My HONEST Quince Review: What I Liked & What To Avoid [2024] (2024)

Quince has made a name for itself by offering luxury-inspired pieces at a fraction of the price. But is the quality there or is it too good to be true?

As an avid traveler, I took it upon myself to truly test out Quince. I wore multiple outfits during a 3-week trip abroad to assess comfort, versatility, and durability.

Like many mid-to-lower-cost fashion brands, Quince offers clothing that often mimics higher-end brands.

This is why I especially wanted to test pieces that were replicas from higher-end brands like the Quince Neoprene Backpack [similar to the Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack] and the Lightweight Down Puffer Jacket [Similar to the Patagonia Nano Puff]. I was curious to see how the Quince versions would compare.

Overall, I tested 10 pieces of clothing along with a popular Quince backpack. Traveling with these items meant I could wear them quite a few times within a relatively short time. I quickly got a feel for what worked and what didn’t.

If you’ve been eyeing Quince yourself, stick around for my detailed and honest Quince review. I’ll cut through the hype and share which exact items passed my quality test with flying colors–and which ones fell short.

What is Quince?

Quince describes itself as a brand that offers high-quality essentials at an affordable price.

As I mentioned above, I was initially intrigued by the Quince brand because of their low prices and style of clothing. Their pieces reminded me of other, more expensive brands, but with the promise of fairer prices.

Quince boasts that they use high-quality materials like organic linen, organic cotton, Italian leather, alpaca wool, and more. I also heard good things about their silk and merino wool products.

In addition to these materials, Quince uses eco-friendly dyes whenever possible.

Aside from clothing, Quince sells all kinds of items in categories such as Home, Baby & Kids, and Luggage. Their website offers plenty of variety, from leather goods like leather jackets to home goods like sheet sets.

Quince also claims that they have made-to-order items, which makes it seem like they’re more focused on sustainability than fast fashion.

However, other than mentioning made-to-order items on their shipping page, I haven’t seen any direct examples of truly made-to-order items on their website.

Quince Review: My Experience With Quince’s Clothing

The 10 pieces of clothing I tested were a mix of tops, bottoms, and dresses. I also tried one of their accessories–a backpack.

Aside from a quirk or two, I’d say most pieces worked out great as everyday clothing.

However, not all of them were ideal for travel–mainly due to easy-to-wrinkle material and restrictive washing instructions (like needing to put them in the hand/gentle wash or letting them air dry).

Multiple pieces fell in the middle, but there were outliers. In this mix were pieces like the Merino wool sweater (which was more or less a loss) versus the jersey fit & flare dress (which is my latest go-to piece in my closet).

It’s difficult to pin down my experience with Quince into a simple yay or nay. I invite you to read through my experience with each piece to better understand what may work for you.

Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress

One of my new favorite dresses–the Jersey Fit & Flare Dress! This one has a nice bounce to it, is super comfortable and stylish, and fits well.

I tested out the Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress in brown, size small.

Rating: 10/10

When it comes to Quince dresses, I absolutely love the Jersey Fit & Flare Dress. The jersey material makes the dress very comfortable while still being lightweight.

The tank top style lets you wear the dress with a regular-style bra. I also like the length, which is versatile for several different occasions.

The great thing about this dress is that you can dress it up or down; it works for going out with friends or touring a city while traveling.

Plus, it has pockets! Anyone familiar with wearing dresses knows that having pockets is a reason to rejoice.

Lastly, this dress washed well without issues (unlike some of the other Quince pieces I tried).

Tencel Rib Knit Sleeveless Dress

You can see how the lining doesn’t match up on the side in the right-hand photo. I wasn’t a fan of the lining moving around so much and hardly ever being lined up where I wanted it to be.

I tested out the Tencel Rib Knit Sleeveless Dress in dark olive, size small.

Rating: 4/10

I love the color and ultra-soft fabric of this Tencel Rib Knit Sleeveless Dress. But while it’s incredibly soft, it’s also a bit thin.

While wearing this dress, I noticed the lining bunching easily.

After examining why this might be, I found the inner lining wasn’t closely sewn into the rest of the fabric, meaning the layers separated easily and bunched up. Because of this, I didn’t end up wearing it much.

This dress is one of a few examples of quality control issues with some of my Quince pieces.

Cotton Fisherman Crew Sweater

Although the first sweater I received had a hole in it, once I got it replaced, I generally liked wearing this sweater. It’s not anything to write home about–the design is a little on the boxy side and it’s not that cozy–but it’s a nice basic to have in my closet.

I tested out the Cotton Fisherman Crew Sweater in ivory, size small.

Rating: 6/10

I didn’t have a great first impression of the Cotton Fisherman Crew Sweater because it arrived with a small hole in the front. After an e-mail to customer service, a replacement quickly arrived in the mail.

Still, I find the quality falls a bit short. As far as cotton sweaters go, I don’t find this one particularly breathable.

I’m always down for a sweater with a relaxed fit, but this particular choice has a roomier fit than expected, which makes it a bit too boxy for my liking.

I still wear it somewhat often, but I wouldn’t say it’s a favorite sweater.

