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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel uncomfortable to shop on SHEIN?

72 replies

erhsla14 · 10/04/2022 20:22

I really like the styles but just don't understand how it could possibly be so cheap without being very unethical.

Does anyone have alternative suggestions, happy to pay a bit more for similar styles (but not loads more, I often see on MN people paying £100s for a top/dress etc).

OP posts:
Lucia23 · 10/04/2022 20:24

I'm with you OP.

Started shopping there other day then abandoned the cart. Ended up shopping on the high street instead. Clothes aren't meant to be that cheap!

Palavah · 10/04/2022 20:25

Of course there will be unethical practices, plus the quality is generally not great - thin fabrics, v tight seams.

Best way to shop ethically is to buy secondhand

Thehop · 10/04/2022 20:28

I’ve seen lovely stuff in there, but won’t support child/unethical labour like that.

I’ve bought on Vinted instead.

YoComoManzanas · 10/04/2022 20:31

I tried it for a few garments and they were really not very good quality and didn't look like the pics. Sent them all back and realised it was not an ethical place to shop. I try to buy second hand quality brands on ebay but that can be hit and miss.

CharityShopChic · 10/04/2022 20:32

It's cheap shit made in a cheap shit Chinese sweatshop.

Bagelsandbrie · 10/04/2022 20:32

Apart from the ethical side of things their customer service is absolutely dreadful. I know several people who have ordered and returned things and have never received refunds at all, despite multiple chasing up emails / messages / social media etc: they just ignore you in the end.

Reluctantadult · 10/04/2022 20:34

I love vinted. I'd never been compliment on my clothes before, until I started getting 'better' clothes nearly new on vinted. I tick the box to filter for new with / without tags and search by brand or material.

toconclude · 10/04/2022 20:34

@Thehop

I’ve seen lovely stuff in there, but won’t support child/unethical labour like that.

I’ve bought on Vinted instead.

Yup. Also eBay and charity shops in well off areas.
SlashBeef · 10/04/2022 20:35

I can't bring myself to use it. Aside from the ethical concerns, everything seems to be polyester 🤢

Vsirbdo · 10/04/2022 20:36

I bought a couple of things on there when I first came across it and they are nice but I haven’t been back on since as like you say how cheap it is made me feel uneasy.

Original poster
erhsla14 · 10/04/2022 20:36

You've all convinced the 1% of my brain that was curious to absolutely not bother.

Any suggestions for similar styles but better quality/customer services etc?

OP posts:
SaxendaSummer · 10/04/2022 20:46

eBay,charity shops,vinted....how do you know where that stuff is from? how do you know its ethical?

CharityShopChic · 10/04/2022 20:48

@SaxendaSummer

eBay,charity shops,vinted....how do you know where that stuff is from? how do you know its ethical?
Second hand is obviously more ethical as it is not new.
Reluctantadult · 10/04/2022 20:49

@SaxendaSummer

eBay,charity shops,vinted....how do you know where that stuff is from? how do you know its ethical?
I search for brands that are ethical but that I can't afford new. However just buying secondhand any brand is more ethical because it already exists, with all the ethics and resources embodied in that, and you're saving it from going to landfill.
SaxendaSummer · 10/04/2022 20:51

so it doesn't matter at that point if its from GAP ,H & M etc...

if someone compliments you on your top and asks where its from do you say Hollister or vinted?

cherish123 · 10/04/2022 20:51

The stuff looks quite nice online but I ordered 2 tops and material was horrid.

Reluctantadult · 10/04/2022 20:53

@SaxendaSummer

so it doesn't matter at that point if its from GAP ,H & M etc...

if someone compliments you on your top and asks where its from do you say Hollister or vinted?

I would say I got it on vinted. I like to promote it! And then tell them the brand of top if they specifically wanted to know that.
Allelbowsandtoes · 10/04/2022 20:56

@SaxendaSummer

eBay,charity shops,vinted....how do you know where that stuff is from? how do you know its ethical?
It's second hand Grin the money isn't going to the manufacturer. OP, totally get your concerns about Shein but honestly most fast fashion clothing is produced using cheap labour in dodgy garment factories. Look up the fashion transparency index if you want to read more.
Chishnfips · 10/04/2022 20:56

Shien use algorithms to read what is popular on socials and push out their copies within a few days. They have 10,000 new items on their website every single day and it will display the popular stuff depending in which country you're in. So the places to look for similar styles is just anywhere else in the fashion market.

EleanorDeCleaner · 10/04/2022 20:57

I have ordered and was pleasantly surprised that the stuff didn't look as terrible in reality as it does in some of the reviews. I kept it but the "cut" is basic (yet better than some plus-size stores) and as others are saying, it is uncomfortably cheap. I don't think I'll bother again.

SaxendaSummer · 10/04/2022 20:57

i've got shein clothing down the sidebar now

VyeBrator · 10/04/2022 21:02

It's very hit and miss anyway OP. I've had some nice stuff from there and some really awful stuff that looked nothing like the photoshopped pictures.

LoudSnoringDog · 10/04/2022 21:03

I got some items that did not resemble in any way shape or form what I ordered. Cheap crap

nopuppiesallowed · 10/04/2022 21:03

I worry that anything made in China may be made by Uighurs in slave camps. I love the look of things from Lilysilk, too, but won't buy stuff from them just in case. And now someone's told me that sheets from John Lewis are made in China.. I know there are serious questions about manufacturing in other countries but China worries me more. Would love suggestions from Mumsnetters...

medicmummm · 10/04/2022 21:05

Like others have said….

Really poor quality.

Look nothing like the pictures… think wish but clothing Hmm

Take ages and ages (4 weeks +) to send a refund and sometimes just don’t!

Look elsewhere, I usually wait for sales. Can get some bargains on eBay inc. new stuff!

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