Looking for a real, honest SHEIN review before you purchase all the cute (but possibly too good to be true?) stuff in your shopping cart? Happy to help.
Also happy to help with a discount code: use “1ASHLEY15” for 15% off your order.
Once upon a time, SHEIN (formerly known as SheInside) was the butt of every fast fashion joke. It was a step below Forever 21, it was the brand you’d assume inspired the memes that said “what you order vs. what you get.”
But suddenly, you’ve probably started seeing more and more SHEIN on your Instagram or Pinterest feeds (or in your friend’s closets). And the clothes aren’t just flimsy basics, they’re super cute, on-trend pieces ranging from strappy bikinis to punny graphic tanks. At the same time, brands like Forever 21 seem to be flailing and closing more and more stores.
So, is SHEIN doing something right? Or are they just paying tons of influencers to post their stuff? Keep reading for my honest SHEIN review.
What I Bought:
I selected five items from SHEIN. I was a bit worried about sizing and quality, so I chose some bikinis and shirts that looked like they would be adjustable based on how I tied them, plus a few more trendy things that I didn’t necessarily see myself wearing more than once.
4 pack Chinese dragon mesh cut-out triangle bikini swimsuit, $19.99
Tie backless snakeskin pattern halter top, $5
O-ring zip back fuzzy chain cami crop top, $12
Tie front cutout detail shirred back bardot dress, $18
4 pack mesh cutout triangle thong bikini swimsuit, $15
All over graphic high waisted bikini swimsuit, $12
Contrast Heart Lace Print Pajamas, $9
The Good:
- Believe it or not, everything I ordered actually fit me—which usually never happens when brands don’t stock XS
- The quality of all the items I bought was super solid for the price, I would say about the same quality as Forever 21
- Shipping was super fast! It appears that they have warehouses in LA, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for overseas packages anymore
- SHEIN also sells a lot of their items on Amazon, which might make the shipping + returns process simpler (although prices are generally higher). You can shop the last swimsuit on Amazon here.
- Return shipping is free on your first order! They accept returns within 45 days.
The Bad:
- One of my items, the red cover up, ended up bleeding red dye onto my white bikini when I wore it out (probably because I was sweating). That was a major bummer 🙁
- ICYMI, if you’re buying clothes for this cheap, there’s probably something sketchy going on behind the scenes (at the very least, it’s not great for our environment). While people are definitely suspicious as to how SHEIN keeps their clothing so cheap, there have not been any confirmed reports of unethical labor practices.
- There is another scandal that went down with SHEIN, they came under fire for selling a necklace with a symbol that resembled a swastika. This likely happened because in Asia, specifically China (where SHEIN is based), some people wear this ancient Buddhist symbol that originally meant “conducive to well-being” without associating it with the now negative nazi association that we see it as in the Western world.
The Good to Know:
- Like many Asian brands, SHEIN sizes run small and short (which is probably why size S worked for me whereas I normally wear XS/XXS in US companies).
Use my code 1ASHLEY15 for 15% off your order!
I hope this honest SHEIN review was helpful to you! Feel free to let me know any questions you may have in the comments section.
Want to read more of my honest reviews? Check these out:
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