South Korea Apparel Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Formal Wear, Casual Wear, Sports Wear, Safety Wear, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), and South Korea Apparel Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035.

South Korea Apparel Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The South Korea Apparel Market Size was estimated at USD 38.57 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 1.11% from 2025 to 2035
• The South Korea Apparel Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 43.56 Billion by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The South Korea Apparel Market Size is Anticipated to reach USD 43.56 Billion By 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 1.11% from 2025 to 2035. The increasing consumer preference for trend-driven and fashionable apparel products, due to the changing textile sector in the nation, coupled with the increased popularity of Korean dramas, is chiefly driving the market expansion.

Market Overview

The South Korea apparel market involves the production, distribution, and consumption of clothing and fashion goods in different segments such as men's, women's, and children's wear. The market incorporates both local and foreign brands, serving a wide base of consumers with differing tastes and purchasing tendencies. The clothing business involves the creation, production, distribution, and retailing of garments and accessories for various needs and tastes of consumers. As fashion trends change, as technology advances, and as the issue of sustainability arises, it is constantly in motion and reacting to shifts in market need. For work, recreation, or as a special occasion, clothing contributes extensively to personal identity and societal norms and thus is an integral part of human culture and self-expression. Moreover, support by the government to the fashion sector in the form of promotion of local designers, eco-friendly activities, and innovation also drives the market further. This positioning supports creativity, competitiveness, and sustainability, which, in turn, is likely to drive the South Korea apparel market in the future as well.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea apparel market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea apparel market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea apparel market.

Driving Factors

The growing dominance of K-pop and Korean dramas is driving demand for fashion trends and brands, both globally and locally. Technological innovations and online retailing have, in addition, transformed the retail environment, increasing accessibility of fashion to consumers. Besides this, the technological-driven population of South Korea owns online shopping, resulting in the spread of online platforms and mobile apps that provide an extensive selection of clothes.

Restraining Factors

South Korea's peculiar online shopping policies, including the use of ActiveX for transactions, add inefficiency to the online shopping process. Consumers can be discouraged from completing their purchases, particularly when contrasted with international websites' easy checkout processes. Such technology-related hindrances may slow the development of e-commerce for apparel businesses.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea apparel market share is classified into type and distribution channel.

• The casual wear segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea apparel market is segmented by type into formal wear, casual wear, sports wear, safety wear, and others. Among these, the casual wear segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The nation's fashion market is dominated by streetwear, K-pop, and Korean dramas, pushing demand for fashionable and comfortable clothing.

• The online segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea apparel market is segmented by distribution channel into online and offline. Among these, the online segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The South Korean retailing has undergone a drastic change where online retailing now dominates in terms of sales. In the fashion industry, web-based platforms, especially mobile commerce, are increasingly dominant.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea apparel market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Musinsa.
• Covernat (Signal Co., Ltd.)
• Fila Korea
• MLB Korea (F&F Co., Ltd.)
• Kolon Industries FnC
• Helinox
• Mardi Mercredi
• Dholic
• Mulawear
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In April 2025, Low-price fashion labels such as SPAO and New Balance Korea redefined South Korea's fashion industry, disrupted traditional heavyweights, and reshaped consumer trends. Owned by E-Land World Co., they achieved the highest operating profit in the local fashion sector in 2024, surpassing industry giants Samsung C&T, LF Corp., Handsome Corp., Shinsegae International, and Kolon FnC.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea apparel market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Apparel Market, By Type

• Formal Wear
• Casual Wear
• Sports Wear
• Safety Wear
• Others

South Korea Apparel Market, By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline