My Honest Review of SHEIN: What I Learned After Multiple Orders

SHEIN Sizing Basics

SHEIN is notorious for its inconsistent sizing, and my experience has been pretty much what I expected based on what I’d heard before ordering.

You have to check the sizing on everything before you buy—no exceptions. Even then, the size charts can be confusing because they’re not always clear on exactly what measurements they’re referencing. I wish the sizing was more straightforward. For example, on the US website, you’d expect to see US sizing, but you often have to dig around to understand what size you’re actually buying.

There have been plenty of times when I started shopping on SHEIN, only to give up because the process was so stressful. I didn’t want to end up with a bunch of items that didn’t fit.

With nearly every order I’ve placed, there’s always been one or two items that didn’t fit quite right. Usually, the issue is something being too tight, and it’s often localized to one spot—typically around the chest or armpit area, but not elsewhere.

While I believe SHEIN allows returns, I’ve always just kept the items. At some point, I’ll probably donate the pieces that didn’t fit me.

SHEIN Shipping: My Experience

I’ve heard plenty of complaints about SHEIN’s shipping, but I can’t say I’ve had any major issues. From my experience with three different orders, things have arrived fairly quickly. This isn’t like Wish, where you could be waiting months. I’ve never waited longer than just under four weeks for an order to arrive.

Most of my SHEIN orders have come from various locations in the U.S., such as New York or California, and those tend to arrive faster. Occasionally, orders come from China, and those can take a bit longer, but overall, most of my items have arrived in less than two weeks.

One thing I appreciate is that SHEIN splits shipments into multiple packages if it helps speed up the delivery process.

Additionally, on one occasion when shipping was slower than usual, SHEIN gave me 500 points (equivalent to $5 off an order) without me even asking. I thought this was a nice gesture, especially since I hadn’t been concerned about the delay at the time.

SHEIN Clothing Quality

When it comes to SHEIN, the quality can be hit or miss. Some items are fantastic, while others leave much to be desired. I’ve received several pieces I absolutely loved, but I’ve also had a few that felt like they were made from confusing or thin fabrics.

For example, I once received a dress with both a confusing design and thin fabric. I shared it a few months ago in a post about self-care. It was a beautiful dress, but the tie was oddly placed, making it tricky to figure out. The material wasn’t see-through but felt a bit flimsy.

On the flip side, some of my favorite pieces include a cute palm print dress I showed a few weeks ago, the pearl-embellished top from earlier this year, and the red striped dress I’m sharing with you today.

That said, there are times when SHEIN seems to use scratchy or cheap fabrics.

To avoid disappointment, it’s always a good idea to dig through the reviews and check out photos of others styling the item. Also, make sure to read the material description for each piece to get a better understanding of what to expect.

SHEIN Ethical Dilemmas

We can’t ignore the elephant in the room.

Let me put on my “mom” hat for a moment.

There’s a reason SHEIN’s prices are so low.

When you shop at places like SHEIN, it’s hard to know much about the conditions in the factories producing their products. It’s likely that they keep their prices low by paying workers less than satisfactory wages—wages that many of us in the U.S. would never accept.

Yes, the prices are attractive, but the ethics behind them might not be. That said, this isn’t just a SHEIN issue. Take a moment to consider the cost of your smartphone. Do you think it really costs $500 to make with just a modest profit margin? Many industries worldwide operate on a business model where the goal is to drive production costs as low as possible.

This is something worth keeping in mind when you’re picking up that top or dress from SHEIN. There are people working hard behind the scenes, and sometimes, they pay the price for those savings.

My Verdict: SHEIN (Basically) Sells Instagram Clothes

In my opinion, Instagram clothes are the kind of outfits that look great for photos or occasional wear but aren’t made to last. I’m not saying SHEIN sells nothing of quality—some items are made from nice fabrics. However, they also sell pieces like the patterned skirt I mentioned in my Erin Condren post last week, where the design doesn’t even line up on both sides.

My Tips for Shopping on SHEIN

Here are my top tips for shopping on SHEIN:

1. Test it out during a sale so you can save some money while trying out the site.
2. Read the size charts as carefully as you can, even though they can be confusing. Make your best guess.
3. Check the items on real people if possible. Sometimes you’ll have to take a chance, but try to look at reviews and photos of people wearing the items first.
4. Know that you get what you pay for.
5. Limit your SHEIN shopping to occasional purchases and invest in quality pieces from other brands that will last longer.
6. Give yourself time. Shopping on SHEIN can be overwhelming, so don’t expect a quick trip. Take your time browsing the site.

I hope this article has been helpful as you consider shopping on SHEIN.