Frenchwomen spend 20 percent of clothing budget on lingerie: study

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Frenchwomen spend nearly 20 percent of their annual clothing budget on lingerie, pushing overall sales of the flimsy undergarments to 2.6 billion euros, according to a study published Thursday.

The report, by the French Fashion Institute, showed that the lingerie segment of the clothing sector grew 1.3 percent last year compared to 2004, with a Frenchwoman spending, on average, some 100 euros a year on bras, panties, stockings and other intimate apparel.

Revenues from so-called daywear lingerie -- ie. more "practical" underwear -- were still recovering after a significant drop in 2004 caused by a flood of cheaper garments from low-cost countries such as China and Turkey.

The institute said 2005 showed a levelling off of the trend, with the study adding: "We even observed an average price rise in the purchase of panties."

The more exotic end of the market -- frilly knickers, teddies, garters and the like -- was showing signs of succumbing to the price competition, however, after having been spared in 2004, the institute said.

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AFPLifestyle-France-sector-textile-lingerie

AFP 311137 GMT 08 06