Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.
SHEIN is bad news for people and the planet as a notorious ultra fast fashion brand. We’ve rounded up our favourite “Good” and “Great” alternatives to SHEIN below.
Not quite “the beauty of fashion”
Founded in 2008, SHEIN has become one of the fastest growing online fast fashion retailers. The brand, which upholds the philosophy that “everyone can enjoy the beauty of fashion”, sells clothes at a ridiculously low price point and of very dubious quality. SHEIN is no stranger to greenwashing and has come under fire several times in the last few years. In 2023, the brand received a lot of backlash after it took a group of influencers on a trip to one of its factories and innovation centres in China. Videos posted by the influencers of them touring the SHEIN facilities, praising the ultra fast fashion brand’s practices, and dismissing the child labour allegations as mere rumours caused uproar online. “The controversy stems from criticism that SHEIN has received as investigative reporting revealed the company’s use of quick, cheap labour violates Chinese labour laws and negatively impacts the environment,” reported Forbes.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that SHEIN gets our lowest rating of “We Avoid”. We found no evidence the brand has introduced initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, to empower its workers, or to pay a living wage. SHEIN keeps promoting overconsumption, at a rate that is inherently harmful to both people and the planet, and truly unsustainable.
Today we’ve listed a few of our favourite more sustainable alternatives to SHEIN: these “Good” and “Great” brands respect the planet, people, and animals while creating on-trend styles. Here are the top rated brands you’ll love more than SHEIN.
