I am guilty. I have a fair few items from Shein and other fast fashion stores in my closet. And when I say a fair few, it’s more than I’m proud to admit. I see why there is so much hype for fast fashion. It’s cute, super in-style, and oh-so-cheap. A lot of the time, high quality, responsibly made products aren’t necessarily in everyone’s budget, and when stores like Shein go to the EXTREMES of cheap-ness, it can be hard to say no. You end up browsing and browsing, and suddenly you have 30 items in your cart. But, it makes you wonder: is Shein a bad company?
There honestly has to be something up when things are THAT cheap. Who knows how bad things really are behind the scenes, but there are a fair few horrific details we are aware of about fast fashion.
First off, that addictiveness doesn’t just come from cheap prices– although those definitely help. Fast fashion websites like Shein are designed to keep you scrolling, looking for more and more and more to add to your cart. Now, these sites operate in a way similar to the addictiveness of social media. If you open fast fashion sites, oftentimes, you’re bombarded with coupons and deals that sweeten your shopping experience and encourage you to buy more. I mean, if you’re familiar with Shein, their app even gives incentives for “checking in” daily. Who should be looking at an online shopping app every day? No one. But when an app gives you points that you can use toward purchase just for looking at more items, there’s no mistaking what the app designers really wanted out of that: you to buy more crap.
Not to mention, yes, a lot of what these fast fashion sites sell is crap. Okay, I know we all strike gold sometimes and end up finding a new favorite, but a lot of what I’ve ordered from Shein and places like it have turned out to be, well, unsurprisingly bad. I’m not sure how many shirts there are on Shein that would actually hide someone’s nipples if they didn’t want to wear a bra, let’s put it that way. But these poor textiles aren’t only disappointing for the consumer when they get their haul in the mail, but the over-production and constant production of cheap styles is HORRIBLE for the environment.
I won’t get into the specifics of the environmental damages the fast fashion industry causes, but if you’re interested in learning more, I recommend checking out this video. Though with shipping, cheap textiles and overproduction of soon to be “out” styles, landfills are overflowing with unwanted, old, or ripped clothing items.
On top of the environmental problems that come with fast fashion stores like Shein, there are also worlds of human rights problems that arise with these companies– and they do as much as they can to hide that from the consumer. The reality is, though, that these items are made in countries where the company can get away with hiring cheap labor in horrible conditions. This video is super informative on the human rights violations fast fashion brands are guilty of.
Yup, there really is no winning with fast fashion. If you are caught in the cycle of scrolling and clicking “add to cart” like I was, you don’t have to sacrifice your style if you choose to stop supporting fast fashion companies. In fact, there are a lot of much cooler (and much more ethical) ways to be fashionable for cheap. Thrifting is a no-brainer! It’s inexpensive, second-hand, and I’ve found some of my FAVORITE clothing items from thrift stores. Honestly, the gratification is so much better than online shopping when I strike gold in a thrift store. If you’re looking for the best thrift stores in your area, check out this article!
Another super fun alternative to fast fashion is updating the clothes that are already in your closet to current styles or personalizing items in a way that give them a new life. For ideas of ways to update your landfill-bound fast fashion items, give this article a read!
Finally, if you are buying new clothes, I would recommend supporting brands that are dedicated to environmentalism and sourcing and producing its materials responsibly. While this will generally make items more expensive, they usually will be more timeless and better quality– so it’ll most likely stick around in your closet for a while.
Is Shein a bad company? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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The e-commerce brand, which is reliant on digital influencer marketing to generate the majority of its advertising, has been found to severely underpaid workers, exploit and plagiarize the designs of emerging creatives, has reportedly sold Nazi symbols and produces garments that contain an unsafe level of toxic ...
What is the ethical dilemma of Shein? ›
The environmental impact of SHEIN is one of the primary issues. SHEIN manufactures a tonne of apparel as a fast-fashion company, much of it is produced from synthetic materials that do not biodegrade. Also, the business's manufacturing and shipping methods could pollute the air and water.
