I’ve spent over two years testing Quince’s ‘affordable luxury’ clothing. Here’s what I’d buy again and what to skip.

When I first heard Quince’s “affordable luxury” tagline, I was highly skeptical — especially after seeing all the ads. Over the past two years, myself and our team of style editors have tested over 60 items from Quince. From everyday basics to silk dresses, we wore, washed, and lived in them to see if the quality truly matched the price.

And the answer? It’s a mix. For everyday staples like organic cotton tees, cozy cashmere sweaters, and buttery-soft basics, Quince often hit that sweet spot between elevated and affordable — pieces I reach for again and again. Their Mongolian cashmere crewnecks and fleece sets, for example, have become reliable cold-weather go-tos in my closet.

But not everything impressed. I expected much more from the linen and denim offerings, which tended to feel flimsy and underwhelming next to pricier alternatives. And while some of the leather goods — like the Italian leather totes and ballet flats — looked luxe at first glance, the quality varied widely from piece to piece.

Below I break down exactly which Quince pieces lived up to the “luxury without the luxury price tag,” and which ones just didn’t make the cut — so you don’t have to learn the hard way yourself.

The 5 best Quince styles:

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crew A bestseller of the brand, this $50 cashmere crewneck is surprisingly soft for what it costs. We like that it’s thin enough to layer with while still keeping us insulated. Check price at Quince

Quince Italian Suede Penny Loafer These classic penny loafers punch well above their price point with their stacked leather heels and smooth suede uppers. They’re the ideal flats to wear to work. Check price at Quince

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, 21″ Quince’s carry-on bag has all the features we love in premium hardshell brands like Monos and Away, but is a fraction of the cost. The wheels smoothly roll over rough concrete and carpeted train aisles. Check price at Quince

Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Super Wide Leg Pant “I put these on to go the office, but they really feel like I’m wearing sweatpants,” says associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. These high-rise stretchy work pants are made with a soft, light fabric that’s great to travel in. Check price at Quince

Quince Silver Threader Drop Earrings “These petite silver earrings strike the perfect balance between elegant and understated,” says associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. “If you’re shopping for a style minimalist, I’d go with these.” Check price at Quince

FAQs on Quince

Why is Quince so affordable?

Quince can maintain such low prices because it uses a direct-to-consumer business model. The brand doesn’t have to budget for overhead costs on wholesalers, brick-and-mortar locations, or warehousing. Instead, it can sell clothing at an average of 50-80% off traditional retail prices by shipping directly from manufacturers.

Where is Quince based?

Quince is headquartered in San Francisco, California and led by CEO Sid Gupta. It partners with manufacturers located mainly in China, India, and Cambodia. These partners vary from mid-sized family-run operations to large factories.

Is Quince a reputable brand?

We can’t abide by all of Quince’s business practices, since there’s no proof Quince is wholly ethical. It claims to partner with some Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) compliant factories in order to ensure safe conditions and fair wages for employees, but BSCI compliance doesn’t equal a certification like Fair Trade. I found the site offers even less information about its animal welfare policies.

Is Quince sustainable?

We like that Quince packaging is made with recycled materials, as well as its use of some organic textiles and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics. Plus, most of its clothing — besides its silks and linens — has a much longer shelf life than fast fashion. But for as often as it touts itself as “sustainable,” Quince doesn’t offer enough clarity on the efficiency of its supply chain.

What is Quince’s return policy?

Quince has a 365-day return window, but there’s a caveat. If you’re going to test it, make sure your payment method (whether that’s PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) adheres to the same default refund period as Quince. If it’s anything less than 365 days, you may receive a Quince store credit instead of your money back.

Is Quince good quality?

Quince does offer high-quality items, but not consistently. It mostly depends on the materials used:

Wins: Cashmere, organic cotton, Tencel, fine jewelryA gamble: Leather goods, washable silkLosses: Linen, jeans

Does Quince clothing run small?

For the most part, it does. It still has a long way to go in terms of size inclusivity. The majority of Quince’s clothing only ranges from XS-XL in women’s and S-XL in men’s. Some of its pants offer different inseam lengths, but we found they don’t fit curvy bodies well. It’s made some progress with a collection of Quince women’s extended sizes that debuted in 2023, but we’d like to see this expanded to men’s styles. It’s also unfair that that Quince charges more money for plus-size clothing.

What’s the verdict on Quince?

If you’re looking for quality wardrobe basics, Quince delivers. It isn’t the one-stop-shop for low-cost luxury goods as it claims to be, but we still think everyone could find at least one thing they love from Quince. Below you’ll find our reviews on the 60+ items we tested, showing where Quince excels and where it let us down.

Source: RhinoEasy News