Shopping online, particularly on platforms like Shein, can be overwhelming, even for the cyber-savvy. Shein offers fashionable clothes at low prices, but this raises doubts about its credibility and safety.
Our purpose for writing this article is to address these doubts directly: Is Shein legit? Is it safe to order from Shein?
We’ll discuss these questions to help potential Shein shoppers (who’re thinking about buying from Shein) understand the pros and cons better and make informed decisions.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the details—
SHEIN is an online retailer that sells fashionable clothing, accessories, and beauty products at prices that are considered reasonable or inexpensive.
This Chinese-based company quickly gained popularity globally for its vast and rapidly changing product selection. It utilizes a direct-to-consumer model that allows it to introduce new styles to the market in no real-time.
Shein has a wide range of products that appeal to different styles, making it popular with younger people because it matches their preferences.
Overall, SHEIN is well-known for quickly following fashion trends and offering affordable products inspired by high-end designers.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2008 | Founded in 2008 by Chris Xu in Nanjing, China, Shein—originally named SheInside, began as a small women’s clothing retailer with a belief that fashion should be accessible to everyone. |
| 2012 | Chris Xu changed his business from selling wedding dresses to providing fashionable clothing at affordable prices by purchasing Sheinside.com. |
| 2015 | Over the years, Sheinside.com expanded its product range and rebranded as Shein in 2015, with a focus on international markets, including the United States, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. |
| 2020 | Shein, as a brand, gained significant visibility on TikTok in 2020. It also emerged as a major player in the global fast-fashion industry, with a valuation exceeding $15 billion and annual revenues estimated to be over $10 billion. |
| 2024 | Currently, Shein operates in the United States, Spain, France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Australia, and the Middle East, with warehouses strategically placed worldwide. |
Overall, Shein’s history reflects a transformative journey from a local retailer to a major player in the online fast-fashion industry.
Yes, SHEIN is a legit website. It is globally recognized as a popular online fast-fashion retailer that sells a wide range of clothing, accessories, and other fashion items. Shein has expanded its reach and gained popularity for its affordable prices and trendy products.
However, its legitimacy doesn’t exempt it from controversies, including ethical concerns regarding labor practices and environmental impact. But, despite the criticisms, Shein remains operational, and its legitimacy is affirmed by its widespread customer base.
Overall, like any online platform, it is important to exercise caution while using SHEIN, especially when providing personal and financial information.
Multiple red flags about the site have created doubts in people’s minds about whether Shein is a scam. So, it’s worth mentioning that Shein is not typically considered a scam. It is a legitimate business operating as an online fashion retailer.
However, there might be occasional scams or fraudulent activities not directly related to the company. Thus, being a customer, you should exercise caution with third-party sellers and verify the authenticity of the website to make informed decisions. This not only ensures a safe shopping experience but also reduces the risk of falling victim to scams.
Shein is inexpensive, and it can offer such low prices for several reasons. Let’s take a look at them—
Finally, Shein heavily invests in technology and automation to streamline processes, which helps in saving costs, and ultimately, passing on these savings to customers.
If you’re wondering which items to shop from Shein, the answer varies based on your preferences and needs. However, here are some popular categories and items that many shoppers find valuable—
Shein is known for its vast selection of trendy and fashionable clothing. This includes tops, bottoms, blouses, Skirts, Dresses, Outwears and Coats that follow current fashion trends.
Shein offers a variety of accessories such as jewellery, sunglasses, scarves, and hats, at affordable prices. So, these can be options to enhance and diversify your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Shein provides a wide range of stylish Swimsuits options at budget-friendly prices. They are popular among many customers for their trendy designs and suitability for different body types.
Shein has a collection of affordable activewear, including leggings, sports bras, and workout tops. While quality can vary, some customers appreciate the value for money in this category.
Shein also often releases seasonal and holiday-themed collections to offer festive clothing that is usually affordable and can be a fun way to celebrate special occasions.
Shein provides a range of basic clothing items, such as plain t-shirts, jeans, and casual wear. These essentials are often budget-friendly and can be mixed and matched with other pieces.
Last but not least, Shein also offers a variety of shoes, including sandals, sneakers, and boots. While the quality may not match high-end brands, the affordable prices definitely make them attractive for those looking for trendy footwear options.
