The market is flooded with direct-to-consumer brands these days, and while they tend to offer products at a reduced price thanks to cutting out the middleman, it’s not always clear if their products are better quality than a traditional retailer. But I still feel intrigued when a brand claims to offer quality items at a lower price point – and after more than a year of receiving ads for Quince and repeatedly adding and deleting items from my cart, I finally hit checkout.
Note: this post is not sponsored and I purchased these items myself. Prices were valid at time of original publication but are subject to change. If you see something you like, you can shop it here and support this blog at the same time by shopping the affiliate links included in this post - thank you for your support!
Out of all the DTC brands out there, I think Quince is probably best compared to Italic (more of my thoughts on Italic are here and here): there are differences in the categories they carry, but both claim to offer high-quality affordable clothing, bags, accessories, and home goods at a low price. Both also disclose that their products are created in the same factories that manufacture for other luxury brands.
But this isn’t really intended to be a “Quince vs. Italic” comparison post – instead, I’m here today to review the items in my first Quince order. Thanks to their free shipping and generous return policy, placing my first order felt very low-risk. And since I used another blogger’s referral link to save $20 on my first purchase, my total cost was lower than anticipated; if you decide to shop through my referral link, you can save $20 on your first purchase, too (I’ll also receive credit). Edit: Quince has asked me to remove my referral link but you can always send me an email to request one.
I added a lot of things to my cart before checking out: fine jewelry, leather bags, a linen duvet cover, and more. But in the end, I whittled the items down to six: the Washable Stretch Silk Cami, Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress, Ultra-Soft Performance Pocket Legging, Ultra-Soft Performance Cropped Tank, Flowknit Ultra-Soft Performance Biker Short, and Tencel Jersey Tank Maxi Dress.
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
I chose these items to fill in a few wardrobe gaps or to check off a few items from my wardrobe wishlist. Easy-wearing black dresses are always a favorite for travel and for date night, and I was easily tempted by two jersey options. There are many silk offerings on the Quince site, so I also decided to give one of them a try before ordering multiple styles.
And since I hit a point recently where I’m wearing my workout gear faster than I can launder it, I thought I’d try a few pieces for way less than the price of those other famous athletic wear shops. So, how’d they all work out? I’ll chat through the quality, value, fit (for reference, I’m 5’4″, and my current measurements are 35″-28″-40.5″), and more for each item below, as well as my overall thoughts on the brand so far:
WASHABLE STRETCH SILK CAMI
Washable Stretch Silk Cami Color | Ivory Size | S Price | $39.90 Also wearing | Shorts* | Necklace | Earrings
A non-shiny, creamy-white camisole has been on my shopping list for years, and the photos and reviews for the Washable Stretch Silk Cami made Quince’s version seem like a promising option. This is the first silk garment I’ve considered that has a touch of stretch (the fabric is 90% mulberry silk and 10% Spandex – I typically prefer natural fibers to a synthetic blend), but the machine-washability sealed the deal.
The lighter silk colors are lined, and I appreciate that it’s lined all the way to the bottom hem rather than just at the bust. However, in ivory at least, the camisole is still too sheer to wear without a bra. Thankfully, I recently visited a local shop to be fitted for a strapless bra, and it sits nicely under the camisole after adjusting the straps.
The top runs a little long on me (although I don’t see myself wearing this untucked), but tucking isn’t an issue as the fabric is thin enough to tuck without bulging. As for the fabric, the silk feels incredibly soft to the touch, and if you aren’t stretching the fabric, you might not even realize that it is a blend.
I have tested the machine-washability by washing this on delicates in a mesh bag (and laying flat to dry) without any issues; for my sanity, though, I will likely still resort to hand-washing.
The elephant in the room for me is the color. It’s beautiful and exactly what I wanted, but as a messy eater, I am definitely nervous about staining it. At just shy of $40, replacing it would be an easier pill to swallow than replacing a similar cami from other brands, which seem to all hover around or above $100. Should that day come, at least I’d have a very soft tank for sleeping in.
