Is Shein Good Quality? (2024)

"Cost" can mean a lot of things, especially when you consider the environmental and ethical cost of production.

Is Shein Good Quality? (1)

By Lauren Wellbank

May 10 2024, Published 4:13 p.m. ET

Shein has become synonymous with fast fashion, since the brand is known for being able to mass produce clothing products and accessories quickly and at incredibly low prices. The company owes much of that affordability and efficiency to the fact that it doesn't rely on any third-party companies. Instead, they connect manufacturers directly with customers, eliminating costly middlemen like warehouses, distributors, and retailers.

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While that isn't the only way they keep costs low — Shein has faced backlash over claims of human rights violations that include relying on exploitative labor tactics that may involve using enslaved people as part of their workforce — many people wonder if the old adage is true when it comes to Shein products: You get what you pay for. Don't click "add to cart" before reading more about the fashion retailer, including whether folks think Shein merch qualifies as good quality products.

Is Shein Good Quality? (3)

Do Shein clothes hold up over time?

To find out whether or not Shein sells quality clothes, all you need to do is head over to Reddit to see what shoppers have to say about the product. In a post asking about whether or not Shein clothes were worth the hype, user @zztop610 was flooded with horror stories from former buyers. "I bought off there once," @mtempissmith wrote in part. "Nothing looked like the pics, much cheaper fabrics were used, and it was all three sizes smaller than it should have been."

Another person added that while they had received clothes that fit, their Shein merch generally doesn't last more than a single season, so shoppers should be aware that they'll only get a few wears out of each item. "Not exaggerating in the least when I say I almost never had a piece last even a whole season with fast fashion," @OrganicAnt2923 wrote.

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And while many people were cautioning the OP against buying the products because of how well they'll hold up, there were others who told them that the human cost was simply too high to pay. They cited some of the other allegations levied against the company, which include the environmental impacts of fast fashion, claims that the brand steals from other designers, and the disparity between how much the company's executives make compared to laborers who may be working against their will.

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Real customer reviews of Shein clothes show that the fast fashion brand's products are inconsistent in quality.

While it may be hard to take the word of faceless Redditors, there are countless first-person reviews available on TikTok, Instagram, and other places that can give you more insight into what you can expect from the controversial company. That includes this woman's review for USA Today, where she tried a selection of clothing from the retailer with varying results.

While she said that some of the clothes in her haul were hit-or-miss, there wasn't anything that she would actually add into her regular rotation, simply because even the Shein pieces she liked weren't high quality enough to make the cut — ouch! It sounds like the consensus is that when it comes to shopping Shein products, not even the low cost can make these frocks worth the price... and that goes for both the financial costs and the ethical ones as well. If you're a fan of low-priced duds, we recommend the world of thrift shopping.

Is Shein Good Quality? (2024)

FAQs

Is Shein Good Quality? ›

The Short Answer on Shein's Clothing Quality

Does Shein have good quality things? ›

Some items may exceed expectations, while others may fall short in terms of fabric, construction, or durability. Fast Fashion: Shein follows the fast fashion model, which means that the focus is on producing trendy items quickly and at a low cost. This can sometimes result in lower quality materials and craftsmanship.

Why do people prefer Shein? ›

Its biggest selling point is the low pricing of clothes that are shipped to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, catering to women in their teens and 20s.

Why is Shein clothing so cheap? ›

Outsourcing labor

One of the key ways that Shein and other fast-fashion brands keep prices low is by outsourcing manufacturing labor to cheaper markets, said Dana Thomas, a Paris-based fashion journalist and author of “Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.”

What website is like Shein but better quality? ›

ASOS is yet another great alternative to Shein, as it accommodates a variety of shoppers while still maintaining fair prices. Though it's not the cheapest option on this list, the quality tends to be higher than most similar brands.

How much do Shein workers get paid? ›

SHEIN Salary FAQs

The average SHEIN hourly pay ranges from approximately $16 per hour (estimate) for a Store Associate to $45 per hour (estimate) for an Evaluar ropa. SHEIN employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.5/5 stars.

Why do people criticize Shein? ›

Transparency is a crucial aspect of ethical business practices, yet Shein has been repeatedly criticized for its lack of transparency. The company's supply chain remains largely opaque, making it difficult to trace the origins of its products and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Does Shein use child labor, yes or no? ›

"We have zero tolerance for forced labor. We have zero tolerance for child labor," says Shein's Pernot-Day, adding that the company requires its manufacturers to comply with their local laws. Some of Shein's 5,000-some manufacturers are now in Brazil and Turkey, but most remain in China.

Why do girls like Shein? ›

Shein's clothes are incredibly affordable. And if you're in their core demographic—young women—it's almost impossible to escape Shein's marketing. If you imagine a Venn diagram of social media, fashion, and software, SHEIN is right in the middle.

Is it OK to order from Shein? ›

Is Shein legit or a scam? Shein operates as a legitimate online store on its website and app. With its roots in China and operational headquarters now in Singapore, Shein is known for an endless selection of stylish clothes and trendy accessories at appealing prices.

Is Shein or Temu better? ›

In essence, Temu allows customers to find virtually any product they can imagine. Shein, on the other hand, is a more dedicated fast fashion shopping destination and it is one of the top choices when it comes to apparel.

Who owns Shein? ›

The company is currently owned by Sky Xu, also known as Chris Xu in the International English media. Today, he is a billionaire after starting the company in 2015 with Molly Miao; Miao is now COO of Shein. Maggie Gu and Henry Ren have also been part of the company since its start.

How long does Shein jewelry last? ›

The lifespan of SHEIN jewelry can vary widely. Some pieces might keep their sparkle for months or even longer, while others might show signs of wear and tear a bit sooner. It all depends on the materials used, how often you wear it, and how well you take care of it.

Does Shein sell real brands? ›

Today, many items on Shein Marketplace appear to be sold via the gray market. Some are listed under sellers that do not include the brand's name in their title. Big-name brands are listed as “premium brands” and have brand pages on Shein Marketplace, but even these can be confusing to the user.

Where do Shein clothes come from? ›

Shein produces clothing in China to sell online in the United States, Europe and Asia excluding China. It does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and instead works with around 5,400 third-party contract manufacturers, mainly in China.

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