Is Romwe Legit? an honest [2023] review + must read

Today we’re talking all about the fast fashion website Romwe. I’m sharing my experience shopping from them over the years and letting you know what is worth it. This post is NOT sponsored by Romwe and may contain affiliate links. 

Are you trying to decide if you should order from Romwe? 

You want to be sure they’re a real, reputable, safe site before you give them your credit card information. I know. I’ve been there. 

I ordered clothes from Romwe years ago but placed another order last month so I could see how things have changed before I wrote this review. 

What is Romwe?

Romwe is a fast fashion company based out of China with warehouses and offices in California and around the world. The company was founded in 2010 and since then has grown to operate internationally. At some point they were acquired by the same parent company as Shein, another fast fashion company based in Nanjing, China. Currently the two companies have different CEOs. 

Are Romwe and Shein the same? 

Romwe is owned by the same parent company as Shein, another fashion giant that has been taking the world of fast fashion by storm. 

One of the first things I noticed when I opened my most recent Romwe bag (in 2021) was that 90% of the packaging says Shein on it. 

I went through and checked prices and things were about the same for the same products between the two websites (sometimes less than $1 cheaper on Shein). 

Many of the product images on the two sites are the same and if you search “Romwe” on Shein’s site, you’ll see many products branded as Romwe. Everything I’ve checked on Romwe.com I have been able to find crosslisted on Shein’s site. They have the same product numbers which you can find listed after SKU: under the name of the item. If you copy the product number from Romwe.com and put it into the search bar on Shein.com, you should be able to find the same product listing. This is a great way to compare which site the product is cheaper on (it varies, sometimes a few dollars cheaper on Romwe and sometimes on sale on Shein). 

You can find my full, in depth review of Shein after shopping there for 8+ years here

Is Romwe Legit?

Yes, Romwe is an established fast fashion retailer. When you purchase, you get low quality, fast fashion clothing. This isn’t always a bad thing.

If you’re looking to find that perfect white tee you’ll wear over and over again for the next five years, don’t order from Romwe (but try this favorite from Able). 

If you’re trying to find a trendy blouse to wear for a special event, Romwe might be perfect. 

You get what you pay for. Don’t expect Nordstrom quality pieces but, if you’re set on snagging some of these trendy pieces at unbeatable prices, keep reading for tips to make sure you’re getting the best stuff. 

Is Romwe Safe?

Romwe is an established business that fulfills millions of orders each year. I’ve ordered from them using my credit card and haven’t had any issues but, choosing to pay with Paypal is an excellent added level of protection. 

Romwe Sizing

Years ago, Romwe sizing was all over the place. In the last few years their sizing has gotten a LOT more consistent and I can generally order my regular size in most items. I still recommend reading the reviews to get a better understanding of an items sizing and, as a general rule, I size up for items that are designed to be tight (bodysuits and bodycon dresses). I order my regular size in sweaters, tees, swim, and dresses. 

Romwe Shipping

How long does Romwe take to ship?

Romwe has three different shipping options:

  • economic shipping (estimated to take 14 business days) is $3.99 and free on orders over $19 
  • standard shipping (estimated to take 10-12 business days) is $4.99 and free on orders over $39 
  • express shipping (estimated to take 5-7 business days) is $19.90 and free on orders over $159 
Before you order, note that shipping doesn’t include the processing time required to get your order ready before it is shipped out. This usually takes 4-6 days. When you are looking at shipping options it should so you an estimated arrival date. 
 
It is also worth to note that if you need something ASAP and are willing to go through the process of a return to save on shipping, you can always order $159 worth of product to qualify for free express shipping and then use the free return process on the items you don’t need. 

Where does Romwe ship from?

Romwe has multiple warehouses all over the world  including Belgium, California, New Jersey, China, Dubai and India.

Your order is generally shipped from the closest warehouse, depending on what is in stock. They carry a larger inventory in their China warehouses which is why some items take longer to ship than others. 

Will I keep shopping on Romwe? Would I recommend it? 

Because the items on Romwe are the same as on Shein, I generally stick to shopping on Shein. I don’t plan to order directly from Romwe again anytime soon. Shein has a wider selection, better targeted advertising, and more of my order history. All of that is mostly personal preference and because I have more experience shopping directly on Shein. 

Romwe Reviews

Romwe Quarter-zip Review

Does it count as a Romwe review if it came in Shein packaging? Either way, this is the waffle quarterzip I ordered from Romwe and I am very pleased with it. I love the textured look and the good mid-weight. It isn’t super heavy but it isn’t cheap and flimsy. It runs true to size and I really like the pink color (but there are a couple different ones to choose from). 

Buy the same on on Shein here (50% off for black friday rn!)

Romwe Body Suit Review

Body suits from Romwe/ Shein run SMALL. Go up a full size for a very fitted look and go up two sizes if you don’t want it super tight. That said, both the pink textured bodysuit and the striped mockneck body suit I ordered from Romwe are darling! They are thin without being super sheer. I was worried about the white striped top but it is surprisingly NOT see through. The material on the pink bodysuit is stretchy while the striped one has a lot less give. 