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TENCEL JERSEY FIT & FLARE DRESS
Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress Color | Black Size | S Price | $39.90 Also wearing | Shoes* | Necklace | Earrings
I was a little bummed I missed out on Everlane’s version of a fit-and-flare dress earlier this summer, but Quince’s Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress is a great dupe for less than half the price. While I’ve always loved jersey fabric in theory (particularly for travel, thanks to its stretch and aversion to wrinkling), in my experience it can sometimes come off as cheap and shiny.
The Quince dress doesn’t read as shiny to me, and I instantly felt good in it once I draped it over my body. The middle seam hits right at my waist, and the neckline is low without showing my bra. I took these photos without steaming the dress, and despite a few minor wrinkles, it looked pretty good right out of the package (and so I assumed, it would look good right out of a packed suitcase). This dress felt like an instant keeper, so I removed the tags, washed it, and went to wear it one hot day a short time later.
Only in the natural light of day (i.e., not in my rental home with its terrible lighting) did I realize how sheer this dress is. I looked in a mirror, and all I could see in my reflection was my bra showing through the dress. Talk about frustrating!
I suppose I could have tried to locate a slip to match the square neckline, but instead, I decided to email Quince to ask if they’d honor a return for this already washed-and-worn item. They kindly agreed, and promptly sent me a return label. Perhaps this dress will work with a layer underneath, but ultimately I decided that even at a reasonable price it wasn’t worth the hassle. A real shame, as I’d already envisioned myself traipsing around in it while traveling…
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ULTRA-SOFT PERFORMANCE POCKET LEGGING
Ultra-Soft Performance Pocket Legging Color | Black Size | M Price | $39.90 Also wearing | Tank | Sneakers℅ | Earrings
My athletic leggings are all more than five years old (some of my Victoria’s Secret Sport leggings are probably close to ten years 🥴), and they’re starting to show their age. So when I saw the Ultra-Soft Performance Pocket Legging, I thought it might be a good option for starting the slow process of replacing some of my old workout clothes.
The price is in line with many other activewear brands, especially brands that often hold sales, so I don’t necessarily feel like $40 is a deal (the non-pocket version is just shy of $30, which seems a little more palatable) but it’s not a budget-buster either.
Right out of the package, these leggings definitely live up to their “ultra-soft” name. The fabric feels smooth and comfortable in the hand, and they pull on easily without unnecessary tugging. With a 26.5″ inseam, they bunch up around my ankles, but that is almost every legging for me.
After my experience with the Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress, I worried about the sheerness of Quince’s athletic wear, but thankfully the leggings seem to cover everything well. The fit of these leggings isn’t compressive – they offer a small amount of support but are ultimately stretchier (versus a hold-you-in kind of fit) and better for yoga.
The pocket was the most exciting feature, and I’ve already worn them on several neighborhood walks. It’s so nice to just slip my phone and keys in my pocket, and not need to worry about bringing a belt bag. The leggings also have a small card pocket on the inside of the waistband, which I love from a travel perspective.
But they’re not quite perfect. I don’t feel like they’re as sweat-wicking as my other leggings, so I can’t really wear them to any cardio-heavy workouts. And because of my hip-to-waist ratio, I find myself tugging them up somewhat often (I don’t think I could size down or they’d be too tight in the hips). I won’t be replacing all of my old athletic leggings with Quince’s, but I will be wearing these for strength training at the gym or walking around the block.
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ULTRA-SOFT PERFORMANCE CROPPED TANK
Ultra-Soft Performance Cropped Tank Color | Black Size | S Price | $29.90 Also wearing | Bra* | Leggings | Shorts | Sneakers℅ | Earrings
This cut has always plagued me – something about having a narrow ribcage and a fuller bust typically means a wardrobe malfunction is much more likely to happen. But with other items in my cart already, I felt there was no harm in giving the Ultra-Soft Performance Cropped Tank a try.
Although it has a built-in bra, I don’t find it supportive enough on its own for anything other than a very chill meditation session – which is why I’m showing it here with and without a grey supportive sports bra underneath (i.e., how I’ll likely always wear it).
I’m not usually one to succumb to athletic wear trends, but it does make me feel a little more put together to wear a matching set to the gym. Like the leggings, I’m keeping this one, but not replacing all of my workout tops any time soon. I don’t feel at risk of bouncing out of the top, but I wish it had an extra inch or two at the bottom hem.
