Wal-Mart’s apparel chief has resigned — the latest executive departure in a recent shakeup at the world’s largest retailer.

Dottie Mattison — who, after three years at the helm of Wal-Mart’s apparel division was forced two months ago to share her leadership duties with Lisa Rhodes, a onetime subordinate — had joined the discounter from the Gap and worked out of the chain’s New York office.

Rhodes, a merchant who had been put in charge of women’s apparel and jewelry, will now lead the company’s US clothing division, including Wal-Mart’s apparel office, the company said.

The departure of Mattison comes as the country’s No. 1 retailer’s fashions continue to flounder. After repeated failures to sell trendy clothing, Wal-Mart will again focus on basics like socks and underwear, a top executive recently told investors.

But the retailer also needs to improve the quality of its clothing, said Jefferies analyst Dan Binder.

“When I walk through a Wal-Mart store and see a $3 tank top, I’m drawn to the price, but it looks like a $3 tank top,” Binder said. “Better to sell one for $6 if it’s a little nicer.”

Last year, apparel sales were 10 percent of the company’s sales, down from 12 percent a year earlier.

The departure of Mattison comes just weeks after John Fleming, the company’s chief merchant, resigned effective Aug. 1. Fleming, a former Target executive, was passed over last month to head the company’s US stores in favor of operating chief Bill Simon.