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Our style & beauty team loves Quince, the direct-to-consumer brand that has gone viral for its a for its washable silk dresses and affordable cashmere. Over the years we've tested over 40 of Quince's clothing essentials, bags, and homewares, naming the brand a top pick in our guides to the best cashmere sweaters, best women's basics, and even the best linen sheets.
Our biggest complaint about the brand has always been its limited size offerings, with the majority of its clothing maxing out in an XL. So when we heard that Quince finally launched a plus-size collection, we were eager to try it out. The first collection features 21 styles, and we're hopeful they'll add more. I wear a size 3X or 24, and also enlisted the help of my coworker Jaclyn Turner, who shifts between 1X and 2X or 18. Below you'll find our thoughts on over a dozen plus-size styles from Quince.
Spoiler alert: We both loved all the styles we tried, with one big caveat. The brand charges more for plus sizes than it does for the same product in straight sizing. For example, you'll pay $10 more for Quince's cashmere crew neck sweater in a 1X than you will for the same product in an XL. We asked the company about it and you can read their explanation in the FAQ section below. There are also significantly fewer color options (take this sweater, available in 15 colors for straight sizes, but just three for plus sizes). While we're thrilled that the brand is expanding into plus sizes, we think Quince still has much more work to do in making the pricing and options more inclusive. For our favorite size-inclusive retailers, check out our guide to the best plus-size clothing.
Here's everything we tried from Quince's plus-size collection:
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Fisherman Sweater
This just might be my favorite piece of everything I tried on. On the model, this style looked boxy, but it's actually quite nicely fitted through the waist and hips. The arms have a little bit of extra length, lending a "boyfriend" look to the fit. The all-over ribbed detailing made me feel like I was just a pair of boat shoes and a Grosgrain belt away from fitting in with the early summer crowd on Nantucket. I'll be wearing this sweater heavily throughout the colder season. My only complaint is that I'd love to buy it in more colors, but right now only three colors are offered in plus size, compared to the 15 available in straight sizes. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Every sweater I've tried from Quince has been a hit, including this Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck. It's a straightforward wardrobe staple, but it fits great and has an excellent price. Right now the plus option only comes in six colors, while the straight-size version is available in 21, so I hope Quince considers expanding options soon. I'd especially like to see some brighter colors offered, instead of just neutrals and darks. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
This is one of the original items I purchased last holiday season from Quince. I was curious about the straight sizing versus the plus. I tried both the XL and the 1X, and while the XL fit, it was snug, the 1X fit in all the right spots, with extra fabric in the arms and chest. It's soft, well-made, and an absolute closet essential. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
This is another fave. It can be really hard to find a decent oversized fit when you're typically the largest size in the size range (as I am for Quince), so I'm really happy that this sweater has a loose, "boyfriend" style without being shapeless or overly baggy. It's super soft and very versatile — I can see myself wearing this buttoned-up on its own or open with a cute tank or crop top underneath. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
I think this cardigan was one of my favorites in the order. It's so soft and luxurious. At $150, it's definitely on Quince's pricier end, but I view this as an investment piece I'll be wearing for years to come. It's generously sized, with a bit of a boxy fit. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
I love a gorgeous slip dress, perfect for dressing up or down, depending on my mood. Make it washable, and I'm in love. This silk dress has a nice bias cut down the side seam with extra room in the hips, showing that it was designed with curvier bodies in mind. It hits right below the knee. Adjustable straps helped me position the dress comfortably across my chest. Being in between sizes, I preferred the slightly roomier fit of the 2X to the 1X. The 1X felt too tight and pulled in the back, while the 2X was a little large under the armpits but nothing too noticeable. I'm not wearing shapewear in either of the photos. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Quince 100% European Linen Pants and Top
Whether styled together or as separates, the 100% European Linen Short Sleeve Shirt and Pants (no longer available), will become a summer staple. I love the modern, cropped cut of the top, and it earns bonus points for not pulling at my chest. The flax linen fabric feels sturdy and breathable. It's not scratchy either. The pants were fine in a 1X, though I'd also be curious as to having a little extra room in the next size up. The pants have a boxy style, which is not something I typically gravitate toward, but the pull-on style is loose-fitting and comfortable. Also due to the nature of linen, I can definitely see these pants getting pretty wrinkled after extended sitting. Luckily, the dark navy color I chose should hide that. —Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Quince Tencel Rib Knit Maxi Dress
This piece was the one that was most outside of my comfort zone, so I was surprised that I ended up really liking this style. Silhouette-wise, it's a dead ringer for the viral Skims Long Slip Dress, but priced about $20 cheaper. It's super soft and stretchy, made from a mix of ribbed Tencel and Spandex, and it felt very breathable. This piece has great day-to-night potential — I could see wearing it out to a summer dinner on its own, but I really liked how it looked when paired with a blazer for work. I'm 5'11", and this dress hit me right around the ankles with shoes on. The adjustable straps help adjust the length a bit, but I'd say if you're shorter than 5'7", you may need to wear heels with this dress or consider getting it hemmed. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse
I'm forever on the hunt for a good button down and I wanted to love the Washable Stretch Silk Blouse. I typically size up in button-down blouses because I have a large chest. Sadly, the silk blouse in a 2X pulled at my chest and around my middle, making me feel a little too self-conscious. The ivory color was also quite sheer, and the slight stretch of the fabric only accentuated the parts that I didn't want to show off more. Ironically, the model in the product photo wears the bottom half of the shirt unbuttoned, as a foreshadowing of my experience, while another model wearing the blouse in wine appears to be swimming in it. If the shirt would fit me right, I think it looks very classy and sophisticated and a great workwear, or day-to-night piece; just the sizing is off, in my opinion. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Tee and Washable Silk Tank
These two pieces were my "skips" out of everything I tried. The Mongolian Cashmere Tee is supersoft and quite cute as a basic, but it's a bit sheer. I don't think I'd buy it in this color, but I'd certainly consider it in a gray or black (both of which Quince offers).
The Washable Silk Tank was fitted at the bust and hips, but loose through the waist, which I thought gave me a boxier shape. Looking at the straight-sized customer photos, this style seems to fit best on people who have small chests and slim hips. That said, I think this piece still has potential in my wardrobe as a layering staple and would be a great base under some suiting for work. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor
FAQs
Why does Quince charge more for plus sizes?
According to a company representative, "Given Quince's manufacturer-to-consumer business model, our margins are tighter than most traditional retailers. Quince's straight sizes are graded based on a size small and produced in the same production run, so the cost is averaged out across the entire size offering, including material and freight costs. Quince's new extended sizes are made with a separate fit block, form, and live model based on size 2X/18 to offer the best fit for the customer. Since Extended Sizes uses a separate fit and grade rule based on size 2X with a separate production run, the extended sizes are priced separately, which has resulted in a price difference."
However, most retailers, even small businesses, are able to offer plus sizes and straight sizes at the same cost to customers. We think that if Quince is truly committed to inclusivity, the brand should provide a consistent price for both plus and straight-size items.