Has there ever been a fabric more associated with summer than linen?
Perhaps Lycra, I suppose – if you live in a swimming region.
But linen has been the queen of summer dressing for millennia. Linen fibers are highly breathable and have moisture-wicking abilities, and its resulting fabric has anti-static tendencies, shying away from sticking to the skin.
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Between trips, I’m continuing to share reviews of items that have made their way into my wardrobe, and now that we’re heading into the warmest months of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere, it feels prudent to bring you some more linen reviews.
Looking for more honest reviews? Find them all sorted by brand in my Style Reviews Index.
Over the past few years, dresses have become my go-to outfits on days when I don’t have time (or can’t be bothered) to try to fashion together multiple pieces before running out the door. It’s far simpler to throw a dress over my head, grab a pair of simple sandals or sneakers, and go about my day.
So after bringing you reviews of Quince’s linen separates, today I’m sharing reviews from the brand’s popular line of linen dresses and jumpsuits: the 100% European Linen Button Front Dress, the 100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress, and the 100% European Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit.
Who’s ready to get dressed (and quickly!)?
MY REVIEW OF QUINCE’S LINEN DRESSES
100% European Linen Button Front Dress
100% European Linen Button Front Dress | Black, Size Small
This is the first linen dress I recall seeing on the Quince website (and given that the URL for this dress is just “linen-dress” it might be the very first!). This short-sleeve dress features a notched collar, nine buttons down the center line, two pockets along the side seams, and a removable tie belt. After months of wearing it, here are my thoughts:
Sizing and Fit | I often sit right on the line between size small (on the top) and medium (on the bottom) in most brands, and after pouring over the reviews, I went with the small in this dress. I think it was the right call – any smaller and it would be too tight in the hips and any larger and my chest and shoulders would be swimming. As you can see, I’m wearing a tank underneath the dress because it’s a little low-cut and my bra shows; I will likely sew in a clear snap at the top of the buttons so it’s not quite so revealing. For reference, my measurements are here.
Quality | Like the Washable Silk Midi Tank Dress (reviewed here), I found the Linen Button Front Dress sheer even in black. But unlike the silk dress, I found this one wearable with a tank and slip shorts underneath. I would love to see Quince double-layer the fabric or at least consider adding a lining to this dress so we don’t have to fret about our undergarments (it would surely make packing easier!). Other than being thin, the linen in this dress is soft on the skin and it is prone to wrinkling.
Styling | This dress gives me “Spritz on the Italian Riviera” vibes and calls for warm weather accessories (sandals, a chic pair of sunglasses, a straw hat, and/or a neck scarf would compliment this dress beautifully), but I’m not opposed to pairing it with some classic sneakers as well. While some dresses can morph from summer to fall through a pair of tights, I’m not quite convinced this dress can. That’s okay – summer will return next year.
My takeaway | Not a soul is going to accuse you of being a trendsetter in this dress, and that’s fine because it’s an absolute classic. My gripes with this dress (the sheerness, in particular) are the same as my frustrations with nearly every other brand these days, so until brands are willing to step up and willing to bring back a focus on opacity, I’ll be over here with my slip shorts.
→also wearing: Sunglasses | Necklace* | Shoes | Bag*
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100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress
100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress | Black, Size Small
The fit and flare dress has largely fallen out of favor, but this blogger will never give up the cut entirely. With a fun square neckline and pockets (!), the 100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress caught my eye one day while scrolling Quince’s new arrivals. I couldn’t help myself – I had to order it and share my thoughts.
Fit | Um, was this dress made for me? The Fit & Flare Midi Dress hits right at my natural waist and flares out gently to my mid-calves. My tall friends will appreciate that the straps are adjustable thanks to interior buttons at the shoulder blade (at 5’4″, I have them on the tightest setting). My tiny note is that the straps slip off my shoulders occasionally, and I will probably end up adding bra keepers to hold them in place. This is so easy to do, by the way. Even if you’re intimidated by sewing, it’s the quickest, most satisfying fix – I swear by this tutorial.
Quality | When this dress hit the site, I was thrilled because the website indicated the Fit & Flare Midi Dress was fully lined. Fast-forward to me opening my package a week or so later only to be disappointed to discover that the dress is only lined from the shoulders to the waist (Quince has since updated the listing to reflect that only the white dress is fully lined). It’s such a shame because the double-linen smocked bodice is so nice to wear.
To make the dress wearable, I toss the brand’s silk skirt underneath. In the photos above, you can clearly see my calves at the bottom of the dress; with this silhouette, I don’t want any light peeking through my thighs (so the slip shorts are a no-go here).
Styling | It’s funny that I wore the same sandals when shooting this and the Linen Button Front Dress (these were shot ten months apart, I should add!). I feel a bit like a ballerina princess in this dress, and I am enjoying leaning into that feeling with more feminine accessories like these cat-eye sunglasses and sweet bow bag and dressing it up even further with heels.
