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Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan vs. Quince Structured Cardigan: What a Fashion Editor *Really* Thinks

Similar but different

Author image: marissa wu
By Marissa Wu
•
Published Oct 14, 2025

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jenni kayne cooper cardigan vs quince structured cardigan uni
original photos by marissa wu/PureWow

When autumn arrives, the first thing I do is assess my knitwear collection…and then promptly look around to see how I can add to my wardrobe. What can I say? I love a good sweater. And two brands that both PureWow editors and readers love are Quince and Jenni Kayne. Editors have raved about Quince’s boyfriend cardigan, the fisherman sweaters and, of course, Jenni Kayne’s iconic Cocoon Cardigan. As I prepared for chilly season, I decided to put another duo to the test: Jenni Kayne’s wildly popular Cooper Cardigan vs. Quince’s structured cardigan. After six weeks, here’s my verdict.

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How I Tested the Sweaters

Both brands are familiar to me, and I’ve been wearing them the last few years, so I’ve had ample time to understand how each holds up long-term. Over the course of six weeks, I alternated wearing these two sweaters as fall temperatures started to settle into New York. I wore them on walks by the Hudson River, where the wind is breezy, and on chillier mornings and nights, as well as in the office and social events. To test their versatility, I styled the sweaters with T-shirts, jeans, dresses and also wore them alone. While evaluating, I kept in mind qualities like durability, warmth, ease of care, aesthetic and value.

jenni kayne cooper cardigan vs quince structured cardigan: jenni kayne
Original photo by Marissa Wu

My Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan Review

What I Like

  • tight weave protects against chilly wind gusts
  • doesn’t pill very much
  • wool/cashmere blend

What I Don't Like

  • dry clean only

Jenni Kayne

I had high hopes for the Cooper, because I have another Jenni Kayne sweater in my closet that’s been my go-to on the chilliest days. Of all the knitwear I own, it’s one of the best.

  • Durability: What I love about Jenni Kayne sweaters, and the Cooper specifically, is that the weave is very tight. This is probably due to the fact that it’s a wool/cashmere blend, so it’s a little rougher (but not at all uncomfortable) and not as stretchy. I prefer this, especially because the design includes front pockets. The tight weave makes the whole sweater feel more sturdy, and that my phone won’t pull too hard on the material when it’s tucked into said pockets.
  • Warmth: Again, because of the tight weave, very little wind will blow through the sweater. Jenni Kayne is the brand I reach for when I know I’m headed out into arctic temperatures. It’s also great at wicking away moisture when temperatures change and I go from a chilly 20 degrees to a very warm interior. I made the mistake of going out one night with just the Cooper, no coat, and the temperatures dropped into the low 60s with wind. Normally I would be freezing, but the sweater was more than enough to keep me comfortable.
  • Ease of Care: The downer is that it’s dry-clean only. I typically err on the side of a seasonal clean, and then let the sweater air out before storing it during the season.
  • Aesthetic: The hourglass shape is flattering and fitted. You can layer a T-shirt underneath, but nothing really heavy. Sometimes I like styling it with the last couple buttons undone for a more flowy look.
  • Value: When I say Jenni Kayne is some of the best knitwear I own, I mean it. Does it need to be at this price point? That, I’m not sure…

Fast Facts

  • Size Range: XS to XXL
  • Colors: 7
  • Material: wool, cashmere
$525 at Jenni Kayne
jenni kayne cooper cardigan vs quince structured cardigan: quince
Original photo by Marissa Wu

My Quince Structured Cardigan Review

What I Like

  • 100 percent cashmere
  • slightly roomier fit
  • more affordable price point

What I Don't Like

  • weave is looser
  • pills more easily

Quince

I’ve found that Quince produces some quality knits at a friendlier price point. In the past, I’ve had one of their fisherman cardigans and found it to be quite cozy. This go-round, I thought the structured cardigan performed remarkably well.

  • Durability: Quince’s cardigan is 100 percent cashmere and therefore incredibly soft. However, the knit is not as tight as, say, a wool or wool-blend sweater. It’s definitely stretchy, so that gives me pause on loading up my pockets. That’s a small downer, because I ditch my handbag any chance I get. Additionally, while I like Quince sweaters, I find that they can pill after just a handful of wears, forcing me to break out the fabric shaver.
  • Warmth: This sweater is cozy, but the looser cut and weave meant that on windy days, I could definitely feel more of a chill. It wasn’t super dramatic and was definitely still warm, but this is a sweater I’d probably plan to layer rather than wear alone, especially as it gets colder.
  • Ease of Care: You can hand-wash this in cold water. If you want to dry clean it, the brand recommends asking for delicate detergent. 
  • Aesthetic: The structured cardigan has the trendy hourglass cut, which flares slightly. It’s a tad less fitted, so if you do need to layer up underneath, there’s room to do so.
  • Value: In terms of the pricing versus quality, I find Quince to be a happy medium at the intersection of performance and cost.

Fast Facts

  • Size Range: XS to XXL
  • Colors: 8
  • Material: cashmere
$160 at Quince
jenni kayne cooper cardigan vs quince structured cardigan: comparison photo
Original photos by Marissa Wu

Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan vs. Quince Structured Cardigan

While the sweaters have nearly identical cuts, there are a few differences to keep in mind.

  • I’ve noticed that the Quince sweater pills more quickly.
  • The Quince cardigan is a bit roomier. After measuring, it seems you’ll have a half inch of additional width on either side. Great if you like layering, or if you prefer something less fitted.
  • Quince has a slightly lower neckline—it drops four inches from the top of the sweater, while Jenni Kayne’s drops three.
  • The Jenni Kayne Cooper has a tighter knit, probably due to the wool/cashmere blend. (Quince is 100 percent cashmere and more stretchy.) I’ve found that this construction makes the Cooper a tad warmer, especially on breezy nights. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this without a coat, but with Quince’s cardigan, I might bring along an additional layer.

The Bottom Line

Those who run cold and want a more fitted silhouette should opt for the Jenni Kayne Cooper cardigan. If you’re looking for an under $200 buy, looser fit, 100 percent cashmere option, Quince is your go-to. Overall, both sweaters have their merits, and I think it really comes down to your budget and whether or not you want to layer your clothes. Personally, I like Quince’s roomier cut for transitional dressing, and Jenni Kayne when it’s bitterly cold. And now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to dive into my knitwear pile and hibernate for winter.

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Marissa Wu

Editor, SEO and Audience Development

  • Writes across all verticals, including beauty, fashion, wellness, travel and entertainment, with a focus on SEO and evergreen content
  • Has previously worked at Popular Photography and Southern Living, with words in Martha Stewart and Forbes Vetted
  • Has a B.S. in journalism from Boston University
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