to feel uncomfortable to shop on SHEIN?

[erhsla14]

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).

directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/joules
Another point of reference for brands.

Judging by some of the swimsuits I've seen advertised, it's the complete lack of material that saves money

@AnxiousSquirrel

I regularly shop on there for clothing and household items, actually love the quality, recently got a bunch of reduced Christmas/Halloween stuff for super cheap.

There's a reason its cheap! Unethical practice.

I agree with everyone/the general consensus on this thread, hence have not shopped on shein and wasn't really ever planning on it either (how could a really lovely dress actually cost £5 and arrive and fit like it does in the pics..) so really I'm asking if people know of alternative websites where the style is similar but the pricing reasonable e.g £20-40 but not outrageous like £200 (IMO) for a dress.

I find myself browsing endlessly and not liking anything on all the other sites.

Shein makes me angry. It is the very opposite of how we should be shopping and living.

thegoodshoppingguide.com/subject/ethical-fashion-retailers/

Even if the quality was good I couldn't buy from such an unethical store.

@LoudSnoringDog

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

This is pretty much the long and short of it. Of course it's unethical. Purchasing a whole outfit for less than a tenner is not normal but regardless their things are wholly crap - look nothing like they do online and they rip off a lot of solo designers.

@erhsla14

I agree with everyone/the general consensus on this thread, hence have not shopped on shein and wasn't really ever planning on it either (how could a really lovely dress actually cost £5 and arrive and fit like it does in the pics..) so really I'm asking if people know of alternative websites where the style is similar but the pricing reasonable e.g £20-40 but not outrageous like £200 (IMO) for a dress.

I find myself browsing endlessly and not liking anything on all the other sites.

Zara or ASOS are your friends here. They too are questionable but you can definitely look stylish on a decent budget.

I agree with you. I spent ages choosing an item, reading reviews etc, and then couldn’t make myself actually checkout. It’s more affordable than elsewhere but it was the ethics of it that stopped me ultimately.

I
Don't use Shein, but designer expensive brands are as unethical

Many of your more expensive brands are just as unethical but ppl seem to think because they spend more it's somehow better, it's not.

I'm so glad you posted as I genuinely never thought about this. I mostly shop second hand but DD12 and her friends use shein as you get alot for your pocket money. I'll have a word to her about why it's not a good choice.

@Palavah

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

Agree. There are so many secondhand markets now.

It's a shocking company. The quality was poor of the items I ordered. Smelled really strongly of tyres. Didn't resemble to pictures either.

@OnaBegonia

Many of your more expensive brands are just as unethical but ppl seem to think because they spend more it's somehow better, it's not.

Exactly! I am baffled seeing how posts pointing this out are just being ignored. But hypocritical.

@whatwasIgoingtosay

My Mumsnet background ads are nearly all for Oxfam clothes - more so since I bought a blouse from them recently. There are some fantastic buys and the website is a great source for all sorts of secondhand clothes. Buy there, not Shein, and spread some good around!

I have looked on there a few times and for second hand clothing it is very expensive.

My expensive Whistles dress is made in China…

@Kione I don’t think anyone’s ignoring it, it just doesn’t necessarily need a response. Many expensive brands are also unethical but that doesn’t excuse Shein. And this thread is specifically about them.

With places like Shein and Primark the ethics of it jump out at you much more than expensive places so you’re bound to be more likely to consider it. Some places (H&M, Uniqlo) ‘cleverly’ hide their bad practices impactful.ninja/most-unethical-clothing-companies/

Had never heard of it, just had a look and their S size men's is 36" 🤔

Charity shops? Ebay 2nd hand?

I did order some dresses but they never arrived!