To think Shein has upped it’s game

I don't buy Chinese goods if I can help it and certainly don't buy their cotton. Yes, the West should ban their goods but we do billions worth of trade with them and other countries with bad human rights records. We use them to boost profit.

Which retailers are "profiteering"? High street retailers are literally cheaper than ever in history relative to incomes. Charity shops are full of clothes for a couple of quid. Facebook and giveaway sites are full of free clothes. Charity collection bins are literally overflowing with textiles. We absolutely categorically do not have an issue with clothing affordability. It is an imagined problem.

Exactly. I'm a very keen recycler for example.

The only people that have any power to shut down unethical practices are governments and the very rich. They just foist the guilt trips on us minions (mugs). They ultimately could stop it all pretty sharpish if they wanted to. Guess they don't hey? Wonder why that is.

Definitely not my only flaw.
But I don’t judge other peoples environmental choices and make them feel bad about it.
I don’t drive, travel by plane, I only eat organic meat but don’t expect others to, we all contribute in different ways.

Just me ? Or literally billions of us worldwide? You really believe that me not shopping at SHEIN because you're coercing me not to and forcing me to take action about something I haven't said is a hill I'm willing to die on , is going to stop SHEIN production ? For my cancellation, another 2 (thousand) people will have signed up.

Retailers should stop profiteering to jaw dropping degrees. Then people may not be so allured by SHEIN and the likes.

You don't need to be a fucking hero. It's not a battle to choose to shop literally anywhere else. It's so easy to just not go to SHEIN.
None of us can change the world, or the past or control our governments. We can make a personal choice not to wade deeper into shit.

99% of everything I wear is secondhand, mostly bought from Vinted or online and occasionally in charity shops. I draw the line at underwear and my running shoes, which I buy new. That’s a choice though. - I could buy expensive clothes if I wanted to buy clothes aren’t a priority for me so I don’t.

When I was younger and much poorer, SHEIN, Temu etc didn’t exist. I used to buy second-hand clothes and alter them myself to fit or make my own. I once had only one pair of shoes - like canvas daps. I’d put holes in the top and had to embroider flowers over the top to hide it. I got loads of compliments and was often asked where I’d bought them from but the truth is that being that poor absolutely sucked. But I was lucky because I’d been taught to sew.

For far too many families today decisions about housing/heating/clothing/eating are really difficult and sacrifices have to be made. While I wish fast fashion wasn’t a thing and I worry terribly about ethics and environment, I can’t find it in me to judge someone whose only chance at paying for a family holiday is to spend as little as possible on clothes, particularly if they’ve already had to shell out hundreds on the racketeering that is branded school uniform and are prioritising more expensive quality food to feed their family.

The real question is why we’ve become so consumerist - about everything, not just clothes - and lost the skills to make do with what we have and adapt it as needed. That’s driven by the economy and it is actively encouraged by business and government who keep promoting growth. People who buy anything new when there’s a perfectly good second-hand alternative or it’s questionable that they even need it at all are simply doing what they’re encouraged to do!

And I won’t judge you for that as a non driver myself. It will make your life easier but at a cost environmentally.
And I won’t give in on the shein because I love the choice and cheapness.
It’s easy to be hypocritical, we all do it. We do what we can in certain areas and are flawed elsewhere

But it is your battle because you’re shopping at Shein. You picked a side. It’s not like you’re making no impact either way.

Indeed. We're all at it in one way or another. You'd be very rich indeed if every purchase choice you made was to the benefit of the greater good. Most people only have the capacity to take on the problems of their own self and their nearest and dearest, whilst being mindful and courteous in their conduct with others and the wider world. We need heroes : but we can't all be one. Repeating myself: this one's just not my battle I'm afraid.

I didn't. HTH

Of course it's been repeated, it's a long thread with lots of contributors. It's not as though you've adding something revolutionary with each new post...

And the West, and the rest of us in terms of our purchases of other Chinese products are doing what exactly in opposition to this?

You cant move for discussion about the historic African slave trade and protests about Gaza etc, but none of us are seemingly bothered enough to cause a big fuss about this, apart from silently refuse to by things from Shein?

Ive got no skin in the game, I dont use the site, I dont intend to, not for this reason but I dont buy stuff like that. But I do buy plenty on Amazon which mostly is made in Chinese sweatshops most likely, supporting a government who supports slavery. Just like the rest of us.

Why can't we discuss the ethics of shein in isolation? Why are our other choices relevant?

Also, btw? Currently, no, no, no and no. Although I'm about to give in on the driving due to poor public transport, to be fair.

Sad but true.

Sure. You do you. Just don't wring your hands and claim unethical clothes shopping is your only choice.

Thanks for answering.

One message would suffice with "I don't approve of your choices " then I could respond with "ok". Job done. But it's repeated predictable messages guilt tripping you obviously don't care about the children.

And anyone comparing SHEIN to Primark? Have you ever bought anything from Primark?! It's threadbare and shapeless and made out of the most tatty material. SHEIN on the other hand is stylish, multiple choices. Especially for someone like me who is only 5ft. Never has buying trousers been so easy! I don't do much for myself to be honest. So if it's my guilty sin, then it is !

It's not a guilt trip. It's just an opinion. Nobody else has to "accept" your shopping habits. We are well aware that we cannot make you change but we obliged to ignore harmful consumerism to make you feel better.

But some people don't want to do that. And that's their choice. it might not sit well with you , but under 'crimes of the century' it doesn't feature for me I'm afraid.

Didn't you say shein is your "only flaw"? So presumably you never do any of these things either? You're posting from your secluded hut on your handmade device are you?

I think it's more the anti sheiners that are delicate. Won't accept "I will continue to shop at SHEIN" without acting like I've just admitted I've set up a direct debit to Kim Jong un!

Accept that people do something you don't approve of without guilt tripping them.

Do you drive? Have an iphone? Eat meat from supermarkets? Fly in a plane? Etc
Come back and get all preachy when you’re living off the land in a secluded hut.

I can cope, hence why I keep coming back 😂 I’m loving the outrage about something you can’t change and that millions do.