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Think of some of the most popular garments and accessories of 2023—not the styles and trends seen all over the runways, but the ones that people all over the world rely on as the staples of their everyday wardrobes. Images of high-end leggings, ultra-cozy cashmere, transitional shackets, and versatile belt bags may come to mind. While these items may not be among the fanciest fashion on the market, oftentimes their price tags suggest otherwise. Fortunately for the budget-conscious among us, direct-to-consumer (DTC) retailer Quince is here to help out with an array of affordable wardrobe-essentials.
The brand has skyrocketed in popularity on TikTok, amassing billions of views (yes, billions), and flooding my feed in the process. Naturally, the only logical next step after scrolling past swoon-worthy reviews of the brand over and over again was to try it out for myself. As part of this review, Quince sent me the following products: the Ultra-Soft Performance Legging ($39.90), the All-Day Neoprene Belt Bag ($39.90) the Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater ($50), the Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse ($69.90), the Mongolian Cashmere Sweatpants ($99.90), and the 100% Merino Wool Shirt Jacket ($99.90). And, TL;DR: It’s absolutely worth the hype.
What is Quince?
Quince is a DTC retailer that offers sustainably made, affordably-priced high-end goods. The e-commerce destination places emphasis on making luxury items accessible and, as such, stocks everything from women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing and accessories, to home, travel, and pet goods, all inspired by popular pricey brands of today.
As a matter of fact, the brand is transparent about its pricing structure in comparison to its competitors, outlining the cost of materials, production, packaging, shipping, and credit card fees so shoppers can see the cost of overhead versus profit margins. Moreover, for each product, Quince lists the prices of comparable products from traditional luxury and mass-market retailers.
Quince offers such a wide variety of fashion and home goods that it’s bound to carry at least one item you will fall head over heels for. Perhaps you’ve been dying to get your hands on a cashmere loungewear set after Gigi Hadid launched Guest In Residence, or maybe you’ve long loved the look of the fan-favorite Dagne Dover Fanny Pack but can’t get behind shelling out nearly $100 for the casual accessory. Whatever the case may be, know this: Quince is the queen of dupes. I learned this when testing out six of the brand’s top-selling items—which you’ll uncover my thoughts on, below.
What I liked about Quince
The leggings are incredible
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Reviewed / Quince
The Ultra-Soft Performance Legging from Quince are soft, comfortable, and most importantly, they stay put throughout the day.
First things first, let me tell you about the Quince Ultra-Soft Performance Legging. In three words: I am obsessed. As someone who works out and works from home, I live in leggings every day, typically reaching for pairs from Aerie, Lululemon, or Beyond Yoga. Trust me when I say, these buttery-soft recycled polyester and spandex leggings, which are sold in 11 colors in sizes XS to XL, are some of the most comfortable leggings I have ever worn. When testing them out, I wore them on a 2-mile walk, and not once did they slip down or ride up. Since they’re made with 4-way stretch, they hugged my curves without restricting them and felt so lightweight that I practically felt naked (in a good way). Best of all, unlike so many front-seam leggings, these don’t make for an unsightly camel toe which is a major box to check in my book.
The prices make high-quality textiles and styles accessible
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Reviewed / Quince / Rebecca Norris
Quince offers luxury-level quality in the latest minimalist styles.
Cashmere and silk are about as classic and refined as it gets but they’re also some of the most expensive textiles on the market, putting them out of reach for so many. Thanks to Quince, though, shoppers can enjoy 100% cashmere and 90 to 100% silk for a fraction of the price, all without sacrificing quality.
Truly, when I put on the Quince Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, I was blown away knowing that it costs just $50, when comparative brands like the aforementioned Guest In Residence charge upwards of $200 for a similar style. The tailored silhouette has a ribbed neckline, hem, and cuffs, and is so feathery soft and light that I could wear it all day (after day after day).
Then there’s the Quince Silk Notch Collar Blouse, or what I’m dubbing the ultimate desk-to-drinks shirt. The ever-so-slightly stretchy 90% silk blouse is sold in nine colors in sizes XS to XL and features a slim-yet-drapey fit paired with a generous V-neck. Keep in mind though, if you prefer a more relaxed fit, the brand says to size up and if you’re like me, they may not have your size. Generally a size 12/14, I found the XL to be the perfect tailored size—it wasn’t tight, but it wasn’t flowy either. Size aside, the material is so soft and lightweight, I couldn’t not love it—especially because it’s thermoregulating and machine-washable, both of which are rare for silk.
As much as I dig the cashmere and silk offerings from Quince, it was the brand’s Recycled Belt Bag that made me realize their dupe superiority. When I tell you this bag is a nearly identical replica of the Dagne Dover Fanny Pack—it’s truly jaw-dropping. On one hand, it feels icky, like they’ve identically copied the brand’s statement neoprene accessory, sans the logo; on the other, it’s an absolute marvel that they’ve made such an iconic bag so accessible. While it’s only sold in three colors, the Belt Bag features the front zip pocket, hidden back slip pocket, and even the interior lip balm loop and convenient key carabiner, all of which are key characteristics of the Dagne Dover OG.
What I didn’t love about Quince
The sizing isn’t always the most accurate
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Reviewed / Quince / Rebecca Norris
Despite some sizing inconsistencies, the Quince Merino Wool Shacket is stylish and luxurious.
While there’s so much to love about Quince, there was one thing that stood out. While the brand is great about clearly labeling whether a garment is tailored, relaxed, or oversized, the sizing doesn’t always match up. Take the cashmere for example. Where the Crewneck Sweater felt spot on with sizing, the Cashmere Sweatpants felt quite oversized, without any mention of it being so on the website. I got the XL to be safe on size and they ended up being so big that I had to double roll the waistband to avoid a seriously saggy crotch. Still, considering how soft they are, I wouldn’t avoid them altogether, I just suggest sizing down.
The same goes for the Quince Merino Wool Shacket. While clearly labeled as an oversized design and with the suggestion to size down for a more fitted look, I found that the XL was swimming on my frame, which is a rarity. I could have easily gotten away with a Medium in this jacket for a relaxed fit, while a Large would have likely been the ideal oversized look. In that way, it reminds me of Free People sizing. Misleading sizing aside, the weight and texture of this 100% merino wool jacket felt so luxe, I could imagine myself wearing it through fall and winter—unlike some shackets, though, it’d definitely be too heavy for spring and summer.
Is Quince worth it?
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Reviewed / Quince / Rebecca Norris
Thanks to their sustainable approach and quality products, Quince is worth shopping for all of your neutral wardrobe essentials.
Absolutely. The wide selection and high-quality materials alone make it worth perusing; the fact that it’s sustainable and affordable make it that much better. The only thing that would make me like the brand more is if it were more colorful. Overall, it feels very neutral-classic, in the sense that the brightest colors I came across were navy blue, crimson red, and royal purple. As someone who lives largely by the concept of dopamine dressing, I find the palette to be a bit subdued for my taste—but as far as wardrobe staples go, I know where I’ll be searching in the future.