Madewell vs. Quince: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Madewell is famous for its timeless, high-quality denim and casual-chic apparel, positioned at a mid-range price point. In contrast, Quince operates a direct-to-consumer model, focusing on offering luxury essentials like cashmere and silk for significantly lower prices, emphasizing a minimalist and sophisticated aesthetic.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and budget.

Madewell: The Denim & Casual-Chic Authority

Madewell has established itself as the go-to brand for women seeking effortless, well-made essentials, especially denim. A sister brand to J.Crew, it targets young professionals and style-conscious shoppers who appreciate durable, versatile pieces that blend classic style with modern, relaxed touches. Its brand identity is built on quality, approachability, and an everyday cool factor.

• Product mix: Extensive denim collection including jeans, jackets, and shorts. Also offers a wide range of tops, dresses, sweaters, outerwear, leather bags, and shoes.
• Price point: Mid-range. Jeans typically cost between $80-$150, basic tees around $30, and leather jackets or bags can be $200-$500.
• Quality: Known for durable, high-quality denim that holds its shape and lasts for years. Its other apparel lines use reliable materials like cotton and linen suitable for everyday wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally runs true to size with a reputation for consistent and flattering denim fits, available in petite, standard, and tall inseams for many body types.
• Style & Aesthetic: Effortless, timeless, and slightly bohemian. The style isn't high-fashion but rather focused on building a versatile, classic wardrobe.
• Sustainability: The company is increasing its use of eco-friendly and recycled materials in its denim production and is committed to fair labor practices.
• Return policy: Accepts returns of new, unworn merchandise within 30 days of purchase. A shipping label fee may apply for mailed returns.

Madewell excels at delivering dependable, stylish casualwear you can build a wardrobe around, making it a trusted choice for foundation pieces like jeans and classic tops.

Shop Madewell: https://www.madewell.com

Quince: The Affordable Luxury Essentials Brand

Quince is an online, direct-to-consumer brand on a mission to bring high-quality materials to consumers without the luxury markup. By cutting out middlemen, Quince offers products made from materials like Italian leather, silk, and Mongolian cashmere at prices that are often 50-70% lower than traditional retail. Its target customer values quality and transparency and seeks to build a minimalist, sophisticated capsule wardrobe on a budget.

• Product mix: Core essentials including cashmere sweaters, silk blouses, leather jackets, organic cotton T-shirts, and fine jewelry. The range also extends to bedding and home goods.
• Price point: Remarkably low for the materials used. A 100% Mongolian cashmere sweater is around $50-$100, a washable silk blouse around $50, and Italian leather bags under $150.
• Quality: The focus is on premium, luxury-grade materials. Customer reviews frequently praise the softness and durability of its cashmere and silk, comparing it favorably to brands that charge several times the price.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent and typically true to size. Product pages provide detailed fit notes and measurements, with many items available in an inclusive range from XS to XL.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist, modern, and sophisticated. The focus is on clean lines, neutral colors, and timeless designs rather than chasing fast-fashion trends.
• Sustainability: A core part of the brand. Quince is highly transparent about its factory partners, ethical production, and use of sustainable materials like organic linen and recycled fibers.
• Return policy: Offers a generous 365-day return window for most items, provided they are unworn and in original condition, making online purchases low-risk.

Quince delivers exceptional value by making luxury-grade fabrics accessible, perfect for anyone wanting to build a high-quality wardrobe without a high-end budget.

Shop Quince: https://www.quince.com

Madewell vs. Quince Comparison

Price Comparison

This is the most significant difference between the two brands. Madewell operates at a standard mid-range. A pair of their best-selling jeans will set you back about $130, and a simple sweater around $90. You're paying for brand trust, consistent quality, and their physical store footprint.

Quince makes its name on price. Operating directly online, they eliminate brand and retail markups. A comparable cashmere sweater costs just $50, and a washable silk skirt is about $60. For building a work wardrobe or securing investment-style pieces, Quince offers unbeatable value for the materials provided.

Winner: Quince, for its radical transparency and low prices on luxury materials.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize quality but focus on different areas. Madewell's strength is its denim. It's durable, comfortable, and well-constructed, designed to be a core part of your wardrobe for years. Their non-denim items are also well-made in standard fabrics like cotton and seasonal blends.

