Quince vs. Everlane: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Quince brings luxury-grade essentials like cashmere and silk to the market at radically low prices, while Everlane focuses on modern, minimalist basics backed by a deep commitment to "Radical Transparency" in its supply chain. Quince consistently undercuts Everlane on price for similar items, but Everlane provides unparalleled insight into its factories and ethical practices.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and values.
Quince: The Affordable Luxury Essentials Brand
Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand built on a simple promise: offering materials typically found in high-end luxury stores at highly accessible prices. By managing manufacturing directly and shipping from the factory, they eliminate the costs associated with middlemen. This allows them to sell items like Grade-A cashmere sweaters and mulberry silk blouses for a fraction of what traditional retailers charge. Their aesthetic is timeless and classic, appealing to shoppers looking to build a foundation of polished, high-quality pieces without a significant investment.
- Product mix: Wardrobe staples with a luxurious feel, including cashmere sweaters, trenches, silk blouses, Italian leather bags, and linen garments.
- Price point: Extremely competitive, with most items falling between $50 and $200. Their famous Grade-A cashmere sweaters start around $50, making them one of the best value propositions in fashion.
- Quality & Materials: The brand's main selling point is its use of premium materials like Mongolian cashmere, Italian leather, organic cotton, and washable mulberry silk.
- Fit & Sizing: Quince generally fits true to size, offering a consistent fit across its product line. Some customers report that certain outerwear styles can run slightly small, so consulting the detailed size chart for each item is recommended.
- Sustainability & Ethics: Focuses on sustainable materials, eco-friendly packaging, and responsible sourcing to create durable products designed to last.
Quince is the ideal choice for shoppers who prioritize material quality and price above all else, offering a direct path to a more luxurious wardrobe on a budget.
Shop Quince: quince.com
Everlane: The Radical Transparency Pioneer
Everlane established itself as a leader in direct-to-consumer fashion by building its entire brand around ethical production and "Radical Transparency." They openly share details about the factories they partner with and provide cost breakdowns for each product, showing customers exactly what they’re paying for. Their style is modern, minimalist, and versatile, centered on creating well-made daily essentials like perfect-fit jeans, organic cotton tees, and classic footwear. Everlane appeals to conscious consumers who want to know the story behind their clothes.
- Product mix: A wide range of men's and women's apparel, from denim and outerwear to elevated basics and classic leather accessories.
- Price point: Mid-range, with most products between $30 and $150. A comparable cashmere sweater, for example, typically retails for $100-$150, reflecting higher production and transparency costs compared to Quince.
- Quality & Materials: Emphasis on sustainable and durable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and responsibly sourced cashmere and leather.
- Fit & Sizing: Known for fitting true to size and offering more inclusive sizing options across many of their core product lines. Their comprehensive fit guides are very helpful for online shoppers.
- Sustainability & Ethics: A core pillar of the brand. Everlane leads with its open factory partnerships, commitment to fair labor conditions, and extensive use of recycled and sustainable materials.
Everlane serves the customer who values knowing where their clothing comes from and is willing to invest in ethically-made, versatile basics that form the backbone of a modern wardrobe.
Shop Everlane: everlane.com
Quince vs. Everlane Comparison
Price Comparison
Price is the most significant difference between the two brands. Across nearly every comparable category, from cashmere sweaters to silk shirts and leather goods, Quince is the more affordable option. Their factory-direct model allows them to offer luxury materials at prices that are often 50-60% lower than traditional retail.
The best example is cashmere. A classic crewneck cashmere sweater from Quince often sells for $50-$80. A similar sweater from Everlane will typically cost between $100 and $150. While both brands offer excellent value for the quality, Quince is the clear winner for shoppers focused strictly on budget.
Quality & Materials
Both brands prioritize high-quality construction, but they emphasize different aspects. Quince's value proposition is tied to sourcing premium and often luxury-grade materials like Mongolian cashmere, Italian leather, and high-momme silk. The focus is on giving the customer a product that feels exceptionally high-end for its price tag.
Everlane also uses excellent materials like organic cotton and responsibly sourced leather but places a stronger emphasis on sustainability and the ethical origins of those materials. The quality is excellent for long-lasting wear, but the primary story is about how and where the materials were sourced, rather than simply their luxurious feel.
