The Affordable Cashmere Sweater Brand You Must Try

“Is Quince cashmere legit?” I considered this question myself, as I noticed the prices were too good to be true. The up-and-coming cashmere label is best known for its $50 affordable cashmere sweater. And its branding is familiar to transparent brands such as Everlane and Naadam, both of which have a cult-like following. After seeing my favorite blogger Extra Petite share about it, I decided to purchase a few pieces as gifts this holiday: one for myself, one for a friend. Here is an honest Quince cashmere product review so far.

Why is Quince so cheap?

The affordable cashmere brand has a very simple supply chain model: it ships directly from factory to the customer. As a result, there are no middlemen fees that could traditionally be built into the mark-up price. Meanwhile, Quince is still selective in the mills it works with. According to the site, the brand only partners with factories that pay fair wages. And you thought Everlane’s $100 Cashmere Crew was too good to be true…

Is Quince a Sustainable Brand?

Unlike Everlane, Quince does not advertise sustainability as the focal point of its brand, but rather, affordability. Yet, according to their website, they still remain thoughtful about the factories they work with, and appear transparent about their production costs. Another aspect I appreciate is that its simple supply chain model reduces a lot of carbon emissions.

So while Quince does not label itself as a ‘sustainable’ brand, I see that it cares about remaining socially and environmentally responsible. Based on what I can discern, I feel comfortable purchasing from them.

*This post contains affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, though at no additional cost to you.

STYLES I’M LOVING FROM QUINCE CASHMERE

QUINCE CASHMERE PRODUCT REVIEW

As a textile scientist, you know I couldn’t talk about one of my favorite fibers without digging into some of the technical details. So here are some specs that Quince shares:

• 100% Grade-A Mongolian Cashmere (Grade-A: ~14-15 microns)
• Higher grade means finer, softer, and longer cashmere (it’s rare, and normally very expensive)
• Retains shape after being stretched (as a property of the fibers being longer and more resilient)

For an affordable cashmere sweater, I would say these qualities score pretty well.

What is the quality of my Quince Cashmere Sweater Dress like?

I will be honest, the price is amazing for the quality. A cashmere sweater dress for under $100 is unheard outside of Black Friday. However, Quince’s cashmere sweater dress is just under $90 all year-long. To temper expectations though, it is not heavyweight cashmere. The fabric is certainly soft, but the yarn is pretty fine. (Unconfirmed, but likely single-ply yarn)

This lovely knit most closely resembles Bloomingdale’s AQUA Cashmere A-Line Sweater dress. Comparison image below. Both are gorgeous dresses, but different silhouettes.

How does Quince compare to other cashmere brands?

Comparing the brand to other cashmere items I have in my closet (Macy’s Charter Club / Banana Republic), Quince’s fabric does feel the thinnest. However, since the material is inherently very warm, this point is not an issue for me, especially not at its current price point. One of my common problems with cashmere pieces is that they do pill very easily. I have only worn this dress a few times so far, so I will report back in a few months on my findings 🙂

For questions on why I hang my sweaters this way, check out my Instagram post.

So what about those $1,000+ cashmere pieces?

Expensive cashmere is a luxury that not everyone can afford. But if affordable cashmere sweaters do exist, why do people still pay a premium? Having worked in luxury fashion before, I can say that fabric weight and grade are the main distinguishing factors.

Earlier, I made a point about the yarn likely being single-ply cashmere. If you ever feel a luxury cashmere piece, it is normally thicker (using double-ply yarn and maybe even double-cloth fabric). I explain what is a double-cloth fabric in an earlier post.

If you want an example, visit Loro Piana, which is known in the industry for some of the most luxurious fabrics! These are aspirational pieces that few can afford, but I deeply appreciate the craftsmanship. A touch of heaven…literally.

Similar Cashmere Options On Sale

Another reason for Quince’s accessible price is that its designs are simple. You won’t find any intricate details such as unique stitching or creative necklines. The cut of this dress is also pretty straight. I got impatient waiting for size S to be restocked, so ended up buying a M. The fit is a lot slouchier, but nothing that a belt couldn’t fix.

If you are a loyal Bloomingdale’s fan looking for more cashmere options, I do recommend AQUA’s cashmere pieces this winter. They offer more variety in terms of silhouettes, and these styles are mostly 40% off with excellent reviews! (Slightly more than Quince, but still not a terrible price)

*This collage is directly shoppable.

Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Cashmere Pearl Puff Sleeve Sweater | Fringe Sweater| Cashmere Cardigan | Balloon Sleeve Sweater | Crew Neck Sweater | Mock Neck Sweater

The Bottom Line on Quince Cashmere

If you are looking for a slight more elevated piece, Quince’s affordable cashmere sweater gets the job done. However, if you are looking for a true investment that hits the mark for detailed craftsmanship and quality, some of the higher-end brands still exist for a reason.

I hope you enjoyed reading this Quince cashmere product review. Please be sure to leave a comment if you have thoughts on the brand, or have other points you would like to add! I look forward to connecting with you.