Quince
Rated: Poor
Price: $
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Best for budget-conscious shoppers who want premium natural materials: Grade-A Mongolian cashmere at $50, mulberry silk under $70, Italian leather at ~$60 — at a fraction of traditional luxury prices. The factory-direct model genuinely cuts costs. However, sustainability advocates are deeply sceptical: the brand publishes no factory list, provides no evidence of living wages, and its sustainability claims significantly outpace its verified practices. Quince is better than fast fashion but falls well short of genuinely sustainable brands.
Key info
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Founded
- 2018
- Product categories
- Womenswear, Menswear, Basics
- Price range
- $
- Key certifications
- Select products carry GOTS, OEKO-TEX, WRAP, BSCI, OCS certifications. Not B Corp, Fair Trade, or 1% for the Planet
Quince sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses genuinely premium natural materials: Mongolian cashmere, mulberry silk, organic cotton, organic linen, recycled polyester. And some products carry GOTS/OEKO-TEX certifications. However, the proportion of certified materials across the full product line is unknown.
Claims to work with ethical factories, and some facilities hold WRAP/BSCI certifications. But Quince publishes no factory list, no supplier code of conduct, and no independent audit results. Ultra-low prices raise serious questions about labour costs.
Compostable poly bags and the factory-direct model reducing shipping legs are positives. But no greenhouse gas data, no water targets, no chemical management policy, no take-back program, no circularity strategy. Heavy reliance on virgin animal fibres raises environmental concerns.
Per-product price breakdowns are a genuine positive. But Eco-Stylist describes the "Our Factories" page as "borderline greenwashing": photos but no factory names, locations, or audit results. Eco-Stylist found "no supply chain information" disclosed. Score: 12/49.
Quince's undeniable strength. Reviewers consistently confirm materials punch above the price point. A $50 cashmere sweater rivalling $150+ alternatives is real value. 365-day return policy is extremely consumer-friendly. Some reviewers note thinner-than-expected fabrics.
What they do well
- Genuine premium materials at accessible prices: Grade-A Mongolian cashmere at $50, mulberry silk blouses under $70, Italian leather bags at ~$60 — consistently verified by reviewers as comparable to brands charging 2–3x more
- Factory-direct model reduces supply chain waste. Eliminates warehousing, wholesale, and retail overhead. Quince claims zero unsold inventory with near just-in-time production reducing overproduction versus traditional retail
- Product-level price transparency. Each item shows a cost breakdown comparing Quince's price to traditional retail—a rare and valuable practice
- 365-day return policy. With free US shipping and returns, reducing waste from unwanted purchases
- Eco-friendly packaging progress: 100% compostable poly bags and recycled plastic mailers; committed to eliminating virgin plastic from packaging
Room for improvement
- Transparency gap is the #1 concern. No published factory list, no supplier code of conduct, no independent labour audit results, no evidence of living wage verification. The Ecocult investigation called Quince's sustainability claims "more of an effective marketing gimmick than an authentic commitment."
- No measurable environmental targets. Zero data on greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, or hazardous chemical discharge. No climate commitments whatsoever. For a brand marketing itself as sustainable, this is a critical gap.
- Animal welfare blind spot. Uses wool, cashmere, silk, and leather with no published animal welfare policy and no third-party verification. Cashmere sourced from Inner Mongolia raises questions about traceability and land degradation.
About Quince
Quince was founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Sid Gupta (ex-Wall Street investment banker) and Zunu Mittal in San Francisco. Originally called "Last Brand," it rebranded to Quince in 2019 after raising $8.5M from Founders Fund, 8VC, and Basis Set Ventures. The company has since raised $456M total and achieved unicorn status in 2025, partnering with 50+ manufacturers globally.
Quince's core innovation is its manufacturer-to-consumer (MTC) model: factories produce items on a near just-in-time basis and ship directly to consumers, cutting out sourcing agents, warehouses, wholesalers, and retail stores. This is how the brand claims to deliver 50–80% savings versus comparable luxury products. Key materials include Mongolian cashmere (sourced from Inner Mongolia, China), mulberry silk, organic cotton, organic linen, European linen, Italian leather, and recycled polyester.
Select products carry GOTS, OEKO-TEX, OCS, WRAP, BSCI, and Higg FEM certifications. But these apply to only a fraction of the total line, and Quince doesn't disclose what percentage. Manufacturing occurs across China, India, Turkey, Italy, and other countries. Shipping is free within the US only (no international shipping); returns are free within 365 days. The brand does not operate physical stores.
Compared to Everlane ($–$$, more transparent), Jenni Kayne ($$$, higher luxury), or Naadam ($$ for cashmere), Quince undercuts nearly all on price while offering comparable. Though sometimes thinner. Materials.
Product highlights
Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere pullover, 16+ colours
~$50
The signature product. Comparable cashmere from luxury brands costs $150–$400. Thinner than traditional luxury cashmere but praised for softness.
Washable Silk Long Sleeve Blouse
100% mulberry silk, machine-washable, classic fit
~$60–70
Washable silk at this price is genuinely rare; popular workwear staple
Organic Cotton Fisherman Sweater
100% organic cotton, chunky cable-knit
~$50
Breathable knit at exceptional price for certified organic cotton; reviewers rate 4.8/5
Italian Leather Tote Bag
Premium Italian Nappa leather, minimalist design
~$60–80
Italian leather at this price point is virtually unheard of; among the brand's most viral products
