SHEIN: Affordable fashion, but at what cost?
I’ve been thinking a lot about SHEIN lately. It’s one of those brands that’s everywhere - especially if you’re into fashion but don’t have a massive budget. I’ll be honest: I’ve bought from them a lot of times. You can get loads for your money, and, in my experience, some of the clothes are actually pretty good quality considering how cheap they are.
But, like a lot of people, I can’t ignore the controversy. There’s always news about how their clothes are made, concerns about workers’ rights, and the environmental impact of fast fashion in general. It doesn’t sit right with me. I want to spend my money wisely, but I don’t want to support something that feels so exploitative either.
It’s a proper dilemma. On one hand, I can’t afford to shop at more ethical places all the time - most of us can’t, especially with the cost of living being what it is right now. SHEIN makes fashion accessible, and that’s not a bad thing in itself. But the way it’s done just seems wrong. It feels like being forced to choose between affordable clothes and doing the right thing.
So, what do we actually do? I’ve realised there’s no perfect answer, but I’ve started to do a few things differently. I try to buy less and really think about whether I need something before adding it to my basket. I look after my clothes so they last longer. If I can, I’ll check second-hand apps or swap with mates. None of this is going to change the world overnight, but I figure if more of us do it, it might push brands to do better.
I also try to talk about these issues more. I think loads of people just don’t realise what goes on behind the scenes, or they feel powerless to do anything about it. But talking, posting, sharing articles - these things do make a difference. The more noise we make, the more likely companies are to listen (or at least worry about their image enough to change).
At the end of the day, it shouldn’t be up to us as individuals to fix a broken system, but we can still play a part. If we keep raising awareness, make more conscious choices where we can, and push for more transparency from these brands, maybe things will start to shift. It’s not about being perfect, just trying to do a bit better.
Would love to hear how other people feel about SHEIN and fast fashion in general - do you still shop there, or have you switched to other options? How do you balance cost and ethics? Let’s chat.