Quince's reputation is built on its materials. Offering Mongolian cashmere, Mulberry silk, and Italian leather at such a low price point is its core business. The construction is solid, and for anyone who prioritizes the feel and grade of the fabric above all else, Quince consistently impresses. If you want the softest cashmere or a truly luxurious silk feel, Quince delivers.

Winner: A tie. Choose Madewell for best-in-class everyday denim, choose Quince for top-tier fabrics like silk and cashmere at an entry-level price.

Style & Aesthetic

Madewell embodies a relaxed American classic style. It's timeless with touches of modern, bohemian flair - think perfect-fitting jeans paired with a laid-back button-down, a utility jacket, or a floral dress. Their pieces are designed to be styled together easily for a complete, approachable look.

Quince is defined by its minimalist, European-inspired aesthetic. The collection focuses on sleek, simple silhouettes in neutral, versatile colors. It's the ideal choice for creating a clean, sophisticated capsule wardrobe where every piece can be mixed and matched. Their styles are less about making a statement and more about refined elegance.

Winner: It depends on your personal style - Madewell for casual and classic, Quince for minimalist and sophisticated.

Shopping Experience

Madewell offers a traditional multichannel shopping experience. You can browse online or visit one of their nearly 150 physical stores to try on items, especially helpful for finding the perfect jean size. Their products are also carried at retailers like Nordstrom. They also host frequent sales and promotions.

Quince is an online-only, direct-to-consumer brand. This model is how they keep prices low. Their website is clean and transparent, providing detailed information about each factory and material origin. While you can't try anything on before buying, their exceptional 365-day return policy removes most of the risk from online shopping. They do not hold frequent sales, instead focusing on "everyday low prices."

Winner: Madewell, for those who value the option of in-store shopping and trying before buying.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your priorities, personal style, and what specific items you're looking to add to your closet.

Choose Madewell if:

• Your number one priority is finding the perfect-fitting, high-quality jeans.
• You value being able to try on clothes in a physical store before buying.
• Your style is classic, casual, and you like easygoing pieces with a touch of modern trend.
• You look for sales and enjoy the traditional retail experience of a well-known brand.

Choose Quince if:

• You want to invest in luxury materials like cashmere, silk, or leather at a fraction of the typical cost.
• Your personal style is minimalist, modern, and built around a core of neutral-colored essentials.
• You prioritize shopping with brands that offer price transparency and ethical sourcing.
• You are comfortable shopping exclusively online and appreciate an extremely generous return window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madewell or Quince cheaper?

Overall, Quince is significantly cheaper than Madewell, especially when comparing items made of similar premium materials. Quince's $100 leather bag or $50 cashmere sweater will be far less expensive than equivalent quality items at Madewell.

Which brand has better quality?

This depends entirely on the product. Madewell's quality is legendary when it comes to denim - it's built to last. For premium fabrics like 100% cashmere, silk, or organic linen, Quince offers superior material quality for the price.

What are Madewell and Quince best known for?

Madewell is best known for its extensive range of high-quality denim fits and casual, timeless wardrobe staples. Quince is known for making luxury-grade materials like Mongolian cashmere and Mulberry silk accessible and affordable through its direct-to-consumer model.

What is the style difference between Madewell and Quince?

Madewell has a casual-chic aesthetic rooted in American classics with some bohemian touches. Quince leans toward a minimalist, sophisticated style focused on clean lines and a neutral palette, perfect for building a capsule collection.

Which is more sustainable?

Both brands make sustainability a priority, but Quince has built its entire brand around ethical manufacturing, transparent sourcing, and sustainable materials. Madewell has made significant improvements in its denim production and material choices, but as a larger retailer, its model is less centralized around sustainability than Quince's.

Which has better sizing?

Both brands are generally considered true to size. Madewell is particularly praised for its inclusive and consistent denim sizing, including tall and petite options. Quince also provides excellent sizing consistency and detailed measurements for its minimalist essentials.

Do Madewell or Quince have sales?

Madewell regularly holds sales, seasonal promotions, and has a dedicated sales section on its website. Quince's business model is based on "everyday low prices" and avoiding traditional markups, so major sitewide sales are rare.

Where can I shop for these brands?

You can shop for Madewell on its website, at standalone Madewell stores, and at select department stores like Nordstrom. Quince is sold exclusively online through its website to maintain its low-price model.