Quince is a brand I continue to get lots of questions on, and it seems every time I pop back onto their site they’ve added a new product category (socks…rugs…cookware!). I have yet to try many of those, but I’ve been a repeat customer of their sweaters for 2-3 years now and feel that I have a pretty good grasp of the options and which styles I’d recommend the most. If videos are helpful, you can find my Quince try on videos here!
1. Shrunken Cashmere Sweatshirt
Fit: more petite-friendly
Their popular $50 crewneck cashmere is an amazing value for 100% cashmere, but for a more petite-friendly fit, I’d recommend spending a little more on the “shrunken cashmere sweatshirt.” This is probably one of my most-worn everyday layering staples over the past few years!
The downside is, this one sells out quickly and there’s less colors to choose from than their $50 crewneck. As the style name suggests, the “shrunken sweatshirt” is a little smaller in fit overall and slightly shorter in length. It also has a banded bottom hem that’s easy to adjust and hike up a bit to wear shorter without having to tuck in (see what I mean in this try on video). The crewneck collar is a little wider as well for aesthetics. The only reason I occasionally still buy the $50 cashmere over the shrunken fit style is for a particular color.
I’ve also tried on their kids cashmere crewneck, but it was noticeably wider cut in the torso & sleeves.
Once the $50 cashmere sweater is tucked in with the sleeve pushed up a bit, as seen below, the two sweater styles look almost the same. But when untucked, you can definitely feel the fit difference more.
{box]$50 cashmere sweater xs, Silk slip skirt xs, old Steve Madden boots (similar), Quince crossbody clutch [/box}
2. Alpaca Wool Cropped Cardigan
Fit: more petite-friendly.
Their most petite-friendly cut cardigan IMO. This has a light-medium weight fluffy texture, gentle balloon sleeves (nothing too dramatic), and is shorter in length than all their other cardigans. I’ve owned my grey one for several years now!
Brown has been the color of the season so I wanted to try on this new color option as well, and show how long it is when un-tucked:
3. Cashmere Fisherman Cropped Cardigan Sweater
Fit: oversized
For those of you who like oversized pieces and a wider, swingy fit. This is the Quince cardigan I’ve been reaching for the most this Fall / Winter for everyday life! They call it cropped, but it hits hip length for me.
The 100% cashmere is a thicker weight with ribbed texture that feels so cozy and luxe. I’m always cold so this has been perfect for WFH or lounging, paired simply with black leggings and a turtleneck. If I need to run out I just throw on either a black chelsea boot, flat or loafer as shown below. This was also my top pick for gifting whether its for mom, sister, friend who is having a baby – the roomier, wider cut is just really easy to throw on.
I often get questions on if my Quince cashmere pills – I’ve seen light pilling on my older ones at the elbows and arms areas from friction. It doesn’t bother me and if I have time, I’ll gently comb the area using a sweater comb. Interestingly, I ran into a friend who was twinning with me in the Jenni Kayne version of this cardigan (4x the price) and it had significant pilling all over, so I feel pilling is a normal part of owning cashmere!
A quick note on these “Ultra Stretch Ponte Ankle Pants” – some of you may remember the Ann Taylor Audrey pants I loved in the cropped length, but were sadly discontinued! These Quince ponte pants are very similar and come in either a 25″ or 27″ inseam option. I’ve been reaching for them as a leggings alternative, when I want something close fitting with stretch but slightly less casual. Similar to the Ann Taylor version, I find these to run a little small – XS is a snug fit on me throughout.
I love these old Caslon chelsea boots so much, I also got the “Miah” block heeled version at Nordstrom (they renamed Caslon to just Nordstrom brand) which are water resistant as well. If in between half sizes, I’d size down on the Miah. I can fit the size 5 with thicker socks.
Here’s the same cardigan in the oatmeal cardigan, with the coordinating little cashmere tanks!
4. Organic Cotton Striped Crew Sweater
Fit: regular
If you prefer cotton to wool or cashmere, this 100% cotton stripe sweater is a relaxed piece I enjoy reaching for. Size xs is fairly petite friendly on me – not too long with a casual fit. Several color combos available, and there’s also a “mom and me” matching kids one in ivory stripe!
5. Fisherman crewneck sweater
Fit: regular
I have this same sweater in the 100% cotton version as well as the 100% cashmere version. A year or two ago I found the cotton to be my favorite and low maintenance, but since then, I’ve completely flipped that preference and wear my cashmere versions of this sweater far more now! I usually wear a thin tee or Uniqlo heattech under my cashmere sweaters and rarely need to wash them (per cashmere care guidelines), so sweater care has still been easy!
This sweater is the same ribbed texture and whicker weight as the boyfriend cardigan mentioned above, notably thicker than the $50 cashmere crewneck or shrunken cashmere sweatshirt. XS is a roomy, casual fit on me (not quite oversized) which I usually wear half tucked with the sleeves folded up. My one complaint is I’d like the crewneck neckline to have a little more stretch. When I pull it over my head it feels a little snug and not super elastic, but once it’s on there’s plenty of room.
Honorable mention: Merino Wool Duster
Fit: oversized
This $89 cardigan made it to my Fall capsule wardrobe to serve the purpose of both a sweater and a light jacket. It’s a cozy and substantial weight 100% merino wool with generous pockets. Their merino wool items are one of the more smooth and comfortable knits I’ve tried with no itchiness for me. Fit on this is oversized so I have the sleeves cuffed up.
Let me know if you own and agree with any of these top 5 picks, or if you have another style you love and would recommend!