Denim fashion is shaped by both the past and the trends emerging from the street. Long before a pair of jeans reaches the store, however, it is influenced by mill-level decision makers who must weigh global economic conditions, raw material availability, and a range of unpredictable forces. As denim manufacturers apply the lessons learned from 2025—a year marred by shifting trade policies and slowing economies—to future products, consumers can expect to see these decisions in the type of fibers used in je ...

By November, the Greensboro, N.C.-based company said it expected to substantially offset the impact from increases in tariffs over a 12-to-18-month period through a combination of targeted price increases, sourcing and production optimization within its global supply chain, inventory management, supplier partnerships and other initiatives.“This time will be no different. We have operated through multiple cycles and have the team and operating playbook to not only navigate the current environment but come th ...

This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback Selling clothing is tough on a good day, given how quickly fashion tastes can shift. With tariffs and consumer anxiety adding to the level of difficulty, this year seemed destined to run roughshod over apparel retailers’ performance.Yet many have thrived. Through October, compared to a year ago, apparel sales rose every month except February, sometimes 6% or more, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. In Q3, apparel retailers inc ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the historical significance and evolution of denim, particularly focusing on the invention of riveted pants by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss, which led to the creation of blue jeans, a garment that has become a global symbol of American culture [2][4][19]. Industry Overview - The global denim market has reached $101 billion in 2023, reflecting a 28% increase from 2020, indicating strong demand and growth in the sector [4]. - Major apparel companies, including American Eagle and Levi Strauss, are competing to capture market share, utilizing celebrity endorsements to attract consumers in a challenging economic environment [4]. Historical Development - Jacob Davis's invention of riveted pants in the early 1870s marked the beginning of blue jeans, which were initially designed for durability in work settings [2][11]. - Levi Strauss partnered with Davis to patent and manufacture these pants, leading to widespread distribution across the United States [6][8]. - Over time, denim transitioned from workwear to casual attire, gaining popularity in leisure settings post-World War II, and eventually becoming a staple in everyday fashion [15][19]. Cultural Impact - Denim has democratized fashion, appealing to all social classes and becoming a significant cultural export associated with American Western culture [3][19]. - The evolution of denim styles, including the introduction of women's jeans in 1934 and the rise of designer jeans in the 1970s, reflects changing societal norms and fashion trends [12][19].

American Eagle stock jumped on Wednesday after the retailer boosted its sales forecast as the apparel company continued to see traffic increase following its viral Sydney Sweeney jeans campaign. The company's stock is up 136% over the past six months, with a roughly 50% gain in the last month and 19% rise in the last five days. That run was spurred by the release of American Eagle's "Great Jeans" ad in July that featured Sweeney. It also had a high profile campaign with NFL star Travis Kelce's Tru Kolors cl ...

Denim Deal is making inroads in France. The industry-leading initiative committed to standardizing circular practices in denim production announced that French brand Kiabi is has joined the collective. The retail brand announced its membership during Circular Fashion Week, taking place Dec. 4-5 at the CCI Grand Lille. More from Sourcing Journal Kiabi said its membership confirms its trajectory to “move beyond isolated initiatives and embrace a collaborative, ambitious and technically demanding European d ...

Market Trends & Dynamics - Denim is experiencing a resurgence, with the jeans market growing by 27% between 2020 and 2025 [5] - Celebrity endorsements and marketing campaigns are key strategies for retailers to capture consumer attention, particularly among Gen Z and Alpha [3][14] - Brands are seeking to reclaim cultural relevance and reverse sales slumps through partnerships and innovative campaigns [13][14] - The denim category is experiencing secular tailwinds, creating opportunities for multiple companies to succeed [28] Company Performance & Strategies - Levi's partnership with Beyonce exceeded expectations, driving top-line sales and expanding profit margins, with sales up in the high single digits year-to-date [1][23] - Levi's is focusing on becoming a more premium brand by cutting back on discounts, raising prices, and focusing on direct selling strategies [8] - American Eagle's campaign with Sydney Sweeney provided a boost with Gen Z shoppers, but faced controversy [10][16][17] - Gap's partnership with Katseye drove comparable sales up by 7%, more than double analyst expectations [3][21] Financial Metrics & Impact - Levi's partnership with Beyonce generated 43 billion press impressions and over $65 million in media value [21] - American Eagle's operating costs increased by $35 million year-over-year, partly due to spending on celebrity campaigns [15] - Gap's comparable sales rose by 7% due to the Katseye campaign [21]

