Need to update your cashmere sweater rotation but not sure which brand to buy? I purchased several cashmere sweaters from Everlane and Quince for the whole family to see which brand stood up the best. After repeated wear and washing, here’s what I would buy again.
Why Compare Everlane and Quince Cashmere?
Know which cashmere sweater brand was actually worth it before buying.
Cashmere sweaters are a timeless classic, and a wardrobe staple for the cold season. But which one should you actually buy? Everlane and Quince both dominate “affordable luxury” with a similar aesthetic of essential silhouettes.
I was skeptical on Everlane’s “transparent” pricing value with higher price points, and on Quince’s quality for such low price points.
In this review, I’ll cover the things I wish I knew before buying after several days of real wear, price comparison vs. quality, washing, pilling and more. If you want to see the exact items I compared in this review, links are below.
Links to the items compared in this review:
Everlane Blue Crewneck, Everlane Herringbone, Quince Fisherman, Quince $50 Crewneck
Quick Brand Overview: Everlane vs Quince at a Glance
Both Quince and Everlane are known for minimalist aesthetics and fair pricing with a focus on key materials–especially cashmere.
Everlane
- Transparent factory pricing
- Minimalist aesthetic
- Emphasis on materials
- Ethical sourcing
- Well reviewed: Business Insider
Quince
- Direct-to-consumer pricing
- Minimal aesthetic
- Emphasis on materials
- Value based model
- Well reviewed: InStyle
Fabric & Feel: Which Cashmere Actually Feels Better?
I purposefully selected similar type knits to better compare the feel of cashmere from both brands. The cut, stitching and weight were nearly identical, but here is actually a notable difference. While both had an almost identical weave and lightweight feel…
Quince’s basic cashmere sweater was notably softer, with what appears to be slightly more loose fibers that give it a really plushy, cozy feather feel. (Olive, top)
Everlane’s basic cashmere sweater was slightly more structured, coarser fiber texture, that held it’s shape a bit more than the comparable Quince version. (Blue, bottom)
If softness is your top priority, this casual $50 cashmere Quince sweater is the one I tested. If you prefer a slightly more structured silhouette, this is Everlane’s version that looks a bit more elevated.
The heavier sweaters from each brand were more similar to each other in their buttery feel.
Both plush and thick, with Quince coming in more heavyweight than expected, and Everlane a bit more lightweight / open knit than expected based on the product photos. If you’re debating between the two, pick based on your desired color, silhouette and price point.
Fit, Sizing & Silhouette (The Make-or-Break Factor)
Want to know which brand looks more polished vs. effortless? While the basic cashmere knits were nearly identical, there are some brand tendencies to consider if you want to know if your cashmere will look good on your body and run true to size.
- Everlane fit: more structured, classic, slightly tailored
- Quince fit: more relaxed, casual, often oversized
Check out the brand’s sizing charts below to help you make your decision on what’s right for you:
Everlane size chart, Quince size chart
Pilling, Wear & Durability Over Time
So what’s the real value of Quince vs. Everlane cashmere sweaters?
While both brands boast affordable pricing, Quince is nearly half the price of Everlane. So which one holds its value over time if you consider cost-per-wear?
I’ve taken the brand’s advise and stuck to only washing when necessary, so I’ll update this section after a few more washes with further insight.
Based on the first wears, I’d predict Quince is more likely to pill first. The softer texture has the tendency to wear faster over time. After multiple wears and washes, Everlane is likely to loose a bit of the structure and soften up over time. Even so, I do not agree with some of the more extreme negative reviews & forums on Reddit+1 in regards to low quality materials from Quince. If you’re curious about how some of their other materials stand up, you can read my honest, unsponsored Quince review here.
If you want to build a rotation of cozy staples, Quince’s $50 cashmere sweater is about half the price of Everlane’s nearly identical cashmere sweater–that’s pretty tough to beat.
If you require a more formal fit for office wear or prefer that more elevated look, Everlane may be worth the price difference for the structure it provides.
If you’re considering a more premium knit like the fisherman crew from Quince or the herringbone knit from Everlane–They’re both beautiful quality, soft, plushy and currently standing their wear tests showing good potential for longevity and real value.
I’d recommend Everlane’s herringbone cashmere sweater if you’re looking for something light yet cozy investment piece to sink into year after year in the winter or cold summer nights.
Pick up one or two of Quince’s cashmere crewneck sweaters if you’re looking for a plush layering piece for this season that’s highly versatile in the cold weather seasons at a feel good price.
Care & Maintenance: Which Is Lower Effort?
