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

Quince offers luxury-quality, sustainably sourced cashmere with a direct-to-consumer model that keeps prices low, while Uniqlo provides reliable, everyday cashmere at a slightly lower price point through its massive global retail network. Quince focuses on a more premium feel and transparent ethics, whereas Uniqlo champions accessibility, consistent quality, and frequent sales.

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

Quince: The DTC Luxury Essential

Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that has quickly gained a reputation for offering high-quality essentials, like Mongolian cashmere, without the traditional retail markup. By cutting out the middleman, they deliver luxury-grade products at very accessible prices. Their brand ethos is built on sustainability, transparent manufacturing, and creating timeless, minimalist pieces that are designed to last.

• Product mix: Focus on timeless wardrobe staples with clean lines and neutral tones. Their cashmere collection includes classic sweaters, cardigans, and accessories designed for versatility.
• Price point: Cashmere sweaters are typically priced between $100 and $150, offering remarkable value for the quality.
• Quality: Uses 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, known for its extra-fine, long fibers that result in a softer, more durable, and less pilling fabric. The quality is often compared to sweaters from brands that charge two to three times as much.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally fits true to size with a focus on relaxed, comfortable silhouettes. Customer reviews often praise the consistent and accurate sizing.
• Return policy: Offers straightforward returns, making it easy to shop online with confidence.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of their identity. Quince is very transparent about its supply chain, uses ethically sourced materials, and ships in eco-friendly, recycled packaging.

Quince delivers a luxury feel and a strong commitment to ethical production at a price point that challenges traditional retail.

Shop Quince: quince.com

Uniqlo: The Everyday Wardrobe Staple

Uniqlo is a global apparel giant from Japan, famous for its "LifeWear" philosophy - clothing designed to be simple, high-quality, and functional for everyone's daily life. Their cashmere is a cornerstone of their winter collections, providing warmth, softness, and style at an extremely competitive price. Uniqlo’s massive scale allows them to produce consistent, affordable essentials that appeal to a broad global audience.

• Product mix: Offers a wide array of styles, from classic crewnecks and turtlenecks to more contemporary silhouettes in a vast range of colors. Their designs are fundamentally simple and versatile.
• Price point: Cashmere sweaters usually fall between $70 and $130, with frequent sales events that can bring prices even lower, especially near the end of the season.
• Quality: Uses 100% cashmere that is soft and warm, providing excellent value for the price. While durable for everyday wear, some users report it may pill more quickly than premium alternatives if not cared for properly.
• Sizing/Fit: Runs true to size with an extensive size range that accommodates a wide variety of body types. Their website includes detailed garment measurements for a precise fit.
• Return policy: Flexible return policy for both online and in-store purchases, adding a layer of convenience.
• Sales: Known for frequent promotions and seasonal sales, making their already affordable cashmere an even better bargain.

Uniqlo is the go-to for dependable, budget-friendly cashmere that integrates seamlessly into any wardrobe.

Shop Uniqlo: uniqlo.com

Quince vs. Uniqlo Comparison

Price Comparison

On the surface, both brands offer affordable cashmere. Uniqlo often has the lower entry price, with sweaters starting around $70-$90 and frequently going on sale. They are a great choice if your primary goal is finding the lowest possible price for 100% cashmere.

Quince typically prices its sweaters from $100 to $150. While slightly more expensive, the value conversation shifts when you consider the quality. Quince's Grade-A Mongolian cashmere feels softer and more substantial, directly competing with sweaters from luxury brands that cost over $250. For a small price difference, Quince delivers a noticeably more premium experience.

Quality & Materials

This is where the distinction becomes clearest. Quince’s entire brand is built on providing luxury-grade materials. They use Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, which has longer and finer fibers. This results in a garment that is exceptionally soft, lightweight, and less prone to pilling over time. With proper care, a Quince sweater is designed to be a long-term investment piece.

Uniqlo also uses Mongolian cashmere and delivers a product that is soft, warm, and well-made for its price tag. However, due to its mass-production model, the fibers are not always as fine or long as those used by Quince. It is a solid choice for everyday wear, but it may show signs of wear, like pilling, more quickly than its Quince counterpart.

