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

Quince offers a wide range of affordable luxury essentials, like cashmere and silk, focusing on timeless styles and direct-to-consumer value. In contrast, Unbound Merino exclusively produces high-performance merino wool apparel designed for travel and minimalist living, prioritizing durability and function at a premium price.

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

Quince: The Affordable Luxury Essential

Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that makes high-quality materials accessible to everyone. By cutting out supply chain intermediaries, they deliver luxury pieces like Mongolian cashmere, Italian leather, and washable silk at a fraction of the traditional retail cost. Their target customer is someone who appreciates timeless design and wants to build a long-lasting wardrobe without overpaying for brand names.

• Product mix: Timeless apparel for women and men, including cashmere sweaters, silk blouses, linen pants, and leather jackets. They also offer a growing collection of fine jewelry and home goods like bedding and decor.
• Price point: Extremely competitive pricing. Expect to find 100% Grade-A cashmere sweaters for around $100-$150 and washable silk blouses for $50-$80.
• Quality: Materials are the main focus, with an emphasis on high-grade natural fibers sourced from reputable suppliers. Construction is solid, with a clean finish designed for everyday wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments generally run true to size, with standard sizing from XS to XXL.
• Sales: Prices are already low, but Quince does offer occasional promotions and bundles to increase value.
• Return policy: Free shipping and a generous free return policy make trying new items completely risk-free.
• Sustainability: The brand prioritizes responsibly sourced materials and partners with factories that meet high ethical and environmental standards.

Quince is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add high-quality, minimalistic basics to their wardrobe without the luxury markup.

Shop Quince: quince.com

Unbound Merino: The Ultimate Performance Travel Wear

Unbound Merino creates high-performance apparel with a single core material: premium Australian merino wool. Their entire collection is designed for the modern traveler who wants to pack less and experience more. The brand's philosophy emphasizes wrinkle-resistant, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating clothing that looks good in any environment, from a hiking trail to a city restaurant.

• Product mix: A focused collection of essentials for men and women, including t-shirts, base layers, underwear, socks, button-downs, and loungewear all made from merino wool.
• Price point: Premium pricing reflects the high cost of quality merino wool. Women’s t-shirts are priced around $80-$120, hoodies range up to $195, and socks start around $20.
• Quality: The use of 100% pure, sustainably sourced merino wool ensures incredible durability, softness, and performance. The garments are designed to last for years and withstand the rigors of frequent travel.
• Sizing/Fit: T-shirts and base layers often have a sleek, slightly fitted silhouette meant for layering, but generally fit true to size from XS to XL. The natural stretch of wool provides a comfortable fit.
• Return policy: Unbound Merino offers straightforward returns and exchanges to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of the brand's identity. They use ethically sourced, mulesing-free wool from Australian farms that prioritize animal welfare and environmentally responsible practices.

Unbound Merino is ideal for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and minimalists who demand durable, low-maintenance clothing with top-tier performance.

Shop Unbound Merino: unboundmerino.com

Quince vs. Unbound Merino Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Quince positions itself as an affordable luxury alternative, with most core apparel items falling between $50 and $150. You can easily build a versatile wardrobe of cashmere, silk, and linen for a few hundred dollars.

Unbound Merino operates in the premium performance space. A single t-shirt is often more expensive than a silk blouse from Quince, with prices reflecting the high cost of ethically sourced merino wool. Unbound Merino provides long-term value through durability and versatility, as one t-shirt can replace several cotton ones for travel, but the upfront investment is much higher.

Quality & Materials

Both brands prioritize high-quality materials, but for very different purposes. Quince's strength lies in its diverse range of luxury materials like cashmere and silk, which offer a high-end look and feel for everyday situations. While durable, these materials often require more delicate care.

Unbound Merino focuses exclusively on merino wool, a fiber known for its technical benefits. It's soft, naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and incredibly durable. This makes their clothing low-maintenance and ideal for multi-day wear without washing, a key benefit for travelers. Unbound Merino's quality is centered on robust construction and yarn integrity that stands up to constant use.

Style & Aesthetic

Quince offers a classic, minimalist aesthetic that works well in both professional and casual environments. Their timeless pieces - like a simple crew neck sweater or a silk camisole - can be foundational elements of almost any wardrobe. The designs are understated and elegant, focusing on clean lines and neutral colors.

