One of the highlights of working at PureWow is getting laser insight into the shopping habits of readers, courtesy of affiliate director Pam Masin. She’s watching what everyone adds to cart and can read the Amazon and Nordstrom sales like nobody’s business. So, when she said that one sweater sold like crazy over the past year, I was all ears. What exactly does our discerning reader, with her penchant for French capsule wardrobes, comfortable pants and the occasional accent trend (track pants or blokette core, for example), want in a sweater? Apparently, it’s the best-selling Quince Cotton Cashmere Dolman Sweater—a shape and fabrication I’d never thought to wear. But maybe I should give it a try?
Our Readers' Most Purchased Item Is This Quince Sweater—I Tested It to See the Hype
The secret is in the sleeves
•
Published Sep 29, 2025
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Quince/Original Photo by Dana Dickey
Original photos by Dana Dickey
Out of the package, I noticed right away the distinctive feel of the knit. It’s a tight stitch that is more like fabric than a chunky knit sweater. Next, I noticed that…it basically has no shape. It’s a big rectangle of smooth sweater without any ornamentation or special ribbing or well, almost anything. So far, so…meh?
Then I slipped it over my head and understood the appeal—it looks so elegant and is so flattering. That’s because neck isn’t too tight, and the dolman sleeves are so roomy that they nicely hide any lack of toning I might have in my upper arms. And the hem? It falls 23.5 inches from the shoulder, long enough to be tucked into a waistband and yet short enough so that it doesn’t look shapeless if left hanging loose.
Perhaps the aspect that makes this a cut above the usual crew necks and cardigans I gravitate toward is the sleeve. The dolman style—an extremely low sleeve attachment that narrows to a smaller sleeve opening— allows for plenty of room underneath for layering T-shirts or button-fronts, without looking or feeling cramped. I’ve already worn mine solo with flip-flops and a pair of nice shorts for a weekend lunch, while on a cooler morning I paired it with a tissue turtleneck and wide trousers. It’s a Cinderella story, this sweater-top!
A note about the “cotton-cashmere” billing in the sweater’s title. Initially, I was skeptical about the cashmere content (it’s only three percent of the total, along with 65 percent cotton and 32 percent viscose) being mentioned in the title at all. Then I felt the smooth yarn and noticed how finely woven it is, a feel I’d not experienced in other cotton/viscose sweaters. Also, I remembered that, say, in jeans, a three percent elastane addition makes for a very stretchy pair of jeans. So, I decided that the Quince Dolman sweater’s element of cashmere was a small but mighty magical touch.
As for washing, I’ve had good luck with it on the gentle cycle then blocking it on a towel to dry (I wouldn’t dream of risking the dryer). So far, of the seven soft and heathered hues available, oatmeal has been my jam, but I’ve got my eye on olive and charcoal colors, so be ready for whatever warm-to-cold winter layering I have ahead.