Is it morally wrong to buy from Shein? ›
Is it wrong to buy from Shein? Yes, it is wrong for consumers who prioritize sustainability, ethical labor practices, and responsible consumption to buy from Shein. Supporting brands with transparent and ethical practices might align better with their values.
How bad is Shein compared to other fast fashion? ›
SHEIN is the worst contributor to fast fashion, trumping their other fast fashion rivals in mass by launching over 9000 new products every day producing over *30 B-BILLION dollars a year in disposable clothes. With all this said, doesn't it make you think - how is this possible?
What is the controversy behind Shein? ›
Artists have filed a racketeering lawsuit accusing it of stealing designs. A congressional report says Shein abuses a loophole in import tax laws. Lawmakers have called for an investigation into alleged use of forced labor.
What is Shein's main problem? ›
Major environmental issues associated with fast fashion brands like SHEIN, like water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive textile waste and production of tons of carbon dioxide every year, are only a few consequences of SHEIN's unsustainable practices.
Is Shein unethical in 2024? ›
Shein's unethical labor practices have long been a point of contention among critics and labor rights advocates. Reports and investigations have surfaced alleging poor working conditions, low wages, long hours and even exploitation of labor in its supply chain.
Is Shein ok to buy from? ›
However, despite Shein offering a secure shopping experience, it is surrounded by controversy that may make you weigh your purchasing choices. It raises ethical concerns over business practices and labor conditions, while its fast fashion model sparks debate over sustainability and the environmental impact.
Why is Shein so cheap? ›
Outsourcing labor
That's why the clothes cost so little.” Most fast-fashion companies don't own the factories that manufacture their clothes, Thomas noted. Shein works with a network of some 6,000 clothing factories in China, TIME reported.
How much does Shein pay their workers? ›
Workers in Shein factories on average earn between 6,000 and 10,000 Chinese yuan per month, or about $831 to $1,385, according to a Tuesday report from human rights and environmental advocacy organization Public Eye.
Shein has been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding its manufacturing processes. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if workers are being treated fairly or if sustainable practices are being used.
Who owns Shein? ›
Who owns Shein? Shein is owned by parent company Nanjing Lingtian Information Technology, although the company's ownership is frequently branded a mystery. It remains a private company, with four major shareholders so far: JAFCO Asia, IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital China, and Tiger Global Management.
What is Shein's biggest competitor? ›
Top 10 SHEIN competitors
- Wish.
- Poshmark.
- Verishop.
- La Redoute.
- Forever 21.
- PrettyLittleThing.
- Peacebird.
- Alibaba.com.
In October 2022, Chinese fast-fashion conglomerate Shein once again found itself facing allegations of unethical business practices, just another on their long laundry list of wrongdoings that include copying small businesses, allegations of modern slavery and violating labour laws.
Why did Shein get banned? ›
At the same time, Shein and Temu have been accused by American lawmakers of failing to ensure their supply chains comply with the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) passed last June to penalize Beijing's systematic rights abuses against the Muslim minority group in the western Xinjiang region.
Why are people boycotting Shein? ›
Shein, a global fast-fashion giant based in China, faces a boycott campaign amid allegations of Uyghur forced labor.
What is Shein's ethical code of conduct? ›
SHEIN strictly prohibits the use of forced labor and child labor, and in accordance with our SHEIN Responsible Sourcing (SRS) Policy, will immediately terminate any suppliers found with such violations.
What are the legal issues with Shein? ›
According to media reports, the Chinese retailer has been accused of breaching its own legal settlements as it reportedly continues to offer “counterfeit” items that it had agreed to put a stop to, building on the persistent allegations and claims of repeat transgressions that have mounted over the years.
What is the Shein workers scandal? ›
Workers in some factories supplying Shein are still working 75-hour weeks, according to an investigation by Public Eye, a Swiss human rights advocacy group that first highlighted the alleged abuse back in 2021.
What challenges does Shein face? ›
Despite its consumer popularity, Shein has been criticized by labor and environmental activists for exploiting workers, plagiarizing designers, selling garments containing hazardous chemicals, and contributing to the climate crisis. Public companies have far more stringent reporting requirements than private companies.