Unbound Merino has a sleek, functional, and modern look. Their aesthetic is also minimalist, but it is driven by performance rather than classic fashion trends. The color palette is typically limited to versatile neutrals that are easy to mix and match while traveling. The style is athletic and practical, but refined enough to wear in a variety of settings.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer sizing that customers generally find true to size. Quince carries a broader range, typically from XS to XXL, with a fit that is standard for classic wardrobe basics. Their detailed product pages often include key measurements to help shoppers choose the right size.

Unbound Merino offers sizes from XS to XL. Their garments, particularly tees and base layers, are often designed with a slightly more athletic, body-skimming fit suitable for layering. However, the natural stretch of merino wool provides plenty of comfort and movement for various body types.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands build their identity around ethical and sustainable practices. Quince is committed to supply chain transparency, working with factories that meet ethical standards, and using an increasing number of eco-friendly materials. They make sustainable luxury accessible.

Unbound Merino’s commitment is deeply integrated into its core product. The entire brand is built around merino wool, a renewable and biodegradable fiber. They are vocal about their use of ethically sourced, mulesing-free wool, which protects animal welfare and supports environmentally conscious farming. For shoppers focused on animal product sourcing, Unbound Merino's focused commitment is a key differentiator.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your priorities, budget, and lifestyle.

Choose Quince if:

• You are looking for affordable, high-quality basics to build your everyday wardrobe.
• You love the feel of luxury materials like cashmere and silk but not the high prices.
• You need versatile, classic pieces suitable for the office, weekends, and date nights.
• Your budget is a primary concern, and you appreciate great value.

Choose Unbound Merino if:

• You are a frequent traveler who wants to pack light and minimize laundry.
• You need performance clothing that is odor-resistant, temperature-regulating, and durable.
• Your style is functional and minimalist, and you prioritize quality over quantity.
• You are willing to invest more in sustainable, ethically made garments that will last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quince or Unbound Merino cheaper?

Quince is significantly cheaper than Unbound Merino. Quince built its entire business model around offering luxury-grade materials at direct-to-consumer prices, making it a very budget-friendly option. Unbound Merino is a premium brand, and its prices reflect the high cost of sourcing high-quality, ethical Australian merino wool.

Which brand has better quality?

This depends on how you define "quality." Quince offers excellent quality for the price, focusing on the luxurious feel of traditional materials like silk and cashmere. Unbound Merino's quality is rooted in performance and durability, their garments are built to withstand constant wear, resist odors, and last for years, making them a better long-term technical investment.

Is Unbound Merino's wool itchy?

No. Unbound Merino uses very fine, premium merino wool fibers, which are much softer and more flexible than traditional wool. It is not scratchy and is comfortable enough to be used for underwear and base layers worn directly against the skin.

Which brand is better for travel?

Unbound Merino is purpose-built for travel. Its key features - odor resistance, wrinkle resistance, versatility, and climate control - mean you can pack fewer items and wear each one multiple times without washing. While some Quince items are travel-friendly, they don't offer the same technical performance.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Both brands have strong sustainability commitments. Unbound Merino has a very focused and transparent message about its ethically sourced, mulesing-free merino wool, a renewable and biodegradable fiber. Quince has a broader mission, working with eco-friendly materials and ethical factories across its entire product range. The "better" choice depends on which sustainability value is more important to you.

Do Quince clothes run true to size?

Yes, customers widely report that Quince clothing fits true to size, making online ordering straightforward. Their blouses, sweaters, and pants follow standard sizing conventions.

Does Unbound Merino have sales?

Sales are very infrequent at Unbound Merino. They occasionally offer promotions or bundles, but the brand’s pricing remains relatively consistent due to the high costs of their raw materials. Quince is more likely to run sitewide promotions or offer discounts.

Which brand is better for office or professional wear?

Quince is the clear winner for office wear. Their collection of silk blouses, tailored pants, cashmere cardigans, and blazers are perfect for creating polished, professional outfits. Unbound Merino can work in a very casual office, but its aesthetic is more geared towards travel and leisure.