In a competitive and fast-paced world, activewear for women provides a functional and comfortable wardrobe for women leading busy lives. Women's activewear is a must for clothing retailers, and no longer includes just athletic clothing and shoes, but also women's casualwear -- clothes designed for fashion and comfort as well as moderate activity.

Pricing and costs of women's activewear typically reflects the level of activity. For instance, casualwear for women is typically the least expensive type of ladies activewear, while sports bras and shoes designed for running and other high impact training are the most expensive. Other factors may also increase the cost of women's activewear, such as the use of organic materials, which are especially popular in yoga apparel.

When calculating the pricing and costs of women's activewear, consider the following:

1. Browse by activity and brand to compare prices of activewear for women.
2. Expect a slight price increase from standard to organic materials.
3. Price bras and shoes based on activity level.

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Price women's activewear by sport and by brand

The most basic way of categorizing women's activewear for pricing is by activity and brand. Different sports and activities require different types of apparel, which affects the cost. Golf and tennis, for example, are typically the most expensive, with a top and bottom together typically costing $80 to $120. Winter sports, such as skiing, are also more expensive because of the added cost of an activewear jacket for $150 to $200.

I recommend: Compare women's sportswear prices by activity at title nine to get an idea of pricing and costs for skiing, yoga, running, gym workout, swimming and other types of women's sports. Londo Mondo allows you to research prices by brand, including specialty brands like Danskin (yoga and dance apparel) and Puma (track and casualwear).

Stock organic women's sportswear at a slightly higher price

A lot of women's active apparel now offers the option of buying organic. Typically, organic women's sportswear is made from organic cotton, which costs anywhere from $1 to $20 more per garment than standard cotton. Another organic option is bamboo fabric, which is soft like cotton and typically does not cost more. Women will be happy to see either type of organic option on store shelves as environmentally friendly shopping becomes more widespread.

I recommend: MSNBC explains the trend of organic clothing entering the mainstream as it has with women's sportswear and yoga apparel, and claims that the cost for organic clothing is comparable to that of standard cotton. The OrganicClothing.blogs.com uses a relatively inexpensive item, the tank top, to illustrate the difference in cost and explain the higher price of organic clothing.

Price women's casualwear and activewear by intensity level

Certain articles of women's sportswear, such as bras and shoes, may vary greatly in design and construction depending on the level of activity. These differences are translated to price. As a general rule, low, medium and high impact bras require a price increase of $10 to $20 as the level of activity increases, while the average price of women's shoes increases $20 to $40 from casual to intense activity.

I recommend: Sports Unlimited prices sports bras by low, medium or high impact, with low and medium impact costing $20 to $25 and high impact $30 to $60 or more. Women's casualwear shoes are the least expensive, and can be found at Scrubs Gallery or FootSmart for $30 to $120 for therapeutic models. Running and walking shoes are slightly higher, from $80 to $150. FootSmart also sells shoe inserts anywhere from $5 to $25.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When stocking sportswear for women, research your customer base and the types of activities offered in your area. While women's golf and tennis wear may generate profits in some areas, these high-priced items will be a costly deficit in areas where women don't have ready access to golf courses and tennis courts.

With more and more women replacing their once beloved jeans with yoga pants, the women's activewear, women's sportswear and women's casualwear industries are thriving. The ironed blouses, crisp tailored skirts and fitted dresses of the first half of the twentieth century have been replaced by much more livable, comfortable clothing in the new millennium.

Women want to be comfortable in their homes, as well as offices, and the available sportswear for women reflects that. As you buy women's activewear and women's sportswear for your small business, consider the following to keep your inventory moving:

1. What are the upcoming trends for women's activewear manufacturers?
2. What are the brands you want to carry?
3. What are some of the essentials you should always stock?

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Determine upcoming trends in activewear for women

There's nothing worse than having inventory that doesn't move. In order to keep up with the trends, attend yearly conferences in women's sportswear and develop good relationships with wholesalers.

I recommend: Large cities offer trade shows, from Las Vegas to Atlanta, and they're always changing. Log on to TSSN.com and use their search engine to find shows in your area, and determine how many women's casualwear vendors will be on display. Apparel Search has the Women's Clothing Trade Show Directory, and is another great resource for women's activewear. Don't like to travel? A buyer, such as Apparel Off Price may be for you. It is an online service that determines your business needs, then does the buying for you, for a price. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is another way for you to stay in touch with current trends.

Decide on the brands of ladies activewear and ladies casualwear you want to carry

Since favorite brands vary by region, you'll want to decide on the key brands of ladies activewear you want to carry. Much will be determined by geography and demographics when choosing women's activewear. So, if you're near a golf course, you need to offer ladies golf apparel. If you're closer to mountain ranges or bluffs used by rock climbers, you'll need climbing tops. It's important to provide the activewear for women in your area that they'll use and like.

I recommend: Good all-around brands such as Columbia Sportswear Company, Patagonia and Ex-Officio offer a variety of women's casualwear, suitable for hikes or for Fridays at the office. Lucy, Horny Toad,and Danskin carry some hip, fun, more specialized women's sportswear.

Decide on the women's sportswear and women's activewear basics you will always carry

From new socks to replacement tees and hoodies to that much needed pair of Friday work pants, there are some items of clothing every woman needs. If she knows she can find them at your store, she's more likely to become a regular customer.

