To think shein is actually good?

[sideeyes]

Always been sniffy about any fast fashion (never knowingly bought anything). Have lots of stuff going on over the summer. Spent 100s +++ on different outfits from various labels. Now desperate so gave Shein a try and the outfits look really good. As a tall woman it’s unusual to find stuff that actually fits well.

So long as you don’t mind your clothes being made by slaves…

I use Vinted.

Funny you should mention the being tall thing!

I'm 5'9 with a short waist & find getting things long enough in the leg (34") is nigh on impossible but both temu & Shein have furnished me with floor sweeping swooshy skirts & trousers. In fact I've a couple of pairs of really loose, wide leg trousers that ALWAYS have random women comment on them - it's like they've some magical power. Last week a woman did a double take in the bloody post office, stood back on the second look & declared I looked amazing & she LOVED my trousers - I looked like I live in a hedge, genuinely, unwashed hair scraped back, no make-up but it's the damn trousers.

Two skirts turned up yesterday & one touches the floor & the other the top of my feet.

I have to be careful & read reviews, looking for 'way too long, have to adjust' or the helpful tall ladies exclaiming their joy.

I'm not honestly sure if these prices were any cheaper than primark etc (betw £10 & £15) but they look expensive simply cos they fit me.

On ethics - I'm not convinced it's any worse than any other affordable, mass produced product & some paint pens I bought actually came from amazon where I could have bought them for 3x the price 🤷🏼

Eh?

You CAN raise an issue with any Vinted item that is not as listed and get a full refund. You don’t have to return the item. I have bought a few dresses this year that are either new or as new from decent labels. I have about 5 and spent £100 total. I also use good charity shops. I get a real thrill. Last weekend I got a Zara cream blazer and a Cos Breton top for £25. The week before a pair of unworn tan leather wedges ( hush puppy) for £9. Never shop in desperation just keep your eye out regularly.

Privilege allows you to be more discerning, the 'Vimes Boot Theory'.

As someone who sells things brand new I can categorically say no item has been stolen! This is a horrible sweeping accusation. I sell things brand new with tags as I have always struggled with shopping and buying far too much especially in online sales. I then realise much of it doesn’t fit well or suit me. I also have stuff in a smaller size than I am now. Everything I sell I paid for with my own money. I have always worked full time even when my children were young - ie went back full time straight after Mat leave. I am horrified that potential buyers might think I’m a shoplifter. Makes me want to take tags off now.

Nooooo I love BNWT! Ignore that accusation. Clearly no evidence of that.

Nobody is saying everything is stolen - it's not a personal accusation and I'm not sure why you're taking it as one. The reality though, is that there will be stolen and/or counterfeit goods on vinted.

Just out of curiosity, why don't you just return them if they don't fit or suit?

(not having a go, I buy BNWT on Ebay all the time) 😊

Is primark the same?

You can see what the seller has for sale and the prices and reviews and make a decision based on that. Have never seen anyone who seemed to be selling stolen goods.

I find shein great for plus size and tall. Their quality has improved massively recently. I also buy lots of household things and kids clothes from their. Much of their items are sold on tiktok/amazon etc and I have seen similar manufacturers labels in high street shops.

I think there are few shops out there that don't have similar set ups to shein somewhere along the manufacturing chain.
Use vinted too but can't try on and return so not great if not exactly standard size.

Yes, I agree. I don't like Vinted at all.

They will be there though.
The cleverer ones will do their best to make it not look obvious.

I think Shein looks cheap and tatty, the fabrics are very low quality.
That and the human rights aspect make Shein very unappealing.

Would never use Shein, Boohoo or any fast fashion personally

I volunteer in a charity shop and we get a lot of clothing donated BNWT - brand new with tags. People are not going to steal stuff and then donate it. I think often it's because it's such a trek from here back into town to do the return and when you factor in train fare or petrol and parking, it's not worth it. Or someone will buy a dress in the end of summer sales, put it away in the wardrobe and pull it out six months later and decide they don't really like it, or it doesn't fit. By then, you've passed the return period.

https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/our-news/retail/fashion-waste-facts-and-statistics/

Interesting read, without even touching on the inconvenience of slave labour.

This. You have to put self-interest aside and try to shop within a moral code. Buy less but better, try to buy locally or second hand where possible. It’s the labour conditikns as well as the enviro cost of landfill etc you need to think about

@FeministUnderTheCatriarchy A huge amount of stuff is not taken out of boxes or envelopes for months or even years after. Suspect I may have ADHD as I struggle with organisation and life admin generally. Buy things on impulse I do not need and have so much stuff already. Clothes are an absolute passion of mine. It’s easy to keep adding when the whole house is already given over to clothes. There was a woman in this series of Sort Your Life Out who had similar amounts of clothes. I’m not as bad with shoes- maybe 50 pairs but I easily have 300-350 dresses.

Donating BNWT isn't the same as selling it though.

Hardly a large percentage of Vinted sellers. Not a consideration for me. Far more sellers are those that buy and leave too long to return or they haven’t tried on. As another poster says you get this stuff in charity shops too .

Their point is that many people buy too much/ don’t try on/ don’t return in time so it ends up being sold or donated.

I bought some wedding button hole flowers from Shein last year - they were quite nice and good quality.

The clothing I've only come across in the charity shop and it seems on par with the cheap tat that Mango and Zara peddle out.