Charles Tyrwhitt vs. Quince: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Charles Tyrwhitt is a British heritage brand known for its classic, high-quality men's dress shirts and suits, appealing to those who favor traditional craftsmanship. In contrast, Quince operates a direct-to-consumer model focused on modern, minimalist essentials at significantly lower prices, prioritizing sustainability and direct sourcing to offer exceptional value.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and budget.
Charles Tyrwhitt: The Home of Classic British Menswear
Established in 1986, Charles Tyrwhitt has built a solid reputation for creating well-crafted, traditional menswear. The brand is a go-to for professionals seeking polished dress shirts, tailored suits, and formal accessories. They focus on timeless style, with an emphasis on quality material, precise fit, and excellent customer service.
- Product mix: Specializes in men's formalwear, including dress shirts, suits, blazers, trousers, ties, and shoes. They also offer a range of smart-casual clothing like polos, chinos, and sweaters.
- Price point: Dress shirts typically range from $50 to $200, but the brand is known for frequent multi-buy offers like "3 for $99," which offer great value. Suits are priced between $300 and $800.
- Quality & Materials: Utilizes premium fabrics like Egyptian cotton and Italian wool. Shirts feature details like reinforced collars and double-stitched seams designed for durability.
- Sizing/Fit: Offers a comprehensive range of fits, including Classic Fit, Slim Fit, and Extra Slim Fit. Their detailed size guides and multiple sleeve length options help ensure a near-perfect tailored look off the rack.
- Sales: Known for frequent promotions and their multi-buy deals, making it possible to get high-quality shirts at a very competitive price.
- Return policy: A generous 6-month return policy for unworn items, offering significant flexibility.
Charles Tyrwhitt is built for those who appreciate traditional style, detailed craftsmanship, and a precise fit for professional and formal settings.
Shop Charles Tyrwhitt: charlestyrwhitt.co.uk
Quince: The Modern, Affordable Essentialist
Quince is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand that aims to make high-quality goods accessible by eliminating traditional retail markups. Launched in 2016, they emphasize transparent sourcing and sustainable manufacturing across their product lines, which include apparel, accessories, and home goods. Their target customer values minimalist style, ethical production, and a fair price.
- Product mix: Carries a wide selection of men's and women's apparel, from affordable cashmere sweaters and silk blouses to dress shirts. They also sell home goods, travel items, and accessories.
- Price point: Highly competitive, with men's formal shirts priced between $40-$60 and blazers often under $200. This is achieved through their 'factory-direct' sales model.
- Quality & Materials: Focuses on sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and traceable Italian wool. Customer feedback often notes that the quality far exceeds expectations for the price point.
- Sizing/Fit: Provides standard sizing with detailed measurements for each product. The fit is generally modern and true-to-size, balancing comfort and a clean silhouette.
- Sustainability: A core part of their brand identity. They are transparent about their supply chain and use eco-friendly materials and packaging.
- Return policy: Offers free shipping and a 365-day return policy, one of the most generous in the industry.
Quince delivers stylish, versatile basics at an unbeatable price point with a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Shop Quince: quince.com
Charles Tyrwhitt vs. Quince Comparison
Price Comparison
This is the most significant difference between the two brands. Quince consistently offers lower prices thanks to its direct-to-consumer model. A dress shirt from Quince may cost $50, while a comparable shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt might start at $99. However, Charles Tyrwhitt's popular multi-buy offers can bring their per-shirt price down to as low as $33, making them highly competitive if you're buying in bulk.
For single-item purchases, Quince is almost always the more affordable option. For suits and blazers, the price gap is even wider, with Quince's options often costing less than half of what you would pay at Charles Tyrwhitt. If budget is your primary concern, Quince delivers excellent value.
Quality & Materials
Charles Tyrwhitt stakes its reputation on heritage craftsmanship. Their shirts feel substantial, featuring high-quality Egyptian cotton, reinforced collars built to stand up, and neat double-stitching. This attention to detail results in durable garments perfect for a demanding professional wardrobe.
Quince also provides impressive quality for the price. They use high-quality materials like organic cotton and Italian wool, but the construction is generally simpler. Quince shirts are soft, well-made, and perfectly suitable for daily wear, though they may lack the subtle intricacies and custom options found at Charles Tyrwhitt.
