We Compared the Anthropologie Somerset Dress to Quince Tiered Maxi Dress to See Which Comes Out on Top

Anthropologie’s Somerset dress has been a best-seller for years now, and has even spurred an entire collection of Somerset staples, including a mini dress silhouette, pants, shorts, multiple tops and numerous spins on the classic maxi. The OG has more than 3,000 reviewers and an impressive 4.6-star rating. And I have to admit, it truly lives up to the hype.

The cotton is wonderfully lightweight, but has enough heft to maintain the fabulous puff shape of the sleeves. The dress is not lined (as opposed to Quince’s version, but more on that later), but the fabric doesn’t appear sheer at all. And according to reviews, that is also not a concern for paler hues. I also really love the way the neckline falls—it’s not too low but does show some clavicle to help break up all that fabric up top. There’s also a hidden hook-and-eye closure to ensure your bra stays covered, or you can leave it undone for a slightly sexier silhouette.

I am not the only fan on the PureWow editorial team, it turns out. Editorial Assistant Courtney Mason says of the iconic frock, “I always receive so many compliments when I wear it out and about. It’s extremely flattering and comfortable, and I think it’s a great maxi you can dress up and down. My only gripe is that it’s a little too lengthy. I’m 5’5” and it still falls below my ankles.” Indeed, the Somerset is a true maxi length (falling 55 inches from shoulder to hem), however it does come in petite sizes. The petite length is 4 inches shorter, and the sleeves and waist are also adjusted to better fit shorter folks. It also comes in plus sizes in all the same prints and colors.

Of course, no dress flawless. As mentioned, this Anthro beauty has no lining, which I don’t mind but some reviewers do. There are also very few solid-colored options—in fact, at time of publish there is only black for the original Somerset Maxi version. And at $168, this dress does not come cheap. One additional difference between the Anthropologie dress and the Quince version, is that the skirt of the former is more voluminous, though whether that’s a pro or a con comes down to personal preference.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: XXS to 3X, also Petite
• Materials: cotton
• Care Instructions: machine wash, lay flat to dry

The silhouette of this Quince maxi is nearly identical to the Anthropologie dress, but there are some key differences that truly set it apart. The most immediately noticeable difference is the fact that this beauty comes fully lined, which is mighty impressive given that this dress costs nearly $100 less than the Anthro design. I’m not all that concerned about my blue-and-white striped version appearing sheer, but it is nice to know there is an added lining for added assurance. That said, I do find the fit to be a tad smaller than Anthro. I’d still recommend getting your usual size, however, and it does feel like the cotton material will relax a bit over time.

The neckline is also slightly different. The Quince Tiered Maxi doesn’t have the same placket as Anthropologie’s design, though it does have a hidden snap that is positioned slightly higher than the hook-and-eye on the Somerset dress. This allows you to alternate between a demure (and bra-friendly) silhouette and a lower option if you want to show more skin. I do think the more rigid cotton and more modest neckline make this frock easier to dress up than the Anthro style, so it’s a particularly good option for the office or festive summer events. It also seems to wrinkle less when packed away in a weekender bag, though it could be the stripe print working in my favor.

Speaking of prints, although Quince has fewer wild florals, Mediterranean tiles or fruit prints than Anthro (tough to compete with a brand so well known for its bold pattern options), the range of solid colors is really fabulous. There’s truly something for everyone, starting with the classics of basic black or white, but also a gorgeous delicate lilac, trendy vermilion red and even Barbie pink.

As for cons, there are a handful of important things to consider. First is that there is no petite option and this is a true maxi, which means the 5’2”-and-under crew will likely want to get this beauty hemmed or wear it with heels. And while it does come in plus sizes, up to a 3X, there are far fewer color options and it costs $10 more (which is standard practice for all of Quince’s plus-size offerings). The care instructions are also a little unclear—online the brand suggests you can toss this maxi in the washing machine using cold water and tumble dry is on a low setting. But the physical tag says to hand wash and lay flat to dry. Because it's made of 100-percent cotton, there is a high likelihood of the fabric shrinking if exposed to high heat, so I’d stick with cold temperatures and gentle settings whichever method you try.

FAST FACTS

• Size Range: XS to XL (and 1X to 3X for $80)
• Materials: 100 percent organic cotton
• Care Instructions: machine wash cold, tumble dry low