When I moved to the California desert, I had to learn to embrace a material I once steered clear of: linen. I wrongly believed I'd only look wrinkled and disheveled.
And while linen does crease easily, its natural flax fibers work better in heat than synthetics. In search of a more affordable way to pad out my closet in linen, I turned to Quince, my preferred brand for affordable basics.
Over the past few years, I've collected a Quince linen dress, jumpsuit, pants, tops, and shorts. I wear them year-round and find them to be of good quality and construction considering their price.
To put it in perspective, the seven pieces I own total $362. From other retailers like Reformation, Madewell, or Everlane, that same sum would have only yielded me two, maybe three pieces total.
Not everything has been the biggest hit (the shorts… fell short), but the gingham Midi Dress and breezy Button Down have served me well for over a year.
Below are reviews of Quince linen clothing. We tested Quince linen bedding in our guide to the best linen sheets and our Quince home review.
How Quince linen compares
According to the brand, Quince linen clothing weighs 160 GSM (grams per square meter). This is a lighter weight linen that's substantial yet airy, and ideal for summer clothing like sundresses and blouses.
I had no sheer slip-ups with Quince linen — the fabric is tightly woven and smooth. That said, I recommend buying Quince linen in gingham or striped colorways if you're concerned about wrinkling or opacity.
Most pieces run for $40 to $50 each. Some are called "Premium Flax Linen," and others "European Linen," but there's no difference in quality between the two. If you want linen pants with more structure, expect to spend more: Opt for a medium-weight like Eileen Fisher's Organic Linen Wide-Leg Pant ($178), or a linen-viscose blend like the Babaton PowerLinen Pant ($148).
I wear a medium and found some variability in Quince's sizing. It offers plus-size linen clothing up to a size 3X, but they come in fewer colorways and cost more than their straight-size counterparts.
The Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit
I love a jumpsuit, as it's a one-and-done outfit. In our Quince clothing review we liked their modal ones, so trying their linen one felt like a natural choice. It's not as soft as other linen I've tried, but it still felt lightweight and breathable.
I've worn this Quince Linen Jumpsuit for about two years now. It's held up well without visible signs of wear and tear. I've put it through the washer, and never had an issue with odd creasing or shrinkage. Quince says it can go in the dryer, but I air dry mine for the best results.
The straps are wide enough that they'll conceal most standard bra straps. This one has a flattering square neckline with adjustable shoulder straps, front and back pockets, and a waist tie belt.
It runs a tad large in the bodice. I'm a pretty true-to-size medium. I do find that the back, which has an elastic panel for comfort and stretch, does gape and expose the backside of my bra. I usually try to adjust how the jumpsuit sits to avoid this, and it doesn't keep me from wearing it, but if I were to purchase it in another color, I'd size down to a small.
Would I buy this again? Yes, but I'll play with sizing next time, as it runs a little large.
The Linen Shorts
No one is perfect, right? And out of the seven Quince linen pieces I own, inevitably one had to flop. For me, it’s these Quince Linen Shorts — purely for how instantly and visibly they wrinkle (even for linen).
I tried the "Light Driftwood"color, and the wrinkles are glaringly obvious. If you want to try this style, I’d recommend a darker color, which might make some of those marks less visible. And it could be worth a shot, since they are soft, comfortable, and come with multiple pockets.
Their creases fold and bunch up, which makes these shorts feel even shorter. For me personally, when it comes to linen bottoms, I just prefer something longer like pants so the wrinkles aren’t so all consuming.
Would I buy this again? No. They wrinkle too easily, and there are more comfortable lounge shorts out there.
The Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress
I've worn this Quince Linen Midi Dress for a little over a year, and it's become one of my favorites. The combination of the scoop neck, fitted bust, and midi length makes it sleek and sophisticated, but not so dressy that I can't wear it casually. Plus, it has pockets.
I really adore this dress because it's lined with 100% cotton, which acts as a barrier to prevent wrinkling. I've noticed fewer markings as a result, and it's still lightweight without added bulk. The gingham print I chose means wrinkles are mostly camouflaged.
Style editor Samantha Crozier tried the white version and found issues with the length of the liner. "Instead of a full-length lining, it stops right at the knees. You can't see this unless you're directly in the sun, but that's exactly what this dress was made for," says Samantha. "It cuts you off in an awkward way and is another example of how Quince gets it almost right, but how cost-saving measures get in the way of producing a truly great piece."
