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Summary: If you want to create a responsible, minimalist wardrobe without spending thousands of dollars, Quince is the shop for you. Their price point can’t be beat when looking for sustainable essentials even if they might not last forever.

Pros

  • Affordable closet staples for those who appreciate a minimalist approach to fashion
  • A wide selection of responsibly-made and earth conscious fabrics
  • Trendy and wearable styles that are quick to become everyday staples

Cons

  • Overall, Quince’s fit and fabric matches their price point
  • The brand’s pieces are thinner than typical wool or cashmere, and may stretch or rip over time without proper care

You might know Quince from the $50 cashmere it offers for all members of the family (even kids!). And that’s not to mention its affordable wool, leather, washable silk, and linen goods, as well as lines of shoes, accessories, and even homewares. The brand’s become a one-stop-shop for all your wardrobe and home needs, combining the convenience of an online marketplace with the thoughtfulness you’d expect from a small, sustainable retailer.

Two sweaters, a sweater and a pair of pants on a wooden floor.
Quince makes affordable basics of luxury quality for the whole family.

This makes the daunting task of creating a thoughtful wardrobe much easier since Quince offers all the basics at just the right price point. The minimal approach is a great reminder that it doesn’t take much to have a conscious wardrobe — just a handful of timeless pieces. This was my goal in reviewing Quince: Refresh my winter wardrobe with some easy-to-style pieces, and determine if Quince was the real deal along the way. With all the deals they offer, could they really maintain a high standard of quality?

I was optimistic based on the unique factory-direct model. Quince only partners with ethical factories worldwide, and then ships directly from those factories, eliminating the middleman. Their factories are mid-size, family-run, and share the same vision of sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices. This is what allows the brand to cut costs and exercise greater transparency, too. I was excited to try the brand given their other commitments, including eliminating plastic with their compostable packaging, and using sustainable and earth-friendly fabrics like organic linen and cotton.

Read on for my full experience from shipping and packing materials to detailed reviews of my favorite items. Shall we?

Unboxing and first impressions

The day my clothes arrived was a very good one. I was thrilled to see a large, black stuffed bag with “Quince” written on the outside on my doorstep — but because it didn’t say if it was compostable or not, I might’ve opted for a large box instead to be able to recycle.

“Quince’s pieces feel extra delicate and need gentle care.”

Nevertheless, inside the bag, each clothing item was neatly wrapped in yes, compostable packaging. The way the clothes were beautifully folded in bags was a highlight. It made the unboxing experience feel elevated. I first noticed the softness of each piece as I took it out. So soft and delicate that I treated them like fine glassware. I also noticed that the pieces didn’t have any wrinkles because of how they were folded, a magic trick that made them ready-to-wear straight out of the bag.

As I tried on the clothes my first thought for each was, “I’ll be wearing this a lot.” However, I did notice that the wool and cashmere felt thinner than other pieces made of the same fabrics in my closet. It turns out, this thinness is a sign of quality. But, this does mean that Quince’s pieces feel extra delicate and need gentle care. As with any delicate fabric, the way we care for our clothing pieces is the key.

A bag with the word quince on it sitting on a table.
A bag with the word quince on it.
The clothes arrive packed in compostable packaging.

Mongolian Cashmere Wrap Sweater | $109.90

Outside of my newborn’s skin, this lightweight sweater might be the softest thing I’ve ever touched. Although it took me a while to figure out how to wear the wrap — it’s designed to go in front instead of the back — once I figured it out, I fell in love with the waist accentuating detail in the front while the back is left loose. You can also take the belt off and wear it as an open cardigan.

The silhouette is extremely sophisticated. I feel wiser wearing this sweater and am reminded of the grace and modesty of my grandma. You can easily dress it up or down. I wore it at night with jeans and boots and felt put together yet casual. I ordered a small size and I love the fit. But, if you’re looking for it to be looser, I’d size up. 

A woman wearing a brown sweater and pants.
A woman posing for a picture.

Mongolian Cashmere Straight Leg Pant | $99.90

To complete the set with the sweater, I ordered these pants. It’s the most perfect WFH winter look. I feel like pure luxury wearing them together. The pants have pockets in the front and back, making them less like sweatpants and more like a cozy trouser.

