About a year into keeping up with every new Quince drop, we reviewed Quince jeans in its earliest stages. What started as a bare-bones selection of stretchy denim now includes rigid fabrics, trendy barrel-legs, and inclusive sizes categorized into five styles: Bella, Luna, Nina, Mia, and Maya.

Impressively, the average price of Quince jeans remains $50-$60 a pair, making Quince one of our favorite places for affordable denim. For reference, the quality of its stretch denim isn’t that different from a pair of Mother Denim jeans I thrifted years ago, and I also found a fit similar to Levi’s Wedgie Jeans to wear this fall.

After our two style editors tried on Quince’s Bella jeans, their high-rise fit felt versatile in both its stretchy and rigid forms. You won’t find many super wide-leg styles aligned with the baggy jean trend at Quince, but we still found value in its straight-leg styles.

First we tried the Bella Stretch Straight Jeans, made with an organic cotton-recycled poly blend.

These stretchy jeans look nearly identical to my Mother Denim jeans, but feel a bit softer and lighter. The elasticated fabric has a gentle sculpting effect around the waist and hips, and they’re even flexible enough to squat in.

I’ve washed my Quince stretch jeans sparingly over the past two years to preserve their shape and color. The dye has faded a bit, but the construction remains solid. I would’ve worn them more if the length wasn’t so cropped on my 5-foot-9 frame, but they debuted before Quince offered a 32-inch inseam.

The inseams felt more tailored for petites, but the overall fit is true to size.

“I generally don’t gravitate towards stretch denim, and these Bella Stretch Kick Flare Jeans from Quince are almost like jeggings,” writes executive editor Sally Kaplan. “While they’re not what I’d usually buy for myself, I’m glad I had the chance to test them because they’re shockingly comfy! The material is on the thinner side, so I think they’ll be best for summer and fall seasons — perfect for tucking into knee-high boots with a Barbour jacket. I do think some of the styles are a little dated (like the skinny jeans … sorry to my fellow Millennials!) but I know some people are just ride-or-die for their skinnies. To each their own!”

Then we tried the Quince Bella Rigid Jeans. These felt well worth the extra $10.

It’s even more important to get the sizing right with rigid denim, since there’s no give in the fabric. I tested the Quince Bella Rigid Straight Jeans ($60) in my usual size 27. At first they felt the slightest bit tight in the hips and thighs, but they’ve relaxed after a few wears.

This pair is an affordable alternative to Levi’s Wedgie Jeans ($110). It replicates that same snug rear fit which lifts and defines your butt, though not so much that you feel you’re being cut in half.

When I compare the Bella Stretch jeans to the rigid ones, I’m more confident in the latter pair’s durability. I’m also partial to non-stretch denim to begin with (the only stretch jeans I like are my Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans). In my experience, the firm, lightweight fabric feels more lived-in and retains its shape better.

Despite our different sizes, we were both able to find a comfortable high-rise fit.

“One of the best things about Quince’s denim launch is that they offer multiple inseam lengths,” writes Sally. “At 5-foot-2, I appreciate this so much, though I know the taller among us are probably desperate for a longer inseam option. The 26-inch inseam fit my frame perfectly, giving the jeans a slightly cropped look that I didn’t have to achieve by cutting the pair myself. All you shorties out there know what I’m talking about,” she adds.

When I held first held my Quince jeans up to myself in the mirror, I assumed they’d be too tight around the hips, but the elastic factor is impressive. Quince advises that these run big — I ordered a size 27. I’m about 38 inches around the hip, and found that the stretchiness allowed for the perfect amount of wiggle room. 

“I tested a mid-rise slim-straight pair and a high-rise kick-flare pair, but the difference between the rise was pretty negligible for someone of my height,” continues Sally. “If you’re taller, the difference is probably a lot more obvious. I think I prefer the kick-flare because it has a slightly more modern feel and pairs well with sandals, ballet flats, and sneakers, whereas the mid-rise slim pair is definitely the one I’d tuck into boots as the weather cools down.”

FAQs on Quince jeans

Are Quince jeans good?

Yes. We’ve given Quince clothing varying levels of approval, but the jeans punch above their price point. Its strong suit is lightweight, high-rise fits in stretch and rigid denim.

Do Quince jeans run small?

Quince jeans run mostly true to size, but if you have wider hips and thighs, you’ll likely feel more comfortable in a Curvy Bella Stretch Jean. The rigid pairs feel a bit slimmer up top and aren’t as well suited for sitting for long periods of time.

Do Quince jeans shrink?

Yes. Both the stretch and rigid denim will shrink in the dryer because they’re each made with varying percentages of cotton, and cotton is a natural fiber that contracts when exposed to high heat. I will only wash my Quince jeans when absolutely necessary and let them air dry to reduce shrinking.

What are the five types of Quince jeans?

• Bella: High-rise, stretch and non-stretch denim, multiple inseams, curve and plus-sizes included
• Luna: Mid-rise, stretch denim, multiple inseams, plus-sizes included
• Nina: Pull-on high-rise stretch denim, straight size only
• Mia: Pull-on mid-rise stretch denim, plus-size only
• Maya: Low-rise non-stretch denim, straight size only

Can I return Quince jeans if they don’t fit?

Yes, Quince has a 365-day return policy. However, make sure your payment method (whether that’s PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) adheres to the same default refund period as Quince. If it’s anything under 365 days, you may earn a store credit instead of your money back.

The bottom line

If you want affordable denim and aren’t set on the super wide-leg trend, then Quince jeans are worth a try. The pairs we wore from the Bella line have proven their lasting quality, and the sizing has stayed consistent over two years. I wouldn’t call them luxury grade, but for $50, we say Quince makes a mean jean.