Why I despise Shein!
Every time I see a “Shein haul” or “Shein favorites” post on my feed, my blood boils.
Shein, temu, romwe, and all of their umbrella “brands” have been around for a very long time (5+ years). We have known about the issues of shein and every other brand for equally as long, and it’s not a new thing. These specific brands are the leading cause of clothing landfill, and they are the worst companies that deal with child labor, unfair wages, and harsh conditions. Compared to brands before them that were bad, like H&M, they are more than 10x worse with their clothing production. H&M looks like a good brand when put next to them, and that is not good at all.
When I see one of these posts, it really makes me angry, because at this point, you know what you’re buying and you know what you’re supporting, but you still choose to spend your money and post about it.
I understand if shein is the only thing that you can afford, but if you’re buying 20 items that are gonna cost $150-200, like most of the posts i see on here, you can absolutely afford to spend your money on something more sustainable, even if it’s a place that’s less bad, like H&M. It’s just so much better.
Now I’m not trying to stir up drama or “come at” any of these creators, but we all need to learn how to do better! you need to think about the people you’re affecting by buying a $6 shirt that is going to end up in a landfill in a few months. Most of the time, it’s going to rip almost immediately or you’re going to realize you’re never going to wear it.
Trust me! I know! I bought a couple shirts from romwe in middle school (6 years ago) because it was cheap, but I never wore them once!! I tried to give them away but they ended up in the landfill. Now I know never to do that again and I leaned my lesson.
If you are still going to choose to support those brands, before you buy something blindly just because it’s cheap, at least think about it a little bit before you “add to cart”. Are you going to wear it more than twice? do you have outfits that you can imagine already? is this a staple item that you can wear with a lot of your other clothes? Can I find this at another store (like target) for a few dollars more and for better quality? These questions are really helpful and can help deter the urge to just spend your money!
Thanks for reading my little rant lol, I hope some of you take this into consideration!! Helping our planet and other people starts with you!!
Fast fashion brands like Shein, Romwe, and Temu have come under fire for their unethical practices, including child labor and environmental harm. These companies contribute significantly to clothing waste, with many items ending up in landfills shortly after purchase. In fact, the fast fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally. Consumers are encouraged to be mindful of their choices and seek out sustainable options. Brands like H&M are highlighted as a less harmful alternative, albeit not perfect, emphasizing the importance of supporting companies with better ethical practices. Shoppers should consider questions before making purchases: Will I wear this more than twice? Is it a staple piece? Can I find a similar item with better quality elsewhere? By being more intentional with spending, we can make a difference not just for ourselves but for the environment and the people involved in the production cycle. Emphasizing sustainability and ethical practices can lead to a more responsible approach to fashion, which is crucial as we face the growing challenges of waste and social inequity in the industry.
Okay… I appreciate your care and concern but some of us only make 7.25/hr….. so… yea…