Quince vs. J. Crew Cashmere: Which brand should you buy?

Quince offers high-quality, minimalist cashmere at a significantly lower price point due to its direct-to-consumer model. Meanwhile, J. Crew provides a more traditional retail experience with preppy, fashion-forward cashmere that comes in a wider variety of colors and patterns at a higher price. Quince is focused on delivering a handful of affordable, timeless essentials, while J. Crew focuses on classic American style with seasonal updates.

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

Quince: The Affordable Luxury Essential

Quince is an online, direct-to-consumer brand built on selling high-quality essentials without the traditional retail markup. By cutting out middlemen, they deliver premium materials like Mongolian cashmere directly to shoppers at a fraction of the expected price. Their target customer is someone who researches quality and value, preferring timeless, minimalist pieces over trendy, seasonal items.

• Product mix: Quince's cashmere line consists of essential silhouettes like crewnecks, turtlenecks, and V-necks. They stick to a core collection of versatile basics that can be easily integrated into any wardrobe, alongside other luxury materials like silk shirts and linen pants.
• Price point: Most of their popular cashmere sweaters are priced around $100, which is extremely competitive. An Italian wool-cashmere blend coat might run up to $150, still offering exceptional value.
• Quality & Materials: The brand uses 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, known for its softness, warmth, and durability. The feel is lightweight yet cozy, and the construction holds up well to wear and gentle washing.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is clean, modern, and minimalist. They focus on solid, neutral colors like black, oatmeal, and navy, making their pieces incredibly easy to style for work or weekends.
• Sizing/Fit: Quince items generally run true to size with a relaxed, modern fit that isn't too baggy or too tight. It's designed for comfort and easy layering.
• Return policy: They offer a generous 365-day return policy for store credit, provided items are unworn and unwashed.

Quince is the go-to for shoppers who want the luxurious feel of high-quality cashmere without paying premium brand prices.

Shop Quince: quince.com

J. Crew: The Classic Preppy Staple

J. Crew is a long-standing American retailer that has defined classic, preppy style for decades. Their cashmere collection is a cornerstone of their brand identity, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary colors and designs. Shoppers turn to J. Crew for dependable, stylish pieces that feel both timeless and current, from workwear to casual weekend apparel.

• Product mix: J. Crew offers a much wider range of cashmere styles, including classic sweaters, cardigans, turtlenecks, dresses, and accessories like scarves and hats. Their collections feature a broad palette of colors, from versatile neutrals to bright, seasonal hues and patterns.
• Price point: J. Crew's cashmere sweaters typically retail between $150 and $250. However, the brand is known for frequent promotions and seasonal sales that can bring prices down significantly.
• Quality & Materials: J. Crew sources high-quality cashmere fibers to create durable, soft knits. Their sweaters often have a slightly thicker, more structured feel compared to Quince, giving them a polished appearance.
• Style & Aesthetic: This is where J. Crew shines. Their aesthetic is classic American preppy - polished, colorful, and timeless. You'll find everything from a simple black crewneck to a vibrant pink striped cardigan.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent and generally true to size, with a slightly more tailored, classic fit. J. Crew also offers an inclusive sizing range, including petite and tall options, which is a major advantage for many shoppers.
• Sales: J. Crew regularly holds sales events, offering 30-50% off select items, making their premium pieces more accessible.

J. Crew is designed for the shopper who loves classic style, a variety of color choices, and the reliability of a well-established brand.

Shop J. Crew: jcrew.com

Quince vs. J. Crew Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear price difference between the two brands. Quince's business model allows them to price their popular sweaters around $100 consistently. This direct-to-consumer approach eliminates retail overhead and traditional markups, passing savings to the customer.

J. Crew's cashmere starts at around $150 and can go up to $250 or more for standard sweaters. While their quality justifies a higher price point, the main factor is their position as a traditional retailer with physical stores and larger marketing budgets. Smart shoppers, however, can often find J. Crew cashmere on sale for closer to Quince's prices, but this requires timely shopping.

