Women dig deeper for fashion

New Zealanders appear to be digging deeper into their designer pockets to feed their fashion habit because more quality wear is available.

Statistics New Zealand figures show spending on clothing and footwear has increased 23 per cent in the past three years.

Women spent nearly twice as much as men - $12.10 a week compared with $6.50 - and the spree is no surprise to those in the industry.

Fashion publicist Murray Bevan, director of Showroom 22, said New Zealanders were generally taking more pride in their appearance and realised there were growing quantities of top-quality garments available locally.

Mr Bevan said the hype over events such as New Zealand Fashion Week added to the interest.

Television shows such as Sex and the City, which starred four glamorous "clothes horses", had also titillated consumer demand, he said.

"Women are more aware of their appearance and enjoying and empowering themselves."

Mr Bevan said many young people were caught up with clothing associated with music styles such as hip-hop.

Fashion retailer Simon Miller, who owns High St store Fabric, said much more top clothing was readily available.

People were able to buy fashion that before might have required a trip to Sydney or Melbourne.

Mr Miller sells imported labels such as Marc Jacobs, Helmut Lang and Dries Van Noten, which he said were comparable in price to top New Zealand designs.

He opened the business three years ago and had enjoyed a continual growth in sales.

But bucking the trend was the apparel section of The Warehouse chain, which has reported a disappointing start to sales for the 13 weeks to October 31.

Group chief executive Ian Morrice put it down partly to the cooler spring.