This set is also perfect for travel and I’m excited for the chance to wear it on an airplane. My only complaint is the pants are too long on my 5’4” frame. I have to roll them so that the delicate cashmere doesn’t drag under my feet when walking around my house. I also sized down to an XS, and I’m glad I did. The cashmere stretches and loosens a bit with wear so they’re baggier at the end of the day.

A woman standing in an empty room wearing a tan jumpsuit.
A woman standing in a room wearing a tan sweater and pants.

Baby Alpaca-Wool Cropped Cardigan | $59.90

This is one of those pieces I want to wear every day. A closet staple! I love the balloon sleeves, big buttons, buttery soft wool, and slight cropped-boxy fit. It adds a touch of sophistication to any look, whether running errands or going out to eat.

My one complaint is I wish it was thicker for winter wear. I’ll wear it more often as a light cover-up in spring and summer. Though on warmer days in the winter, I’ll definitely be wearing it too. As opposed to the Mongolian cashmere set, I wouldn’t wear this sweater for lounging around the house. It’s very delicate and the wool is a magnet for all my dog’s hair. That said, the price point is perfect for this piece.

A woman wearing a black cardigan and tan pants.
A woman wearing a black cardigan and tan pants.

Tencel Jersey Wide Leg Jumpsuit | $49.90

As a self-appointed jumpsuit collector, I had to order this jumpsuit that I’d admittedly been eyeing for awhile. I live in jumpsuits year-round. They’re an easy throw-on for teaching yoga, running around with my toddler, or working from home. The fabric is flouncy and makes you want to skip and spin around. You can also easily layer by wearing a shirt or sweater over top.

I found the wide-leg detail to be super cute and flattering — but I wish I’d ordered an XS to be tighter around the bust. The top doesn’t hold me in as much as I’d like, for example I wouldn’t be able to do yoga in this jumpsuit because my bust simply wouldn’t stay in. It would help a lot if the straps could be adjustable, especially since the tencel fabric is heavy and the straps will pull overtime. I do love this price point for a wearable, everyday jumpsuit — just keep your activities low-impact. 🙂

A woman in a black jumpsuit standing in a room.
A woman in a black jumpsuit standing on a rug.

Responsible Down Cropped Puffer Jacket | $119.90

*Tosses all other jackets out the door and only wears this one.* This jacket might just be my new favorite thing in my entire wardrobe. The quality is amazing for the price. It’s so warm and cozy and not too cropped for cold days. I also love that Quince’s down fabrics are sourced responsibility. My favorite thing about this jacket though might be the storm cuffs with thumbholes. This design detail is a must for living in Colorado.

“This jacket might just be my new favorite thing in my entire wardrobe.”

All that aside, I do have one big complaint: The pockets are way too small! During the winter, my jacket doubles as my purse, using the pockets to keep all my things in. Unfortunately, with this jacket you can barely fit a phone. The outside pockets are very shallow (too shallow to fit my phone!) and have a snap button closure. Luckily, there’s a hidden pocket on the inside of the jacket that does fit my phone and maybe a credit card. Other than that, I adore this jacket and I’m so happy to have it in my winter arsenal.

A woman wearing a grey puffer jacket and black wide leg pants.
A woman wearing a grey puffer jacket and black wide leg pants.

So, is Quince the real deal?

Quince is my new go-to whenever I’m needing a closet refresh for an effortless staple. I’ve already purchased a cashmere sweater for my husband and I have my eye on a few spring pieces. The brand is perfect for those with a minimalist approach to fashion who are passionate about how their wardrobe is made without wanting to spend too much. And this minimalism extends to the design — Quince is not for those looking for bold silhouettes or prints. Most of their clothing is neutral with the occasional pop of color, which suits me just fine.

In the end, the brand’s shipping and returns policy sealed the deal for me. Standard shipping is always free! You can return or exchange items, including bedding, for a full refund within 365 days. This generous policy is another way Quince is making buying responsibly made clothes easy to access, and I’m so happy they do. Unfortunately for our overseas friends, Quince does not yet ship outside of the United States.The next time you find yourself searching for a closet staple, try Quince. For me, the brand did not disappoint.

Courtney Jay is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is also a yoga instructor, health enthusiast, and sustainable fashion advocate. You can find more of her writing and take one of her online yoga classes on her website, Coincide.