Total men’s apparel U.S. retail sales reached $60.8 billion in 2013, a 5 percent increase over the $57.8 billion generated in 2012, thanks in large part to double-digit gains in sales of men’s outerwear, pants and socks, according to the NPD Group. By contrast, the U.S. women’s apparel market grew 4 percent in 2013 with total sales of $116.4 billion.

Of the 13 categories tracked by NPD in men's apparel, 12 experienced dollar sales increases in 2013, including pants (12 percent increase to $4.8 billion) and socks (14 percent increase to $2.8 billion). The only category to experience dollar sales declines was men's tops, which saw sales drop 2 percent.

“Innovation and men’s perception of fashion contributed to an increase in spending in 2013,” says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst, the NPD Group. “Another notable reason for the rise included colder than usual weather conditions, which helped the sales of men's outerwear grow 12 percent.”