My takeaway | Having a fully lined skirt dangled in front of me like a carrot and then having it taken away felt particularly cruel, but I’m over the moon with the fit. Just like with the Linen Button Front Dress, I do get some wrinkling here, but it doesn’t seem to wrinkle quite as badly. Until they make a fully lined version in a color other than white (I know better than to tempt fate!), I’ll be over here, grumbling about putting on a slip.
→also wearing: cat-eye sunglasses | Necklace* | Earrings | Shoes | Bag*
MY REVIEW OF QUINCE’S LINEN JUMPSUIT
100% European Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit
100% European Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit | Blue Pinstripe, Size Small
After several summers of reaching for a similar-looking jumpsuit (shown here) on those unbearable summer days, I began debating whether or not to order the 100% European Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit from Quince. That was more than a year ago, and while I like to mull things over before purchasing, that was a long time even for me. And now that it’s here? Well…
Fit | To put it bluntly, this jumpsuit does not suit my body type. It’s way too snug in the hips, pulling across my front and bum, yet it gaps slightly at the neckline and across my back (despite the elastic band), and has an excess of room in the waist. A medium might fit my hips better, but the small is already too large in the top. On the bright side, the length is perfect, and the adjustable straps are a nice touch.
Quality | Like other linen tops from Quince, the linen in this jumpsuit feels nice and crisp in the hand, and the garment appears to be well-constructed. My gripe is still the sheerness, which is made even more apparent thanks to the pockets. That’s the kind of opacity I want in a garment.
Styling | The best thing about a jumpsuit is the ease of styling – just throw it on and go. But if you’re looking to jazz things up a bit, consider adding fun accessories that lean into the picnic vibes of the pinstripes, like a basket bag or sweet earrings. By layering a tee underneath or popping a matching button-down on top (tied at the waist would be so cute!), you can easily wear this on Spring’s chillier days.
I should mention that I’m not a big fan of the single back pocket (two cheeks or no cheeks, please), but that’s just me.
My takeaway | If it’s not obvious already, I’ve decided not to keep this jumpsuit, largely because of the fit. If you’re into fruit comparisons, my apple-shaped friends will love this jumpsuit and its price – just perhaps in the darker hues.
→also wearing: Sandals | Hoop Earrings | Stud Earrings
FINAL THOUGHTS ON QUINCE’S LINEN DRESSES + JUMPSUIT
Embracing the wrinkles of linen is always going to be a bit of a personal challenge for me, putting aside my perfectionist tendencies to lean into the worn-in look. But when the temperatures go into triple digits, it’s easy to stop caring so much about frivolous things and just try to keep cool.
Quince’s linen is a good value (i.e. bang for your buck), and I’d say it’s pretty comparable to your elevated mall brands like J. Crew and Banana Republic for about half the price. But I won’t deny that in a single layer, it is sheer, which is an issue I’m having across almost all retailers right now, as they push the limits on what consumers will accept. Thankfully, Quince’s generous return policy makes it easy to send back a piece that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
As for Quince’s other linen styles, I’m currently eyeing the 100% European Linen Tank Mini Dress and the 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress, which are both fully lined. If I end up ordering any of these items, I’ll update this post with my honest review.
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Questions for you
How are you feeling about wearing linen? Do you embrace the wrinkles, or do they bother you?
Have you noticed an uptick in sheer clothing (that typically shouldn’t be sheer?)
*this item is no longer available and a similar is linked
Looking for more? You may also like:
- Sets Appeal: A Review of Almost Every Linen Top and Bottom from Quince
- I Tried Quince for the First Time and I Have a Lot of Thoughts
- Quince 100% Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress Review
- Quince Cashmere, Cotton, and Alpaca Sweater Reviews
- Quince Washable Silk Slip Dress Review
- Quince Washable Stretch Silk Tank Midi Dress Review
- Quince Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater Dress Review
- Quince Italian Wool Double-Breasted Coat Review
- A Comparison of Carry-On Luggage from Quince and Away
- Effortless Summer Style: An Honest Review of Universal Standard’s Size-Inclusive Linen
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It’s too bad these aren’t lined. I have the scoop neck midi dress and can confirm that it’s lined, at least down to the back vent.
It would make such a difference! I know other brands on the market are skipping out on the lining too – it’s such a shame.
Hi, I was looking at some menswear from quince. Can you tell us more about your experiences with the return process? Is it actually as easy as they claim? And what do they charge for a return label? I’m going to have to buy multiple sizes to try and I want to make sure it’s actually easy to return. Thanks!
Sure thing! The return process has been incredibly easy – you just pull up your order history and mark the items you want to return, and Quince sends you a label. There’s no additional cost for return shipping and you’ll receive a full refund on most items (there are a few exclusions that are listed here, and I’ll also note that if you return an item you’ve purchased with rewards credit, you won’t get the credit back). As long as you leave all tags on, you should be good to go!
I love linen, but these 2 dresses are not flattering, in my opinion.