So, whether you’re looking for trendy fashion pieces, accessories, swimwear, activewear, seasonal items, basic wardrobe staples, or footwear, Shein offers a diverse range of options to suit every style and budget.
When shopping on the platform, it’s important to read customer reviews, check sizing charts, and be aware of Shein’s return policy. However, there’s more to it. So, here we’ve explained the top safety tips to shop securely on SHEIN—
So, if you follow these tips, you can enjoy a safe shopping experience on Shein platform. Even reputable platforms like Facebook Marketplace end up hosting scams such as zell, making it evident that as a user, you need to shop safely.
To help you gain insight into users’ experiences with Shein, we’ve compiled data from the platform’s TrustPilot review page.
| Rating | Percentage of Reviews |
| 1-star | 29% |
| 2-star | 4% |
| 3-star | 4% |
| 4-star | 9% |
| 5-star | 54% |
This breakdown of the ratings provided by customers, may ultimately provide answers to many of the questions that come to your mind, like—
In addition to this, I have personally asked those who’re using Shein or have used it at least once about their reviews. You should definitely read them; it might help you decide whether you should use the Shein website for shopping or not.
I love shopping on Shein! The variety of styles is amazing, and I always find trendy pieces at unbeatable prices. The shipping is surprisingly fast, and the quality of most items is great for the price. Shein is my go-to for staying stylish without breaking the bank!
Shein has some really cute clothes, and I’ve found some favorites. However, the sizing can be hit or miss. Make sure to check the size charts and read reviews for specific items. Some things fit perfectly, while others were a bit off. Overall, it’s worth it for the affordable fashion, but be cautious with sizing.
I’ve ordered from Shein a few times, and while the prices are low, I’ve been disappointed with the quality of some items. A few pieces didn’t hold up well after a few washes. Not only that, the return process was a bit frustrating too. Plus, there are instances where items that I ordered never arrived, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Shein is my go-to for fashion! Whether I want something casual or dressy, I always find the perfect outfit. They have a great variety of styles and sizes, and the website is easy to use. Plus, the discounts and promotions make shopping even better. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves fashion and wants to save money!
While Shein offers stylish clothes at unbeatable prices, my experience with customer service was not great. I had an issue with a delivery, and communication was slow. So, my point is that their clothes were fantastic, but they need to improve their support system.
That’s all! Shopping on platforms like Shein demands caution.
While it certainly offers affordability and convenience, doubts still arise about its reliability and safety.
However, by staying informed and following safe shopping practices, shoppers can make smarter decisions and enjoy a positive experience on Shein.
Shein, an online fast-fashion store, has faced ethical concerns over environmental sustainability, labor practices, and transparency. So, due to the fact that the company faced criticism for its use of low-cost labor, environmental impact, and lack of transparency in its supply chain, its ethical practices were a subject of debate and concern.
Shein offers products of varying quality, and customer opinions may vary accordingly. While some find the quality satisfactory for the price, others may have a contrasting take on it. So, it’s recommended to read product reviews and feedback.
Shipping times with Shein vary depending on your location and the shipping method you’ve chosen. Typically, Standard shipping usually takes 7-15 business days, while expedited shipping may arrive within 3-7 business days.
While Shein is generally safe, it’s important to be cautious about sizing since it can vary. Also, carefully read product descriptions, check customer reviews, and understand the return policy.
Yes, Shein uses security measures to protect online transactions. However, still, make sure that you use secure payment methods, such as credit cards or trusted online payment systems, to enhance the security of your financial information.
Some customers have reported issues such as sizing discrepancies, delayed deliveries, or quality concerns. However, these are not necessarily scams, but rather common challenges with online shopping. Apart from these issues, while Shein is a legitimate company, scammers may attempt to create fake websites or phishing emails.
The reliability of Shein can vary based on individual experiences. While many customers have had good experiences with Shein, there have also been complaints by others about shipping delays, sizing issues, and customer service. So, it’s best to read reviews, charts, and understand the return policy before making a purchase.
Yes, Shein is generally considered safe for online shoppingas it uses encryption protocols to ensure the security of transactions and personal data.
To safely use Shein, ensure to use secure payment methods, verify seller ratings, and carefully read product descriptions and reviews.
