The Effects of Environmental Attitudes on Apparel Purchasing Behavior

Although consumers' environmental concern has increased, little empirical research regarding environmental attitudes and clothing purchasing behavior has been reported. This study builds on the limited amount of research by employing a theoretical framework that focuses on endogenous and exogenous conditions that affect attitudes and behavior. The final sample of 402 women resulted from a national random sample of 1000. A survey measuring general environmental and clothing environmental attitudes, and environmental consideration when making clothing purchases was developed. Factor analysis reduced the attitude items to three general environmental factors and two clothing environmental factors. Path analysis was employed to examine the relationships among variables. Results revealed that demographic characteristics influenced general environmental attitudes which in turn influenced clothing environmental attitudes which ultimately impacts clothing purchasing behavior. Results further explicated the existing theoretical framework and provided support for a sequential approach.