Ultra-Soft High-Rise Legging – 28″ Inseam

These leggings are on the thinner side but their silky soft material made them an immediate favorite for long travel days.

I tested out the Ultra-Soft High-Rise Legging in heather charcoal, size small.

Rating: 8/10

These Ultra-Soft High-Rise Leggings are true to their name–they’re cloud-like soft, and fit well.

I brought them on my recent UK trip, and they made excellent travel day pants. I especially loved wearing them on the long flight to and from the UK because of how cozy they are.

The only downside to these leggings is that they’re a little thin. Ultimately, the thinness isn’t too bad (they weren’t see-through or anything), and I definitely plan to wear these more.

Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant – Tall

I wore my Ponte Pants most days of my UK trip since they were so comfortable and versatile. I just wish I had gone with my usual pant size (medium) instead of going off the sizing chart for this one.

I tested out the Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant in navy, size small (and tall).

Rating: 7/10

The Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant is an excellent choice for everyday wear while traveling. They’re versatile enough to work well as a pair of work pants, too.

I like that these have an almost legging-like feel without the legging look.

In terms of fit, the pants are a bit tighter than I usually like. But that was my bad for ordering a size small instead of medium (my usual pant size).

I ordered a small because I was going off the size measurements on their site and thought they’d be pretty stretchy. They aren’t thaat stretchy, though, and they’d be a more comfortable fit overall if I had sized up.

These pants have two main cons to note.

First, no pockets. While that does add to the sleek, form-fitting look, I always love pockets for functionality.

The second con comes with quality control. I’ve noticed after a few wears now that the stitching is beginning to come apart slightly on the sides. There are no holes yet, but it makes me think these pants might not last that long.

Australian Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater

I ended up wearing this sweater a lot on my trip because it was the only one I brought, but I just thought it was okay. It was stylish and did its job of keeping me warm but it was a little too scratchy for my taste.

I tried the discontinued Australian Merino Wool Sweater in black, size small. This is now the closestoption.

Rating: 6/10

Wearing this Australian Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater was fine–until it needed a wash.

This piece completely shrunk after a wash on the gentle cycle. That may be on me for not researching the proper washing technique (spoiler alert: hand wash only).

But when I say this sweater shrunk, it shrunk. It’s at the point where it’d probably only fit a child. Wearing it is out of the question now…

Maybe that’s okay, though, since I found the wool to be a bit scratchy and not as soft other wool sweaters I own.

Lightweight Down Puffer Jacket

Another piece that I wore almost every day for three weeks, this one was a decent knock-off of the Patagonia Nano Puff, but was hard to wash and didn’t always keep me quite as warm as I wanted.

I tested out this Lightweight Down Puffer Jacket in black, size small.

Rating: 8/10

I chose to try this Lightweight Down Puffer Jacket because it’s a similar style to the Patagonia Nano Puff. While the jacket looks similar from afar, there’s a noticeable difference in warmth.

I wasn’t always quite warm enough in this on chilly nights in the UK. With that said, the jacket has worked great for day-to-day wear since I arrived back in warmer California.

The true disappointment I faced with this jacket came after washing it on a gentle cycle. There was a noticeable decrease in puffiness, and the interior feathers began coming out.

This could be a mistake on my end for not hand washing, but it also concerns me when considering quality control.

Mongolian Cashmere Tee

I love the color and softness of this shirt and I’ve worn it a bunch now. The only downside is how thin it is, but that also means it’s a nice lightweight basic.

I tested out this Mongolian Cashmere Tee in spicy mustard, size small.

Rating: 9/10

I love this Mongolian Cashmere Tee!

The cashmere is buttery, soft, and very lightweight. The only downside is that it’s a bit thin, meaning more see-through than I prefer.Choosing one of the darker colors may help this issue since I chose a pretty light color.

Then again, sometimes it’s nice to have cashmere t-shirts on the thin side because the material is so warm by nature.

Still, the fit is great, and I love my chosen mustard color.

Stretch Silk Short Sleeve Notch Collar Blouse

I wanted to like this silk shirt more, but it wrinkles SO easily. You basically have to iron or steam it every time you want to wear it again, which is a bit too much maintenance for me.

I tested out this Stretch Silk Short Sleeve Notch Collar Blouse in ivory, size small.

Rating: 6/10

I was drawn to this Stretch Silk Short Sleeve Notch Collar Blouse because I loved the sound of a washable silk blouse.

While I enjoy wearing this shirt since it’s a different style and cut than I normally wear, it falls short in several ways.

First off, it’s very thin and, therefore, see-through. This may not be as big of an issue with the different color options like black and navy. But with the white option, I always have to wear it with an undershirt.

Additionally, this shirt wrinkles super easily. The first wear was fine, but I only wore it once on my three-week trip because I didn’t have the time or resources to steam it before starting each day.

You’d probably expect that from a material like washable silk, but it’s something to consider.

Silk Slip Dress

I like this dress a lot–classy, simple, yet timeless. I also like that the top part isn’t too revealing when you bend over, a rarity with this type of cut.

I tested out this Silk Slip Dress in navy, size small.

