Cheap Fashion Clothes from Shein: Is It Worth Buying and What Is the Quality of the Items

As much as you love expensive brands like Lululemon and Tory Burch, you can’t go wrong with a good discount on these clothes. It’s great to buy a lot of stuff for cheap, right? For example, paying $3 for a tank top and $12 for a swimsuit instead of buying the same thing for ten times the price. Big influencers are constantly posting about the things they bought fantastically cheap from online company Shein. Blogger of the app Reviewed USA Today Amanda Oliver decided to check from personal experience whether the price really corresponds to the quality of goods and services and whether these savings will turn into money thrown down the drain.

Photo: Timon Schneider | Dreamstime.com

“I was skeptical,” admitted Amanda Oliver. “I’d read too many stories of people trying to shop online at similarly cheap retailers, only to receive clothes that looked nothing like the photos, arrived months late, or, worse, fell apart after a few days of wear. Would Shein deliver on its promise of affordable clothes that looked (and felt!) expensive? Wanting to find out, I placed my first order… and two years later, the online store has become one of my favorite places to find budget fashion. Although, I must admit, some of the products are not without their flaws.”

What is Shein

Shein is an online fast fashion company from China that started in 2008 and is known for offering super cheap clothes. With the motto “Everyone can enjoy the beauty of fashion,” Shein primarily sells women’s clothing. However, the company has recently expanded to include accessories, shoes, children’s clothing, and men’s clothing. The brand has become famous on social media thanks to its clever advertising policy – ​​it sends influencers free clothes that they review.

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But Shein has found itself at the center of controversy for its lack of supply chain transparency and its collection of customer data. The brand has also faced criticism over the years for allegedly copying the work of both established and emerging designers and artists. The company has also been accused of contributing to the “crisis of overconsumption” created by the fast fashion industry.

Fast fashion is a business model in which clothing is produced and delivered to stores in a short time frame to quickly respond to changing fashion trends. Fast fashion items often copy the latest trends from the catwalk and popular designers. The clothing is produced quickly and from inexpensive materials. The assortment in stores changes very quickly, sometimes several times a month. Items are often designed to last a short time, which encourages consumers to buy new items.

Fast fashion has been criticised for its negative impact on the environment due to large volumes of textile waste, as well as low wages and poor working conditions in factories.

What is it like to order clothes from Shein

The amount of clothing available on Shein is staggering, to say the least. So while the site is easy and intuitive to navigate, know that "shopping" won't be a quick process.

"I spent almost an hour clicking through links before settling on three pieces: an oversized leopard print cardigan, a green button-down dress, and a plush teddy coat," the blogger noted.

When it comes to shipping, Shein offers both standard and express shipping. Standard shipping takes six to eight business days, while express shipping can be delivered as early as the next day. Shipping costs range from $3,99 to $12,90. Shein offers free standard shipping on orders over $29 and free express shipping on orders over $129. Plus, if you live in the U.S., you’re eligible for free returns within 35 days of purchase, as long as the items are unworn and in the original packaging.

How to choose size

The hardest part of shopping for clothes online is deciding on the size.

“I’ve heard horror stories about Shein’s sizing, so I was extra cautious. Luckily, each item comes with a detailed size chart with specific measurements,” Amanda Oliver explained. “Even if you know your usual size, I’d still recommend checking the chart just in case, as several reviewers have complained about ordering a small and receiving something that was too big, and sometimes vice versa. My items fit pretty true to size. The dress I ordered in my usual size was fitted in all the right places and hit right at my mid-thigh. The teddy coat, which I ordered a size up, was roomy enough to layer over other clothes, and the sleeves came to my wrists, just as the sizing chart said they would. However, the oversized cardigan was a little tighter in the sleeves than I would have liked, even though I ordered a size up.”

Are Shein clothes quality?

Yes and no, depending on the product.

"In my experience, the quality of the clothes at Shein is as inconsistent as the sizing," Amanda shared. "For example, the leopard cardigan I ordered is thick and cozy, not at all itchy or stiff. Plus, it hasn't shrunk or stretched out, even after multiple washes.

I was hoping the dress would be as good quality, but it wasn't. Although it looks just like the pictures, after one wash one of the buttons fell off and a few loose threads came out of the seams.

As for the jacket, I would rate the quality as mediocre. It is soft, of course, but the material itself (polyester fleece) is very thin. I put the jacket on one of the cold autumn days, and it did not warm me very much, although it did not shrink after washing."

Is it worth buying clothes from the Shein brand?

Only if you don't plan to wear the items often.

With Shein, you get what you pay for: affordable, trendy clothes that can be a hit or miss when it comes to actual quality. It’s the online equivalent of malls like Forever 21, H&M, and Zara. Shop at Shein for trends that will last a week or two, as well as pieces you plan to wear only a few times. When it comes to coats, jeans, work clothes, or other items you want to wear all the time, it’s better to spend a little more money on higher-quality clothes that will last.

If you do decide to shop at Shein, be sure to do your research first. Be aware that the size, quality, and appearance of an item may not match your expectations or what you see in the photos. To avoid unpleasant surprises, always check the size chart and read any reviews of the product. Product reviews that include photos are most helpful—they let you see what the item looks like in real life.

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What to buy at Shein

If you decide to shop at Shein (and other fast fashion retailers), do so with caution and consideration. It's worth starting with basic items that you'll need to change often (underwear, tank tops). Pay attention to the fabric composition. Items made from 100% cotton or wool will generally last longer than those made from synthetic or blended fabrics. And finally, it's worth buying trendy items there that are unlikely to stay popular for long.

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