Core Insights - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported third-quarter results that exceeded expectations, with revenue rising 6% to a record $1.4 billion, surpassing Wall Street's forecast of $1.3 billion, and earnings of 53 cents per share also above the expected 44 cents [3][4][11] Financial Performance - The company raised its fiscal fourth-quarter operating income guidance to between $155 million and $160 million, based on projected same-store sales growth of 8% to 9% [4][5] - For the full year, adjusted operating income guidance was increased to a range of $303 million to $308 million, up from an earlier projection of $255 million to $265 million, with comparable sales expected to remain in the low single digits [5][11] Marketing and Customer Acquisition - The marketing campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney significantly boosted customer acquisition, adding 700,000 new customers over the summer [7] - American Eagle announced a partnership with Martha Stewart for its holiday campaign, aiming to appeal to a multigenerational audience and position denim as a universal gift [9][10] Sales Trends - Same-store sales at Aerie, the company's intimates brand, rose 11% in the fiscal third quarter [6] - The company experienced strong momentum into the fourth quarter, highlighted by a record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend and growth across brands and channels [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 6% to $1.4 billion, marking a record for the third quarter [6][18] - Operating income reached $113 million, exceeding guidance of $95-$100 million, driven by higher-than-expected demand [6][18] - Diluted EPS for the quarter was $0.53, a 10% increase compared to the adjusted EPS from the previous year [6][18] - Gross profit dollars increased by 5% to $552 million, while gross margin declined by 40 basis points to 40.5% [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerie's comparable sales (comps) grew by 11%, significantly outperforming American Eagle's 1% comp growth [7][18] - Aerie's performance was driven by strong demand across all categories, including intimates, apparel, and sleep [11][12] - American Eagle saw improvements in men's business, particularly in tops and jeans, contributing to the overall positive comp growth [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerie and Offline are emerging as important customer destinations, with Aerie generating nearly $2 billion in revenue and holding less than 5% market share, indicating significant growth potential [8][9] - The company reported a 4% increase in comparable sales, a notable improvement from the previous quarter's 1% decrease [7][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational improvements and cost efficiencies to enhance profitability in a dynamic macro environment [5][6] - Incremental investments in advertising are aimed at driving stronger demand and enhancing long-term brand awareness [5][6] - The company plans to continue expanding Aerie and Offline, with 22 Aerie and 26 Offline store openings planned [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook, highlighting a meaningful turnaround from the first half of the year [10][17] - The fourth quarter is off to a strong start, with record performance during the Thanksgiving weekend [9][23] - The company raised its fourth quarter operating income guidance to a range of $155-$160 million, based on expected comp sales growth of 8%-9% [23][24] Other Important Information - The company is on track to close about 35 lower productivity Aerie stores while remodeling 50 Aerie stores to enhance customer experience [21][22] - The balance sheet remains strong, with cash of $113 million and total liquidity of approximately $560 million [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the acceleration in the fourth quarter and the drivers behind it? - Management indicated that both brands are trending ahead of expectations, with Aerie expected to see high teens comp growth and American Eagle in the low to mid-single digits [27] Question: What are the new denim silhouettes that are performing well? - Denim has been strong, particularly in women's, with new silhouettes gaining traction and out-of-stocks being addressed [29] Question: What are the drivers of Aerie's same-store sales improvement? - Aerie's performance is attributed to strong customer acquisition, effective marketing strategies, and a focus on core competency businesses [33][34] Question: What are the expectations for markdowns in the fourth quarter? - Management expects markdowns to be similar to the third quarter, with a focus on maintaining competitive pricing while driving top-line growth [36][39] Question: Can you elaborate on customer acquisition trends? - The company has seen strong customer acquisition across both brands, with strategies in place to retain these customers [51][52] Question: What are the plans for store openings and closures? - The company plans to close about 35 lower productivity stores while opening a similar number of new Aerie and Offline stores [61][62]

Cooler temperatures have arrived, but my favorite part of the fall-to-winter transition is the style: cozy knits, chic boots, and layers that make every outfit feel effortlessly elevated. But of course, no wardrobe is complete without a good pair of jeans.Wide-leg silhouettes continue to trend, but I have yet to find a pair that hits all the marks: a flattering fit, high-quality fabric, and a classic yet versatile wash. So, I turned to Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy (all under the Gap Inc. umbrella) ...