Rating: 8/10

This Silk Slip dress is available in over nine colors, and I was glad I chose a dark one.

The dress is very thin and wrinkles easily, like the other washable silk piece I tried.

All that said, I really like the style and cut of this dress. There’s something elegant yet simple about it. I wear it for date nights or throw a sweater over the top to make a silk skirt out of the bottom half of the dress.

All-Day Neoprene Backpack

The Neoprene backpack is a very solid and stylish backpack, the only downside is its lack of padding.

I tested out this All-Day Neoprene Backpack in Mocha.

Rating: 8/10

I was interested in the All-Day Neoprene Backpack because it reminded me of the Dagne Dover Neoprene Backpack but at half the price.

I’m happy to report I liked this backpack even more than I expected.

This is a great backpack to use as a personal item for flying or traveling in general. The bag has a built-in luggage strap on the back, allowing you to slide it over suitcase handles. I also like the velcro tablet pocket inside, the overall bag capacity, and the soft outer material.

There are just two downsides I’ve noticed about this backpack…

First off, the straps don’t have much padding. After a long day of carrying this around exploring, the straps wore on my shoulders a bit. If there’s anything I could change, I’d add more padding for comfort.

Additionally, the backpack’s water bottle holders are way too small. The sleeves barely fit a plastic water bottle you’d buy at the airport, let alone my standard-size 22-oz reusable water bottle.

It makes me think the pockets are more for style than functionality.

Quince Sizing Tips & Fit

I typically prefer brands that offer sizing based on the numerical system, as I find it tends to be more specific than small, medium, and large.

Regardless, I found the sizing guide on the website to be useful and correct (for the most part).

Quality Control

Although Quince brands itself as a place to find good quality at affordable prices, I found the quality control to be lacking with a few pieces.

Whether it was the lining that wasn’t attached well or the feathers that came out of the puffer jacket, I worry whether these pieces will last long term.

Quince Return & Exchange Policy

The timeline allotted for Quince returns is pretty impressive. Items can be returned up to 365 days from the purchase date–provided the items are unworn and in their original packaging.

Any made-to-order items have a $35 restocking fee.

Shipping is free and takes about 6-9 business days to arrive. You have the option to pay for expedited shipping if you wish.

Currently, Quince only ships in the United States. Check their Shipping & Returns page for the most up-to-date information.

Quince Discounts & Coupons

If you’re looking for a Quince discount code or sale, your best bet is to check during the major holidays that often bring sales, like Black Friday or Memorial Day.

Where to Buy Quince Clothing

As Quince is a direct-to-consumer clothing brand, the only place you can buy Quince clothing is on their website.

FAQs About Quince Clothing

Is Quince legit?

Yes, Quince is legit. Many customers, myself included, have been quite happy with the products they’ve received from Quince.

Is Quince real silk?

Yes! Quince offers 90% to 100% real silk products.

Is Quince really high quality?

Yes and no. Quince markets itself as a brand that offers quality materials at better prices than other brands. However, from my experience, the quality faltered with at least a handful of pieces.

Why is Quince cheap?

Quince explains that prices remain low because the middleman is cut out. Quince products are sourced directly from manufacturers and offered to customers. This practice is part of the direct-to-consumer model.

Is Quince a Chinese company?

While Quince is headquartered in San Francisco, California, they use more than 50 manufacturers from all over the globe to make their products. Some of these manufacturers are in China.

Is Quince an ethical company?

When asked about sustainable practices beyond the information available on their website, Quince said:

“Our supply chain is socially and environmentally responsible, with 70% of our products being made from renewable materials, and 100% of the factories we work with are certified by third-party auditors to ensure safe and equitable working conditions.”

Additionally, Quince is working towards eliminating non-recycled plastics from their packaging. They promise to have all packaging 100% compostable by the end of 2023.

You may find yourself sacrificing quality for the low prices. While Quince is not technically fast fashion, it kind of defeats the purpose if clothes don’t last long and must be replaced.

Conclusion: So, is Quince’s Clothing Worth it?

Based on my overall experience with the brand and clothing pieces I tried, I’d give Quince a 7/10 rating overall.

Quince clothing is worth it–as long as you keep your expectations at the same level as the price.

Higher quality, fully sustainable, and actual made-to-order items are out there. But if you want to try something a bit more accessible, check out Quince.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Mimi McFadden grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and founded The Atlas Heart in 2013. Mimi has always been into fashion to some extent, but really started paying attention to it more at the age of 28 when she no longer lived out of a backpack as a full-time traveler. Once she started owning her personal style (and had an actual closet), she focused on finding the perfect balance of comfort and versatility for her wardrobe. As one of the main clothing testers at The Atlas Heart, she is always on the lookout for fun new clothing brands to try out that can add style and comfort to her travels around California, especially those that focus on sustainability.

Monroe Dziersk

Monroe Dziersk is a twenty-something American who has lived in the USA, Italy, and Czechia. A self-proclaimed Europhile, she has a passion for international education, traveling, and becoming a global citizen, having visited more than twenty countries. You can often find her accompanied by a good book and her calico cat.

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