According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear were 4.38% lower in 2021 versus 1978 (a $0.88 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2021: Men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear experienced an average inflation rate of -0.10% per year. In other words, men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $19.12 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.32% during this same period, inflation for men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear was significantly lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear:
| Year | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| CPI | 91.450 | 90.642 | 92.550 | 95.625 | 98.000 | 100.358 | 101.658 | 103.567 | 106.300 | 111.292 | 115.708 | 121.033 | 126.417 | 131.717 | 132.233 | 136.808 | 136.708 | 133.700 | 134.192 | 135.067 | 137.025 | 135.383 | 132.975 | 128.517 | 128.642 | 126.858 | 125.525 | 126.242 | 121.400 | 120.156 | 120.680 | 114.578 | 116.284 | 115.165 | 117.487 | 118.827 | 115.741 | 112.294 | 111.063 | 109.152 | 105.876 | 108.368 | 94.266 | 87.441 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Men's suits, sport coats, and outerwear, over time, for $20 beginning in 1978. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $20.00 | - |
| 1979 | $19.82 | -0.88% |
| 1980 | $20.24 | 2.11% |
| 1981 | $20.91 | 3.32% |
| 1982 | $21.43 | 2.48% |
| 1983 | $21.95 | 2.41% |
| 1984 | $22.23 | 1.30% |
| 1985 | $22.65 | 1.88% |
| 1986 | $23.25 | 2.64% |
| 1987 | $24.34 | 4.70% |
| 1988 | $25.31 | 3.97% |
| 1989 | $26.47 | 4.60% |
| 1990 | $27.65 | 4.45% |
| 1991 | $28.81 | 4.19% |
| 1992 | $28.92 | 0.39% |
| 1993 | $29.92 | 3.46% |
| 1994 | $29.90 | -0.07% |
| 1995 | $29.24 | -2.20% |
| 1996 | $29.35 | 0.37% |
| 1997 | $29.54 | 0.65% |
| 1998 | $29.97 | 1.45% |
| 1999 | $29.61 | -1.20% |
| 2000 | $29.08 | -1.78% |
| 2001 | $28.11 | -3.35% |
| 2002 | $28.13 | 0.10% |
| 2003 | $27.74 | -1.39% |
| 2004 | $27.45 | -1.05% |
| 2005 | $27.61 | 0.57% |
| 2006 | $26.55 | -3.84% |
| 2007 | $26.28 | -1.03% |
| 2008 | $26.39 | 0.44% |
| 2009 | $25.06 | -5.06% |
| 2010 | $25.43 | 1.49% |
| 2011 | $25.19 | -0.96% |
| 2012 | $25.69 | 2.02% |
| 2013 | $25.99 | 1.14% |
| 2014 | $25.31 | -2.60% |
| 2015 | $24.56 | -2.98% |
| 2016 | $24.29 | -1.10% |
| 2017 | $23.87 | -1.72% |
| 2018 | $23.15 | -3.00% |
| 2019 | $23.70 | 2.35% |
| 2020 | $20.62 | -13.01% |
| 2021 | $19.12 | -7.24%* |