Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming part of apparel shopping, influencing how consumers search for, evaluate and select clothing. This study examines the role of AI in apparel buying decisions among consumers in Coimbatore District, with particular focus on the consumer characteristics associated with AI influence and the factors that predict AI-driven decision-making. Primary data were collected from 402 apparel consumers representing different demographic and behavioural segments. The study employed Correlation Analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis and Step-wise Regression Analysis to examine relationships, determinants and key predictors of AI influence. The correlation results indicate significant associations with educational qualification, marital status, household income, occupation, apparel purchase frequency, monthly apparel spending, smartphone usage and awareness of AI apparel features, while gender, residence, shopping channel and apparel applications show no significant association. Multiple regression identifies educational qualification, marital status, monthly apparel spending, smartphone usage and awareness of AI apparel features as significant determinants of AI apparel decision-making. Step-wise regression further identifies marital status and educational qualification as the strongest predictors, followed by AI awareness, apparel spending, purchase frequency and smartphone usage. The findings demonstrate that AI influence on apparel buying decisions varies according to consumer characteristics and is shaped by both socio-economic and behavioural factors. The study provides useful insights into the emerging algorithmic consumer in a tier-2 Indian market and offers implications for apparel retailers seeking to develop more consumer-responsive AI-enabled shopping experiences.