I washed and dried a Quince cashmere sweater by accident last year. It shrinks! With cashmere, it’s best to always follow the manufacture’s suggestion and hand wash / air dry.
Having said that, I plan to gentle cycle machine wash all of my cashmere–and then air dry, because who has time to hand wash?
Cashmere doesn’t have to be high maintenance.
I’ve re-washed my first Quince cashmere sweater multiple times with minimal fuss (after the first shrinkage experience), and I imagine skipping the dryer would have prevented that issue.
For de-pilling, I have this fabric shaver that quickly removes pills in minutes and makes worn knits look like new again.
Color Selection & Style Versatility
Quince and Everlane are both highly versatile since both brands build around timeless classics.
Both brands offer seasonal colors, with Everlane skewing slightly more on trend with the season’s “it” pop colors, and Quince playing more safe with an evergreen palette.
Image credit: @everlane
Everlane cashmere styles well with a feminine, minimalist wardrobe with a color palette and silhouettes that have a subtle indie undertone.
Everlane pairs well with baggy denim, trousers, sweats, barrel jeans and flowing skirts or as a layer over summer wear.
Image Credit: @onequince
Quince has slightly more casual, traditional silhouettes that style well with a sophisticated, minimalist and classic wardrobe.
Quince pairs well with workwear trousers, satin skirts, linen pants, layered over collar shirts and other timeless classics. Pairing them with sweats will look super causal, since the knits themselves have less structure than Everlane.
If you want to wear your cashmere with athleisure and still look sophisticated, go with Everlane to offset casual pieces.
Shop Quince’s neutral classic cashmere here >
Shop Everlane’s luxe leisure cashmere here >
Price vs Value Breakdown: Is Quince Really “Too Good to Be True”?
Good news for the budget-conscious shopper, Quince is worth it! But don’t say no to Everlane just because Quince offers the best steal.
Is Everlane Better Quality than Quince?
Yes (sort of). Everlane’s comparable basic crewneck cashmere sweater looks more expensive, because it holds its shape and knit a bit more. But with the heavier fisherman or herringbone sweaters, the difference is more difficult to notice.
Who should by Quince vs. Everlane?
Choose Everlane if:
- You want structure, polish, longevity
- You prefer feminine silhouettes and in-season color trends
- You want to pair your cashmere with casual athleisure and still look sophisticated
If you’re looking for an investment piece, consider cost-per-wear and are looking for luxurious sweaters for layering with your feminine wardrobe staples, Everlane’s cashmere selection is worth. alook.
→ Shop Everlane’s cashmere here
Choose Quince if:
- You want softness + affordability
- You like traditional, casual classic styling
- You want multiple colors on a budget
If budget is your deciding factor, Quince’s cashmere is hard to beat. You can check their current offering starting at $50 for cashmere sweaters here.
Final Verdict: Which Cashmere Sweater Is Better for 2026?
Quince has some unbeatable pricing and good quality basics. Everlane has some beautiful feminine classics sure to stand the test of time. If you’ve never purchased cashmere before and budget is strong part of your consideration, start with Quince and make sure the upkeep is something you’re willing to follow through on.
If you’re a seasoned cashmere shopper, shop Everlane for your more sophisticated pieces, Quince’s selection of premier cashmere for capsule wardrobes, or opt for Quince basics if you’re looking for seasonal steals for everyday wear.
If I was repurchasing my cashmere today, these. are the exact sweaters I’d buy again:
→ Everlane Herringbone Cashmere Sweater
→ Quince Fisherman Crewneck Cashmere Sweater
→ Everlane Pop Color Basic Cashmere Sweater
FAQS
Looking for the snippets? Here’s your reference chart.
- Does Quince cashmere pill more than Everlane?: More than likely, yes
- Is Everlane cashmere worth the price?: If you consider your cost-per-wear, it can be.
- Which brand’s cashmere lasts longer?: Most likely, Everlane. But I’ll keep you posted.
- Is Quince cashmere ethical?: “We partner with factories who have a commitment to responsible production. This means paying workers fairly and doing their best to produce in a way that reduces damage to the environment.” – Quince
- How long should a good cashmere sweater last?: High quality cashmere can last up to 15 years or more (some of my mom’s cashmere has withstood the test of time). I’d expect Everlane and Quince to be in the 5-10 years range with proper care.
In accordance with the FTC regulations for Influencers, this post is unsponsored by Quince or Everlane, but may contain affiliate links. All thoughts, comments and musings are made of my own opinion and honest, personal experience with the products reviewed or mentioned. I hope you’ve found this post informational and inspiring!