This document provides an introduction to the global apparel industry. It defines apparel and lists several categories of clothing including casual wear, fashion wear, intimate wear, and sports wear. The document then discusses reasons for wearing clothing such as protection from climate and cultural/occupational needs. Some key facts about the apparel industry are presented, such as its $3 trillion global value and largest sectors such as women's wear. Environmental impacts of the textile industry are also covered, like China's large wastewater discharge from dyeing fabrics. The document concludes with a brief definition of cut-make-trim factories in the apparel production process.