It runs large in the waist, but the fit details make it comfortable for all-day wear. The adjustable straps ensure I'm never tugging or pulling, and a hidden smocked back panel keeps this feeling comfy and light, even while wearing linen — which isn't exactly known for allowing much give on its own. My only drawback? I have to wear a strapless bra with this one, though that's really a "me" problem.
Would I buy this again? Yes. It's really comfortable, and the cotton lining helps give it structure. However, I know not to try the white version.
The Linen Long Sleeve Shirt
I feel effortlessly chic in this Quince Linen Long Sleeve. It looks fantastic paired with white shorts or pants in summer, or thrown over black leggings while I'm running errands around town. You could even wear it as a beach cover up. My favorite way to style it is to roll up the sleeves and button just two in the middle for a relaxed, yet pulled-together approach.
It runs a bit large. A medium fits just fine, but is still just subtly loose. I really appreciate the longer length that extends past my hips.
It gets softer the more you wash it. I have it in a light blue pinstripe color, which obscures most wrinkling. In total, it's available in 14 colors ranging from light neutrals to dark shades and stripes.
As with most Quince linen, it feels light and breathable. Even on scorching hot days, I feel regulated wearing it (though I tend to reach for the short-sleeve version when temps go above 90°, which is a regular occurrence as a desert dweller).
Would I buy this again? Absolutely. It looks great with everything, washes well, and the striped version doesn't show wrinkles easily.
The Linen Camp Shirt
Since the 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Shirt is my runaway Quince linen favorite, it felt like a no-brainer to try short-sleeve version.
This Quince Linen Camp Shirt has a front placket with buttons, a chest pocket, and oversized dolman sleeves that help make it feel airy and light. I wear a size medium, and find the cut to be relaxed and just a little loose. So if you like an oversized look, definitely size up. And likewise, for a more tailored, body-skimming fit, go down a size.
My only one admitted gripe is that even though it has a curved hemline like the long sleeve version, it seemingly doesn't extend as far. I wish the length was a touch longer, like the long sleeve linen shirt, though that's really the only downside I can find, and the difference is pretty minor.
Regardless, I still like that it comes in a nice range of neutral colors, and it's easy to style.
Would I buy this again? Yes, it's lightweight and easy to wear.
The Linen Patch Pocket Wide Leg Pants
I'm quite the fan of Quince clothing outside of linen — namely their jeans, which I find to be soft, super stretchy, and reliably true to size. The Bella Stretch Patch Pocket Wide Leg Jeans are my current favorite, so I was ecstatic to discover Quince has a linen version, too.
They fit high on the waist with a wide leg shape. Their front patch pockets make a nice statement. The linen is soft and light, and there's a pretty shell button atop the zip closure. The back pockets are a nice touch, too.
Like most linen pants, they crease easily around the thighs. I'm usually able to steam the lines out in just a few minutes without much trouble. I also like how effortless these Linen Patch Pocket Wide Leg Pants are to wear and style. I love them with a tank and sandals for casual days, or dressed up with the right accessories for dinner.
The lightweight linen has no stretch and no liner. However, I've never had any issue with anything showing through. If you're between sizes, I'd size up.
Would I buy this again? Yes, they feel nicely loose and wide-legged without swallowing me whole.
The Linen Pleated Trousers
These tailored-style Linen Pleated Trousers feel dressier than regular drawstring linen pants, so they're a great option to wear to the office.
The hidden elastic waistband at the back adds a lot of stretch, which is a pro — but also a con. In my case, it made the pants feel loose and I regret not exchanging them for a smaller size. They're okay, they just look a bit big and bulky (though that second part is because I chose the color white).
The liner means they're not see-through. For this particular style, the white and flax colorways come with a full inside lining that's made from 85% polyester and 15% cotton. That's a good thing, as it avoids any sheer wardrobe mishaps.
However, it does add some substantial bulk that's not present with darker colors. I'm okay with it because I specifically wanted crisp white linen pants for summer. But if you'd prefer a more streamlined style, I'd suggest going with a different shade.
Would I buy this again? Yes, but only if I sized down and chose a darker color.
The bottom line
As a whole, I think the Quince linen line is a fantastic option for anyone who loves wearing the summer staple but doesn't want to spend a ton of money. It's pretty remarkable that the most expensive item I tested is the $84 dress.
Every piece I tested lives up to its promise of being lightweight, breathable, and comfortable to wear. I found some pieces wrinkle easily, but that's the nature of the fabric. You'd encounter this problem anywhere, regardless of the brand or price.
If you're unsatisfied, there's a 365-day return window (just be sure your payment method adheres to the same policy, or else you may only get receive store credit).
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