Style & Aesthetic
While both brands embrace a minimalist aesthetic, their styles cater to slightly different tastes. Quince leans more toward a classic, timeless, and polished look. Think foundational pieces for a sophisticated wardrobe that can be worn for years without going out of style. The designs often feel inspired by luxury brands.
Everlane’s style is also minimalist but has a more modern, slightly casual feel. Their pieces are designed to be versatile and fit seamlessly into a contemporary, everyday wardrobe. The aesthetic is straightforward, clean, and functional, perfect for business casual or weekend wear.
Fit & Sizing
Both brands provide detailed online size charts and generally fit true to size. Everlane has earned a reputation for being more inclusive with its sizing, often offering a wider range of sizes in its core products like denim and tees. Quince's sizing is consistent, although some shoppers find their structured items like blazers or certain coats can run a bit snug and recommend sizing up for a more relaxed fit.
Sustainability & Ethics
This is where Everlane has historically set the industry standard. Their "Radical Transparency" platform is comprehensive, providing detailed information about their manufacturing partners and price breakdowns. For consumers who highly value fair labor and supply chain visibility, Everlane is one of the strongest choices on the market.
Quince practices sustainability by focusing on high-quality items designed for longevity, using eco-friendly packaging, and sourcing responsibly. However, it does not offer the same depth of public-facing information about its factories and supply chain as Everlane does.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice really depends on your primary shopping motivation. Both brands deliver great products, but they excel in different areas.
Choose Quince if:
- Your number one goal is getting the absolute best price for high-quality materials like cashmere, silk, or leather.
- You are building a wardrobe of timeless, classic, and polished essentials.
- You're on a firm budget but still want your clothing to feel luxurious.
- You want simple, elegant pieces for work or elevated casual wear.
Choose Everlane if:
- Ethical manufacturing and supply chain transparency are deciding factors for you.
- You prefer a modern, minimalist style that is versatile and suitable for everyday life.
- You want to support a brand with a long-standing commitment to fair labor practices.
- You need more inclusive or extended sizing options in items like denim and basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quince or Everlane cheaper?
Quince is significantly cheaper than Everlane on almost all comparable items. Their factory-direct model strips out intermediary costs, allowing them to sell luxury-grade products at prices that are often 50% lower than Everlane's.
Which has better quality, Quince or Everlane?
Both offer fantastic quality for their respective price points. It's a matter of preference: Quince focuses on delivering luxury-feel materials (like Grade-A cashmere) at a low price, while Everlane focuses on durable, ethically-sourced materials (like organic cotton and recycled fabrics) designed for long-term wear.
Which brand is more sustainable?
Both brands have strong sustainability initiatives, but Everlane is known as an industry pioneer for its "Radical Transparency." They provide in-depth information about their factories, material sourcing, and fair labor commitments. If transparency is your top priority, Everlane is an excellent option.
How does the sizing compare between Quince and Everlane?
Both brands generally fit true to size. Everlane is often praised for offering a more inclusive size range in its core products. Some shoppers find that Quince's outerwear and more structured pieces can run slightly small, making it a good idea to check product reviews and size charts.
What is the style difference between Quince and Everlane?
Quince's aesthetic is classic, timeless, and often has a more formal, polished feel. Everlane embodies a modern, minimalist style that is more focused on versatile, everyday basics suitable for a casual or business-casual wardrobe.
Does Everlane or Quince run sales?
Everlane has several sale events per year, while Quince's pricing is consistently low year-round as part of their business model. You're more likely to see a traditional percentage-off sale at Everlane, especially during seasonal transitions.
What are Quince and Everlane best known for?
Quince is famous for its shockingly affordable staples, especially the $50 cashmere sweater and washable silk blouses. Everlane is known for its perfect-fit jeans (like the Way-High Jean), high-quality cotton essentials, and transparent supply chain.
What are the return policies for Quince and Everlane?
Both brands offer customer-friendly return policies. Quince offers a generous 365-day return window for unworn items, while Everlane typically offers returns and exchanges within 30 days of shipment. Always check their websites for the most current policies.
