I could write a novel on this topic, but I will try to give you the condensed version.
Biggest question to ask when you buy women's hunting clothing....is it more important that it be functional, or that it look good? Too many companies with the "shrink it and pink it" philosophy have placed higher priority on following popular fashion trends by making tight fitting, hip hugging style designs and not nearly enough emphasis on choosing performance fabrics and designing cuts that will actually work for women's bodies in tough conditions. Then they charge premium prices for gear that's really sub par. when I am hiking up a mountain after a caribou, sheep or mountain goat, I care a lot more about being, warm dry and comfortable than I do about "looking good". When I only bring one pair of hiking pants and one baselayer top for a week long backpack hunt, the stuff needs to be comfortable, dry quickly, not stink, move with me, and not be falling apart by the end of the trip.
The first lite stuff is awesome as others have said. The Artemis 1/4 zip merino hoody is about my favorite piece ever (the other merino baselayers are quality as well), and the women's guide pants are some of the best women's hunting pants I have worn...4 way stretch, quick drying, functional AND zippered cargo pockets. Only bummer is the line is currently limited. I believe FL is hoping to eventually expand to outerwear, but currently the baselayers and currogate guide pants are pretty much it. Major kudos to FL for being the first major hunting company to step up and actually design stuff specifically for women!
The advice above to go with quality hiking and mountaineering gear is spot on. Companies like Arcteryx, Patagonia, OR, mountain hardware, and Westcomb have been making quality women's gear designed to perform in tough environments and outdoor atheletc and climbers have depended on this gear for years. The majority of my go to hunting clothing is cobbled together from these companies, in earth tone solids (which I prefer anyway) and the stuff flat out works.
If camo is super important to you, Kryptek does offer small and X-small sizing (but in men's cuts, so beware if your wife is curvy) and I believe Sitka has some youth sized items available as well. I believe we are long overdue for some more of the major hunting companies to step up to the plate and design quality gear specifically for women...hopefully this becomes a reality in the near future.