Style & Aesthetic

Quince leans into a minimalist and timeless aesthetic. Their designs feature clean lines, classic silhouettes like crewnecks and v-necks, and a curated color palette of mostly neutrals. These are foundational wardrobe pieces intended to be worn for years without going out of style.

Uniqlo offers a broader range of styles and colors. Alongside classic fits, you'll find more variety in cuts and an extensive, often vibrant, color selection that changes seasonally. Uniqlo perfectly balances timeless basics with just enough variety to feel current, making it easy to find a sweater for any outfit or preference.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands are fairly reliable in their sizing and generally fit true to size. Quince offers a more relaxed, "effortless" fit that is comfortable without being baggy. Their product pages provide helpful sizing information and model specs to guide your choice.

Uniqlo is known for its inclusive sizing, offering a wider range from XXS to XXL. Their online store provides extremely detailed measurements for each item (shoulder width, body length, etc.), allowing you to compare against your own clothes for a perfect fit, which is especially helpful when shopping online.

Shopping Experience

Your preference here will depend on whether you like shopping online or in-store. Quince is an online-only, direct-to-consumer brand. Their website is clean, easy to navigate, and highlights product details and manufacturing transparency. The experience is centered on convenience and a direct brand connection.

Uniqlo offers both a robust online store and a massive global network of physical retail locations. The ability to go into a store to feel the product, try on different sizes, and make an instant purchase is a significant advantage for many shoppers.

Sustainability & Ethics

Quince makes sustainability and transparency a central pillar of its brand. They are highly transparent about their factories, sourcing, and pricing model. They use ethically sourced Grade-A Mongolian cashmere and ship products in compostable, plastic-free packaging, appealing to the conscious consumer.

Uniqlo has its own sustainability initiatives, including material recycling programs and commitments to reduce its environmental impact. As a global fast-fashion retailer, however, its scale makes achieving the same level of granular transparency as a smaller DTC brand like Quince more challenging. For shoppers who prioritize deeply vetted ethical practices, Quince has the clear edge.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent cashmere at hard-to-beat prices, but they are built for different sets of priorities.

Choose Quince if:

• You're looking for a luxury feel and superior softness without the traditional designer price tag.
• Long-term durability and resistance to pilling are your main concerns.
• You value brand transparency, ethical sourcing, and sustainable practices.
• Your personal style leans towards timeless, minimalist, and high-quality basics.

Choose Uniqlo if:

• Your primary consideration is budget, and you're looking for the best price for 100% cashmere.
• You want a wide selection of colors and the ability to find more trend-aware options.
• The convenience of shopping in a physical store to see and try on items is important to you.
• You need a dependable, workhorse sweater for everyday wear and value function and accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quince or Uniqlo cashmere cheaper?

Uniqlo is generally cheaper, with sweaters often starting around $70 and dropping lower during sales. Quince is slightly more expensive, typically starting at $100, but many argue it offers better value due to its superior quality and durability.

Which brand has better quality cashmere?

Quince is widely considered to have higher-quality cashmere. They use Grade-A Mongolian cashmere with longer, finer fibers, which results in a softer garment that is less likely to pill over time.

Does Quince or Uniqlo have a more classic style?

While both offer classic styles, Quince's aesthetic is more focused on timeless, minimalist designs with neutral color palettes. Uniqlo also provides classic silhouettes but offers them in a much wider and more vibrant range of seasonal colors.

How do Quince sweaters fit?

Quince sweaters generally fit true to size. They tend to have a slightly relaxed, comfortable fit that isn't oversized or boxy. Check the size chart on each product page for specific measurements.

Where is Quince cashmere sourced from?

Quince sources its high-quality cashmere from Inner Mongolia, a region renowned for producing some of the world's finest and softest cashmere fibers.

Is Uniqlo a sustainable brand?

Uniqlo engages in various sustainability initiatives, including responsible sourcing and recycling programs. However, as a large-scale fast-fashion retailer, it doesn't offer the same level of transparency and focused eco-conscious practices as a dedicated sustainable brand like Quince.

Where can I buy Quince clothes?

Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand, so its products are only sold through its official website, quince.com. You will not find their products in traditional department stores.

Which cashmere is less likely to pill?

Quince cashmere is less likely to pill due to its use of longer Grade-A fibers. Pilling occurs when short fibers rub together and tangle. The longer fibers used by Quince make the yarn stronger and more resistant to this process.