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FLOWKNIT ULTRA-SOFT PERFORMANCE BIKER SHORT
Flowknit Ultra-Soft Performance Biker Short Color | Black Size | M Price | $24.90 Also wearing | Tank | Bra* | Sneakers℅ | Earrings
Given the choice of working out in leggings or shorts, 98% of the time I will choose leggings. But shorts have their time and place in that 2%, and I’ve long wanted a sleek pair without pockets to balance out my pocketed pair.
This style had a major trend moment over the summer, but it’s such a classic that I’ll continue wearing them for walks and workouts until they fall apart. The shorts are made of the same super soft and stretchy fabric as the tank and leggings reviewed above and are just as opaque. Where these differ, though, is the lack of a pocket inside the waistband. I’m not sure why it would be included in the leggings, but not the shorts (I’m also a little confused why the shorts are cheaper than the tank).
Fit-wise, the shorts are also a little loose in the waist on me, so I’ll have to limit these to easy activities. Style-wise, I’m currently only wearing them in active settings – but I’ll never say never to wearing them in daily life, perhaps with a cute blazer and sneakers…
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TENCEL JERSEY TANK MAXI DRESS
Tencel Jersey Tank Maxi Dress Color | Black Size | M Price | $39.90 Also wearing | Necklace | Earrings
Apologies in advance for ending on what was a dud for me! I went into this knowing it’s a difficult cut for my body to wear but placed the order anyway (because you never really know until you try!). I waffled between ordering the small and medium, but found the reviews weren’t much help with sizing; ultimately, I decided to go with a Medium to accommodate my hips.
Even in the Medium, the fabric of this maxi dress, while soft, still pulled far too tight across my hips. Seeing every lump and bump accentuated made this an instant no, particularly as I’m not fond of shapewear. But even though this dress is not the one for me, I’m still tempted to try to find a version that works. This style would make an amazing, travel-ready addition to any suitcase.
*This item is no longer available and a similar product is linked
FINAL THOUGHTS ON QUINCE + WHAT I’D TRY NEXT
| Update: I placed another Quince order! You can find all of my Quince reviews HERE |
Quince’s clothing reminds me a bit of Everlane in the early days, with an online storefront of well-made basics shipped to you very slowly – although with a more robust selection. Overall, I’d say these pieces feel like they are a good value: where the quality and price align with my expectations (and sometimes exceed them).
All of the items reviewed in this post were on the lower end of the price spectrum, so I’d love to give some of their pricier (and hopefully more luxurious) items a try and share them with you here. And if it doesn’t work out? Their return policy is incredibly generous, so there’s that.
A few items on my Quince wishlist:
- A cozy cotton cardigan
- A still-on-trend square-neck tank
- A holiday-party-ready top and skirt
- A jewelry box for all of my treasures and something beautiful to store inside
- A goes-with-everything classic
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Do you prefer to shop at direct-to-consumer brands or legacy brands?
I’m also intrigued by Quince! I’ve been eyeing their leather jacket and some of the fine jewelry… good to know they have an easy return policy!
Ooh, if you get the leather jacket you’ll have to report back! I caved and bought the single solid gold hoop for an upper-lobe piercing, and the quality seems incredible (obviously I’m just having to take them at their word for the metals content, but the clasp feels so solid and sturdy). It gives me hope for ordering some other jewelry pieces!
I read this one, too, and I am surprised the fit/flare dress is so transparent! I received one by Marine Layer from Stitch Fix this summer that I like (though I needed to shorten the straps, because I’m short), and it was a nice ribbed material and not transparent at all!
Yikes, that was such a disappointment!
Thanks for the recommendation – Marine Layer’s quality is so great!
Was return shipping free? Or deducted from your refund? I can’t find that information anywhere on their website. Thanks!
Great question! Yes, return shipping is currently free – they’ll send you a label to print and attach 🙂
A thorough and insightful review of Quince! 🍐 Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for the reviews. What is your experience with the bike shorts after washing and drying? Do they shrink at all?
Great question! I don’t typically machine dry my workout clothes because I find the elastic wears down too fast, but the bike shorts have remained the same size after machine washing and line drying.