Focus on fabric for athletic apparel.

Betty Lopez, merchandiser for Vantage Apparel in Avenel, N.J., mentioned distributors should pay extra-close attention to fabric when choosing performance pieces. Synthetic fibers are often used, but they do tend to snag more easily. “Well-designed apparel will have tightly knit fabric using finer yarn, and you can usually identify this fabric by the better quality and sleeker hand,” she said.