a functional consumer category, but also an important carrier that reflects social culture and fashion trends. In the future, the underwear industry will continue to develop in the direction of diversification, technology and sustainability.
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