How to Start a Custom Athleisure Line for Women

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• Why Athleisure Is a Smart Business Move
• My Experience Starting Athleisure Lines
• What Athleisure Really Means (Definitions)
• Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Custom Athleisure Line
  • 1. Define Your Brand Identity
  • 2. Choose Key Products
  • 3. Source Materials & Fabrics
  • 4. Choose a Manufacturer
  • 5. Sampling and Fit Testing
  • 6. Production & Quality Control
• Top Custom Athleisure Manufacturers (with Links)
• Comparison Table
• How to Choose the Right Manufacturer for Your Line
• FAQs
• Work With Fukigymwear

Quick Answer

Starting a custom athleisure line for women means creating a product collection (leggings, tops, jackets, sets) that reflects your brand identity — and selling it with your label.

From my experience helping brands launch their first collection, success comes down to:

• Picking the right fabrics
• Partnering with the right manufacturer
• Testing fit before bulk production

This guide walks you step by step — from concept to production — and highlights real manufacturers you can contact today.

Why Athleisure Is a Smart Business Move

Athleisure blends comfort + performance + fashion — making it one of the fastest-growing apparel categories.

Women’s athleisure sells because:

• Consumers want clothing that works from gym → errands → social
• High perceived value boosts price tolerance
• Repeat purchases happen when fit and comfort are great

In short: athleisure is both functional and fashionable — perfect for new brands.

My Experience Starting Athleisure Lines

I’ve helped multiple brands start women’s activewear collections, including:

• Leggings and crop tops
• Performance hoodies and jackets
• Athleisure sets and jumpsuits

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

• The biggest mistakes happen when fabric stretch fails in real wear
• Poor pattern grading results in inconsistent sizing
• A bad zipper or seam can tank an otherwise great product

Good planning and the right manufacturer make all the difference.

What Athleisure Really Means (Definitions)

In apparel terms:

Athleisure =
Comfort-oriented apparel with performance features + everyday wearability.

Athleisure Categories Often Include:

• Leggings & tights
• Sports bras & crop tops
• Sweatpants & joggers
• Hoodies & jackets
• Sets & matching outfits

This differs from strictly performance athletic wear, which is optimized exclusively for sport.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Custom Athleisure Line

1. Define Your Brand Identity

Start with:

• Target customer (e.g., active moms, yoga lovers, streetwear)
• Price positioning (budget, mid, premium)
• Visual style (minimal, bold, retro)

Your identity determines fabric choice, branding, and pricing.

2. Choose Key Products

Start with a small capsule collection:

• Leggings
• Tops
• Outerwear
• Sets

Avoid launching with 50 styles — focus on 3–6 hero products first.

3. Source Materials & Fabrics

Good materials = bottom-line product experience.

Common fabrics:

• Nylon + Spandex — great stretch
• Polyester blends — moisture-wicking
• French terry — lifestyle comfort

Always check:

• Shrinkage
• Pilling
• Colorfastness

4. Choose a Manufacturer

Your manufacturer affects:

• Fit consistency
• Fabric supply chain
• MOQ flexibility
• Branding options (labels, trims, packaging)

We’ll list solid options below.

5. Sampling and Fit Testing

Never skip samples.

You want to test:

• Stretch & recovery after 10+ wears
• Fit across all sizes
• Seam strength

Ask for fittings on real bodies — not just flat measurements.

6. Production & Quality Control

Before bulk runs:

• Establish clear QC checkpoints
• Confirm size grading is consistent
• Request pre-shipment photos

Good quality control prevents returns and bad reviews.

Top Custom Athleisure Manufacturers (with Links)

Here are five reputable manufacturers you can contact:

1. Fukigymwear – Custom Activewear OEM

👉 Fukigymwear

Full-service activewear production from sampling to delivery.

Best For: Startups and growth brands

2. Apliiq – Custom Apparel & Branding

👉 Apliiq

Custom branding, embroidery, and low MOQ options.

Best For: DTC brands and fashion-forward lines

3. AS Colour – Premium Blank & Custom Supplier

👉 AS Colour

High-quality blanks and fabric customization.

Best For: Modern lifestyle athleisure

4. Next Level Apparel – Comfort-First Supplier

👉 Next Level Apparel

Soft fabrics and contemporary fits.

Best For: Casual athleisure pieces

5. Stanley/Stella – Sustainable Apparel Manufacturer

👉 Stanley/Stella

Known for eco-friendly materials and ethical production.

Best for: Sustainability-driven brands

Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Manufacturer for Your Line

✔ Want full OEM & custom development → Fukigymwear
✔ Need quick branding → Apliiq
✔ Premium fabric focus → AS Colour
✔ Soft everyday styles → Next Level Apparel
✔ Sustainability-first → Stanley/Stella

FAQs

Q: What is the typical MOQ for athleisure?
A: Usually 50–300 units depending on fabric and complexity.

Q: Can I customize labels and packaging?
A: Yes, most manufacturers offer full private label options.

Q: How long does production take?
A: Sampling: 10–20 days. Bulk production: 30–45 days.

Work With Fukigymwear

If you’re ready to launch your custom athleisure brand,
👉 Fukigymwear provides full-service manufacturing — from concept to delivery.

We help brands launch faster, reduce risk, and scale with confidence.