Hey RFID is perfect for this application. You don't really need Mag stripes as you don't need to write anything to the card - all you need is a unique ID to attach to the garments. The RFIDs are very reliable in the wash and they come in key-fob format which might just be perfect. As for cost - they may be a little more but think of the application. Having to swipe each card will be a pain for your users as opposed to just waving the tag over the reader (or the reader over the tag). And you don't really need a writer, just a reader to read that unique ID to attach to your customer in the database. This means you can get the older, cheaper 125Khz tags and a simple reader. The key question here may just be how many tags you need? I suggest you go here http://www.stronglink.cn/english/sl102.htm[^] and get a reader for $21USD and a bunch of tags for 40 cents each (much cheaper if you buy bulk, as little as 28 cents). Shipping and customs duty on top of that.