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.

You are aware that toxic chemicals don't necessarily smell, right, and also that second hand clothes can be washed? 😬

I use shein, temu etc. the quality aspect is 50/50, some pieces are brilliant, some are cheap shit, its a case of looking at the picture and after a while you can gauge what's goid or not.

as for the ethical dilemma, unless you are 100% not using anything sourced from Asia anywhere, and unlikely if you are typing on some sort of electronic, then you have 'supported' that culture. in other cultures children work, if they didn't their families would suffer. id bet nearly everyone in the West supports this through purchases one way or another. if people want to judge me for my purchases whilst ignoring their own, knock themselves out.

Yes, I noticed that too. I ordered what a I thought embroidered jacket but what arrived was the the design was printed on.

These days there are some good charity/ vintage shops that are more like boutiques. Prices are a little higher but they’re more selective in what they sell and it’s not clothes from the elderly.

There's a really rather huge difference between buying items for which there is no alternative, such as electronics, and buying items because they're cheap, such as the shite shein and the like sell.

Supporting child labour on the premise of at least its money going into the household is also vile.

I guarantee you will have things which have been made in a non ethical way in your possession - there is more in life than clothing you know.

However, you seem to think you know best so on you go with patting yourself on the back and believing you are single handedly saving the world!

Oh I've never bought anything from shein but some of the stuff that appears on my Facebook looks quite nice

If the likes of Shein, Temu etc. are so unethical with slave labour, copycat designs and child exploitation, is there any chance that the UK Government could, under Brexit (getting back control) impose punitive tariffs on such imports? Trading Standards perhaps?

That's the only way to curb this. No point in asking the consumer to do that job for them.

But it's all about Trade Agreements, the economy stupid, and the global economy. So where's the control then?

As per upthread, the French have done it, so the Brits could too if the will were there

Do you have any link for the French decision? The reason I ask is that I thought that country would be bound by EU trade agreements/standards and might not be able to unilaterally change that.

But if they have, that's a good move, and I agree - it is something UK could/should consider. Slavery and child exploitation is wrong no matter where it occurs, correct?

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250610-french-senate-to-vote-on-regulating-fast-fashion

OK, I found the link, it seems to be a small handling charge on low value parcels/packages from China. It's not perfect, it's not a tariff or a tax, and parcels can still come in tax free to other EU countries at the moment.

It looks like EU might widen the charge to parcels (to all EU countries) valued at less than €150 (which do not attract any charge currently), I think that's probably the way to go. UK needs to follow I think.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250429-france-to-tax-small-parcels-from-china-amid-tariff-fallout-fears

Cross post!

I do pat myself on the back. You’re part of the problem if you think buying from fast fashion is okay. But you do you.

That poster was referring to other purchases from China, not just fashion goods.

I suppose if we all look at the "stuff" in our homes, the reality is that a good chunk of it comes from China or other non European countries. UK does not manufacture all that much anymore.

So ripping off a small designer? Wow

Your “stuff” perhaps but not mine. Plenty of local sellers on Esty and ethical brands that source their materials sustainable. So that’s quite a lazy assumption. It’s not that hard to do either, you just need to do research which will probably take the same amount of time as scrolling on Shein. It’s a choice.

All those quirky, one off, funky unusual designs are pretty much all stolen from a small designer somewhere.

It goes a bit further than that: the legislation would ban fast fashion advertising and impose sanctions on influencers who promote such products.
Companies will be required to inform customers about the environmental impact of their purchases.

I don’t think they have the brain capacity to understand that as they commented they haven’t smelled child labour before 🤢🤢🤢

France also has some sort of tax credit / discount deal to encourage repairs of clothing and footwear by a registered tradesperson. 7 euros rebate against the cost of repairing a hole in a garment, 8 euros for having your shoes re-soled. They also give similar discounts against the cost of repairing electricals.

It's called "ecogeste" - eco gestures, or steps people can take to minimise impact. I would absolutely support similar here, it's a great idea.

My daughter was introduced to the ‘wonders’ of SHEIN by her private school friends so it’s definitely not just being used by people who financially have no choice.

I think they sell haloes on Shein, you should have a look, might suit you, then you can polish yours every day if you want. 😊

Can you smell child labour?
Can’t say there’s any odour at all coming from the funky £6 skirt I am wearing today, did get plenty of compliments though, and funnily enough…….i hear more and more people are saying “shein, really? I must have a look on there”
maybe it’s just our brain capacity though?
I’ll carry on not understanding, spending my own money on what I choose, you carry on weaving your humanity baskets in your raggedy clothes.

I will and thank myself everyday I’m not morally bankrupt 😇