I recommend: Socks can be a popular item with a great return. In colder climates try carrying Smartwool. The Champion brand is also famous for its socks, as well as its t-shirts and sweats, as is Nike. For that much needed pair of work pants, Gaiam and title nine offer that comfortable, affordable and yet work-appropriate lline.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Change displays often so your women's active apparel appears fresh.
• •  By combining tasteful, everyday essentials with current trends, your store can be a place your customers depend on.

Women’s casualwear is a popular type of clothing. It is worn for various activities throughout the day. Some of the most widely used womens activewear types and styles include: exercise items, lounge wear, golf shirts, ladies sportswear and t-shirts. It is important to keep in mind your customer base when you are choosing women’s sportswear for your business.

If your store is located in a popular golfing area you will definitely want to include ladies golf apparel in your inventory. But regardless of the types and styles of women’s activewear you choose for your business, you will want to get it at a fair price. When looking for suppliers of women’s activewear it is essential to look for quality products and high end customer service. In order to find the best womens activewear types and styles remember to:

1. Look for women’s activewear manufactures that carry exercise apparel.

2. Find wholesalers that carry specific types of ladies sportswear items for sports and everyday wear.

3. Buy activewear for women that can double as lounge wear.

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Locate a selection of ladies active wear for sports and outdoor activities

Suppliers of women's activewear provide clothing for every type of sporting occasion. One of the most important types of ladies sportswear is apparel for sports and sportswear. This type of clothing includes spandex, sports bras, shorts, tanks and t-shirts. Some women's activewear manufactures also carry shoes and sporting accessories.

I recommend: WholesaleActivewear.com has a large selection of women’s exercise clothing. Its inventory includes pants, shorts, tanks, t-shirts and sports bras. For additional sporting clothing and gym apparel choices check out Sofine Fashions.

Stock your inventory with women's activewear pants and items for every type of exercise

Women need apparel for all types of exercise activities. These apparel items come in a variety of types and styles. Some pieces of clothing are worn specifically for yoga or aerobics, while others are for running or swimming. In order to diversify your business' inventory you should try to stock womens activewear types and styles to fit every customer's workout needs.

I recommend: For a large selection of ladies sportswear items and exercise apparel visit Imprints Wholesale. To find the right yoga apparel for your inventory check out Shakti Activewear. It’s yoga apparel is perfect for every level of experience.

Consider adding casualwear for women to your store's inventory

Casual wear is popular for the post workout walk home from the gym and sometimes for the workout itself. Women love the comfort of soft fabrics and stylish cuts for track suits, pants, hoodies and shirts. Consider adding some casual wear items to your store's stock of merchandise and you will surely fit the needs of every customer that walks into your store.

I recommend: Check out Wholesale Fashion Square for the latest in women’s activewear apparel items. For casual wear and activewear clothing visit Boulevard Apparel. It’s selection is sure to add flair to your retail store.

It’s quite common to now see women's activewear in the work place. Therefore, you should be somewhat familiar with women's activewear key terms. This is especially true if you are looking for ways to promote your business through branding since clothing is an excellent opportunity for creating promotional items. Both your employees as well as your customers will appreciate quality products. Read this guide to learn some common women's activewear key terms that can help you make smart shopping decisions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hoodies

Hoodies are outerwear with hoods that can pull up to protect the head from rain. Hoodies are either full-zip, half-zip or pullover style. You can find hoodies in fleece fabrics as well as a variety of other fabrics.

I recommend: You can see examples of hoodies at Custom Ink.

Workout pants

Workout pants are loose, stretchy, comfortable pants. Originally designed for use in a gym, you can now find women wearing these pants in all sorts of situations. Quite often you can find workout pants and hoodies sold as a matching set.

I recommend: Hanesbrands offers a number of workout pants in its Champion line.

Yoga pants

Yoga pants offer a slimmer, more flattering fit than workout pants. The fabrics in yoga pants are stretchy and allow you to move easily during a yoga session. Many women wear yoga pants for other casual activities as well because of their comfort. Young mothers-to-be often wear yoga pants because the stretchy fabric fits well on their changing bodies.

I recommend: View the selection of yoga pants at Home Grown Sporting Goods.

Utility pants

Utility pants are a good choice to wear if you prefer outdoor activities. Many utility pants come with lightweight, waterproof fabrics made with ripstop technology. If you snag your pants, you don't have to worry about the hole getting larger. Utility pants often come with pockets designed to carry personal items.

I recommend: See the pair on utility pants at REI.

Tank top

A tank top is a knit, sleeveless top that women often wear during exercise. Tank tops are the perfect accessory for yoga pants and utility pants. Worn under a hoodie and with workout pants, it can make an activewear ensemble for any season or activity. Some tank tops come with a built-in shelf bra.

I recommend: The Backcountry.com tank tops come in a wide variety of style and colors.

Sports bra

The main underpinning of women's activewear is the sports bra. Designed to support and be flexible during strenuous workouts, sports bras are available to fit all body sizes and shapes. You can wear some sports bras without a covering shirt or jacket.

I recommend: Dick’s Sporting Goods provides a buyers guide to sports bras.