Quality & Materials

Both brands use high-quality cashmere, but the execution and feel are slightly different. Quince's cashmere is known for being exceptionally soft, fine, and lightweight, making it excellent for layering without adding bulk. It is sourced from Grade-A Mongolian fibers, which speaks to its premium quality at a low price.

J. Crew's cashmere tends to be a bit denser and more structured. While still very soft, this slightly heavier knit gives their sweaters a more substantial and polished appearance. Some may find this feels more durable and classic. Both are great options, but your preference may come down to whether you prefer a lighter, softer feel (Quince) or a thicker, more structured knit (J. Crew).

Style & Aesthetic

Quince doubles down on minimalism. Their collection is an edited assortment of timeless basics in primarily neutral colors. This is perfect for someone building a capsule wardrobe or who prefers understated elegance over trends. The designs are simple, modern, and built for versatility.

J. Crew offers significantly more variety. Their seasonal collections introduce new colors, stripes, patterns, and updated silhouettes. Their aesthetic is classic East Coast prep - think polished but comfortable. If you want a Kelly green cardigan, a striped turtleneck, or a bright red sweater, J. Crew is an excellent choice.

Fit & Sizing

Quince offers a straightforward sizing chart with a modern, relaxed fit. Their pieces generally run true to size and are designed to be comfortable and easy to wear. Their size range is typically XS to XL.

J. Crew has a distinct advantage with its inclusive sizing. They offer most key styles in petite, classic, and tall fits, with sizes ranging from XXS up to 3X. The fit is more tailored and classic compared to Quince's relaxed cut. This makes J. Crew a more reliable option for those who need specialty sizing.

Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability is a core pillar of Quince's brand identity. They are very transparent about their sourcing, using ethically raised materials and ensuring fair labor practices in their partner factories. They package products without unnecessary plastic and a focus on reducing their carbon footprint.

J. Crew has also made commitments to greater sustainability, including using recycled materials and responsibly sourced fibers. However, as a much larger, older corporation, their progress in this area is less central to their brand story compared to Quince, which was built with these principles from the ground up.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities in style, budget, and shopping preferences.

Choose Quince if:

• You're on a budget and want the best possible quality for around $100.
• Your personal style is minimalist, and you prefer versatile, neutral-colored basics.
• You prioritize brand transparency and ethical, sustainable manufacturing.
• You want a soft, lightweight cashmere sweater that's perfect for layering.

Choose J. Crew if:

• You love having a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from.
• Your style is more classic and preppy.
• You require special sizing like petite or tall.
• You enjoy the traditional retail experience and are a savvy sale shopper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quince or J. Crew cashmere cheaper?

Quince is significantly cheaper on a day-to-day basis, with most sweaters priced around $100. J. Crew sweaters start around $150 but can often be purchased for less during one of their frequent sales events.

Which cashmere is better quality?

Both offer excellent quality, but they are different. Quince cashmere is lighter and often feels softer, while J. Crew's is knit slightly thicker for a more structured and substantial feel. Neither is objectively "better" - it's a matter of personal preference.

Which brand has more color options?

J. Crew has a much larger selection of colors and patterns that change seasonally. Quince focuses on a core collection of neutral, timeless colors.

How does the sizing compare between Quince and J. Crew?

Both brands generally fit true to size. Quince offers a more modern, relaxed fit, whereas J. Crew provides a more classic, tailored fit. J. Crew also has a significant advantage with its petite and tall size offerings.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Quince has built its entire brand around sustainability and ethical transparency, making it a central part of their mission. While J. Crew has made sustainability pledges, it is a stronger focus for Quince.

Can I try on Quince cashmere in a store?

No, Quince operates exclusively online. You can order from them and return items that don't work out according to their return policy.

How often does J. Crew have sales on cashmere?

J. Crew has sales very frequently, especially around holidays and the change of seasons. It's often possible to find their cashmere for 30-50% off if you time your purchase correctly.

Is Quince legit?

Yes, Quince is a legitimate and highly-rated direct-to-consumer brand known for selling high-quality products at transparent, affordable prices.