Style & Aesthetic
Charles Tyrwhitt embodies classic British formalwear. Think crisp, tailored shirts in traditional patterns like stripes and checks, designed to be worn with a tie and suit. The aesthetic is conservative, polished, and ideal for corporate settings or formal events.
Quince's style is modern and minimalist. Their pieces feature clean lines, simple colors, and a versatile design that easily transitions from the office to a casual dinner. Their focus is on creating timeless essentials that can serve as a foundation for any wardrobe rather than adhering to strict formalwear rules.
Fit & Sizing
Fit is a key strength for Charles Tyrwhitt. They offer a comprehensive range of fit options (Classic, Slim, Extra Slim), along with various collar styles and sleeve lengths. This allows customers to find a virtually custom fit straight from the website, a huge advantage for men who don't fit standard sizing.
Quince offers a more straightforward range of sizes (S, M, L, etc.) with a generally true-to-size, modern cut. While they provide detailed garment measurements, you won't find the same level of granular customization as you do with Charles Tyrwhitt. Quince's fit is designed for comfort and ease, while Charles Tyrwhitt's is designed for precision.
Sustainability & Ethics
Quince clearly leads in this category. Their brand is built on transparency, focusing on sustainable fabrics like organic cotton and using ethical factories. They openly share information about their supply chain, which appeals to a growing number of consumers who value responsible production.
Charles Tyrwhitt places more emphasis on creating durable, long-lasting products, which is a form of sustainability itself. However, they are not as vocal or focused on eco-friendly fabrics and ethical supply chain transparency as Quince.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your personal priorities for style, fit, and budget.
Choose Charles Tyrwhitt if:
- You need a precise, tailored fit and struggle to find shirts that fit well off-the-rack.
- Your wardrobe requires traditional business formalwear for a corporate office or formal events.
- You value heritage craftsmanship and details like reinforced collars and fine stitching.
- You plan on buying multiple shirts at once to take advantage of their excellent multi-buy deals.
Choose Quince if:
- You are building a wardrobe on a budget but refuse to compromise on quality or ethics.
- You prefer a modern, minimalist aesthetic that works for both office and casual wear.
- Sustainability and ethical manufacturing are important factors in your purchasing decisions.
- You want simple, versatile essentials and appreciate a hassle-free, online-only shopping model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charles Tyrwhitt or Quince cheaper?
Quince is generally cheaper for single-item purchases, especially for suits and blazers. However, Charles Tyrwhitt's multi-buy deals (like 3 shirts for $99) can make their per-shirt price lower, offering better value if you're buying several at once.
Which brand has better quality dress shirts?
Charles Tyrwhitt has an edge in traditional craftsmanship, with details like high-end fabrics, superior stitching and sturdier collars. Quince offers exceptional quality for its price, using materials like organic cotton, but Charles Tyrwhitt's shirts are built with a higher level of sartorial detail.
Which brand is better for suits?
Charles Tyrwhitt is the better choice for a classic, professionally tailored suit, offering finer fabrics and more fit options. Quince offers incredibly affordable modern suits and blazers that are great for less formal offices or for building a versatile wardrobe on a budget, but Charles Tyrwhitt excels in traditional formal suiting.
Are Quince products actually good?
Yes. Overwhelmingly, customer feedback praises Quince for delivering quality that far surpasses its price point. Its direct-to-consumer model allows it to sell premium-material goods without the high markups of traditional retailers.
How does Charles Tyrwhitt sizing run?
Charles Tyrwhitt's sizing is known for being consistent and precise. They offer multiple fits (Classic, Slim, Extra Slim) and sleeve length options, so it's best to consult their detailed size guide. Most customers find they run true to their stated measurements.
What are the return policies?
Quince has one of the best return policies in the industry, offering a full 365 days for returns on eligible items. Charles Tyrwhitt offers a very generous 6-month return window for unworn items, giving customers plenty of time to make a decision.
Is Quince a more sustainable brand?
Yes. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are core principles of Quince's business. They are transparent about their materials and factories, which is a key differentiator for the brand. Charles Tyrwhitt focuses more on the longevity of their products as their primary sustainability angle.
Where are these brands from?
Charles Tyrwhitt is a British company founded in London in 1986. Quince is an American company, headquartered in San Francisco and launched in 2016.
