One of the main pillars of my mission statement is to promote affordable fashion for the every day woman. When a brand comes along that sells trendy items at unbelievably low prices, it piques my interest. Shein is one of those brands. When you browse their website, the prices seem too good to be true. Plus, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer to the question of “Is Shein good quality?” anywhere on the internet. That being said, of all the post requests I receive, a Shein quality review has always been at the top of the list. So, I wanted to set the record straight in this post. Is Shein a good website to buy clothing from? Should you ever trust clothing websites like Shein? I’m answering all your FAQs in today’s post!

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I link to Shein clothing somewhat often. I wanted to take a minute to reiterate that I’ve never worked with Shein in a sponsored capacity, although they have sent me free clothing on multiple occasions. This wrap top is one of those items. You can find full outfit details at the bottom of this post!

1. Is Shein a good website?

Overall, yes. However, you get what you pay for. For example, the wrap top I’m wearing in this post is $13. I ordered it because wrap tops are trending right now, and it’s hard to find similar styles anywhere near the $10-$15 price point. Plus, this top in particular has a 4.5-star review on the Shein website. When I received it in the mail, it came wrinkled in a plastic bag with frayed tassels. After steaming it, I noticed that, like most reviews say, it’s rather short in the front. Most of their clothes seem to be tailored to shorter women, so if you’re anywhere near average height (I’m 5’7″), read the sizing chart before pulling the trigger on an item. Other than that, this top is soft, light, and surprisingly well constructed. I’m not sure how well it would stand up in the washing machine, though. So, when in doubt, hand wash. 

How does other Shein clothing compare? Here are a few of my favorite hits from Shein, including this porcelain print wrap top (keep reading for outfit details!): 

• Long Sleeve Houndstooth Print Dress
• Pink Pleated Maxi Dress
• Matching Porcelain Crop Top and Shorts Set
• Pink Scalloped Hem Shift Dress
• Pleated Green Maxi Skirt

I have unfortunately also received several duds from Shein. You haven’t seen them on my blog because I only post items I genuinely recommend to you guys. The most common culprits? Dresses that were way too short and way too tight, even after following their sizing guide, and tops that felt like they’re made from a shower curtain. In hindsight, if I had paid more close attention to the reviews, I wouldn’t have purchased them in the first place. So, read the reviews. 

2. How can I tell the good Shein from the bad Shein?

On most items, you’ll find a style gallery and handful of user photos. Look through as many photos as you can! If there aren’t any product images, try googling the name of the item you’re considering. Oftentimes, you’ll see bloggers styling an item or you’ll see the same item listen on Amazon or other clothing websites like Shein. Also, avoid being scammed by any potentially misleading reviews by focusing on ratings between 2-4 stars. In my experience, this is where you’ll find the best information about fit, length, and overall quality. 

Buying affordable clothes online is always going to be hit or miss. Thankfully, most online retailers have relatively generous return policies, and Shein is no different. Per their website, Shein gives you 40 days to request a return.

3. What about other clothing websites like Shein?

With the exception of Romwe, I can’t speak to the quality or customer service of other clothing websites like Shein. I can speak to the fact that both Romwe and Shein probably use the same manufacturer, though. You’ll notice a lot of the exact same items on both sites, and my caveats about Shein are identical to my caveats about Romwe. Plus, the outrageous price points are interchangeable. 

I’ve ordered from Romwe twice, I believe, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the items I ordered. However, I hate to sound like a robot, but you get what you pay for. If you order a $10 dress, don’t expect lining, don’t expect patterns to match up perfectly, and don’t expect material you’ll want to lounge in all day long. I’m not saying it’s not possible to find diamonds in the rough; it just shouldn’t be expected when you’re paying so little. 

Here are two items I ordered from Romwe:

• Porcelain Print Pencil Dress (coincidentally available at both Romwe and Shein)
• Cute Face Print Top and Red Lips Pajama Set (coincidentally also available at both Romwe and Shein, although it’s currently sold out at Romwe)

4. What’s the bottom line?

If you do decide to order from Shein, odds are that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And, if you’re not, you have 40 days to request a return. I believe, however, that if you maintain realistic expectations, you probably (emphasis on probably) won’t be disappointed.

For example, I’m a realist, and I know that this porcelain print wrap top only cost $13. As cute as it is, the tassels aren’t perfect, and the wrap top itself takes some adjusting– and maybe even a little double-sided sticky tape now and then. But hey, it’s only $13, and it’s one of my favorite summer tops. Keep reading for head-to-toe outfit details!

Shop the Look: Printed Wrap Top, $13 | Levi 501 High Waist Shirts, $60 | Vera Bradley Mallory Tote, $228 | madden NYC Nude Wedges, $25 (on clearance!) | White Statement Earrings, $10 (available in over two dozen different colors!) | Square Framed Gucci Dupe Sunglasses, $15 (click here for more of the best designer dupes on Amazon)
 

Are there any other questions you’d like to see answered in this Shein quality review? If so, shoot me an email or leave me a comment below. I’m happy to address any concerns or answer any additional customer service, shipping, quality, etc. questions you have!