Is Shein Doing More Harm Than Good?
Shein is an online fast fashion shop based in China and known for cheaply priced apparel. There’s no surprise that Shein’s rise in popularity is in correlation with the pandemic. Three stimulus check later, many Americas are still struggling financially and it takes a toll on how people shop. It’s especially hard shopping when you are BIPOC, or plus-sized, or both. Shein, Forever 21, and Fashion Nova are the holy trinity of giving more diverse, trendy clothing for folxs in those groups.
The issue lies with affluent folx buying out and doing exorbitantly priced hauls. On paper, helping out a small business and promoting them sounds like a good thing (generally it is!!). However, fast fashion typically relies on stealing and exploitation of creators. I understand that there is no form of ethical consumption under capitalism and if you need something in your budget you should not feel bad about the means to get them. Even so, if you have the funds to actually support sustainable and small businesses, it is a disservice to everyone not to do so.
People with more are likely to relinquish their excess and people with less are likely to retain what they have. With people buying exorbitantly priced and cheaply produced fast fashion (items that I can almost guarantee all came ill-fitted or broken) when it is time to sell the items trickle down to thrift shops and website like Poshmart, Depop and eBay. These avenues for affordable shopping are flooded with cheaply made and ill-fitted items. Purchasing for longevity and not for trends , are some of the ways we can be mindful on how we consume.