Buy it on Romwe Here

Buy the same on on Shein here

I also ordered this dusty pink ribbed bodysuit for $10. Again, I wish I had sized up from the XS to a S (but I sent it home with my sister who looks great in it). 

This is sold out on ROMWE (who, unlike Shein, remove the product listing when it is no longer available) 

Buy the same pink bodysuit on Shein here

Romwe Sweater Vest Review

How do you feel about the sweater vest trend? I really wanted to try this one out without committing to a $100 sweater vest so I turned to Romwe (well, Shein packaging again on this one). The price point was great. I like the color. It is a little bit more cropped than I would like, especially when wearing it over a white button-down. The material is a mid to lightweight knit. It feels a little cheap but it looks cute on and I love wearing it. 

Buy it on Romwe Here

Buy the same on on Shein here

Romwe Dress Review

I ordered this black dress because of the shape and was surprised at the mixed media of it. The top and bottom are made of two different types of material which I really like. It needed a good steam when it came out of the packaging (I use this steamer from Amazon) but I love how it 

SOLD OUT ON ROMWE

Buy the same on on Shein here

Romwe Sweater Review

My sister tried this on when my order arrived and declared it “the coziest.” It is VERY soft and cozy without being itchy at all. My one complain is the colors do NOT match the image. Looking at it now, it seems like the product image has been edited a bit to mute the colors. In person the colors in the sweater are much more vibrant (BRIGHT orange). 

Buy it on Romwe Here

Buy the same on on Shein here

Romwe Bag Review

I ordered this fun green croc embossed shoulder bag for under $10. With this one it doesn’t feel super expensive but it looks much nicer than it actually is. The hardware doesn’t scream “$5 handbag” and you can easily dress it up. It does come in 7 different colors. 

Buy it on Romwe Here (sold out in the green and listed at $7.50 while it is only $5 on the Shein site) 

Buy the same on on Shein here

Tips for Shopping on Romwe

1. Read the Romwe Reviews:

The BEST thing you can do to improve your experience with Romwe is to read the reviews of items before you purchase. It is helpful not only to see if it has positive reviews, but to check their comments about sizing, quality, material, and color.

You can find out if something is sheer, running small, or oversized from the reviews. It is also helpful to look at the images uploaded and compare those to the product pictures.

I’d caution against ordering something without a review – you can always try it but you won’t be sure what you’re getting until it arrives. Also, don’t pay too much attention to reviews without images. Romwe has been under investigation for manipulating reviews to appear more positive. 

2. Go for trendy clothing pieces (not classics)

Shein is a great place to dip your toe into trends. Thinking about peplum but not wanting to spend $50 for a top at Nordstrom? Just grab a top or two on Shein. Love the pom pom details on everything right now but know you probably won’t want to be wearing it next summer? Grab something from Shein.

The pieces are not designed to hold up to frequent laundering so if you’re looking for the white tee you’re going to wear with all your jeans this summer and then under cardigans all winter, invest in something of higher quality.

That said, there is a HUGE selection of fun, on-trend pieces to choose from in one place at Romwe for a fraction of the price you’d find them somewhere else.

3. Stick with the Romwe sizing measurements

Even if you’re usually an XS and you think the size guide must be wrong because on this top it’s telling you to order a L, believe the sizing guide. And remember, the sizes aren’t consistent across the site so keep your measuring tape handy and check the measurements for each item you add to your cart. It’s also helpful to check Shein’s reviews from customers about sizing.

4. Be ready to steam + hang dry: 

Out of the package pieces are quite wrinkled and unimpressive but they clean up well. I typically hang dry delicate clothing and Romwe pieces are no exception. Be sure to have a steamer on hand (this is my favorite one from Amazon) to freshen up your pieces. 

5. Choose things where fit is less important

I’ve found that fast fashion sites have a hard time getting fit just right. As with shopping online at a new store in general, you’ll be happier picking pieces where fit is less important. Try cozy sweaters, cardigans, loose blouses, and flowy dresses. 

6: Avoid pieces with lots of hardware

Low quality buttons are one of the biggest quality giveaways in fast fashion. You can steam a blouse made of cheap material and still look great in it (before it wrinkles on you) but it is hard to hide lower quality hardware. There are exceptions, but, if you’re trying to increase the chances you’ll get something great from Romwe, go for something with less hardware. Pick the dress with the single button closure at the back rather than the shirt dress. Choose the floral smocked top over the buttondown. 

7. Check Shein.com before you order

With my most recent Romwe purchase, most of the items came in Shein packaging. It is worth checking Shein.com to see if the item is listed as cheaper on the Shein website. Shein also (usually) offers no minimum free shipping within the US on Sundays. Shein may also have more reviews available for the item you’re considering. 

Best Things to Buy From Romwe

The website has so many options but here are a few categories to get your started: 

Romwe FAQ

Where is Romwe Located? 

As of November 2021, Romwe has warehouses in five locations worldwide:California, New Jersey, China, Dubai and Belgium.

Romwe Coupon Code

You can almost always find coupon codes for Romwe online. Start by checking their homepage to see what promotions they’re currently running. 

Is Romwe ethical?

Romwe is not transparent about their manufacturing so it is unclear if they use child labor or what their working conditions are. Shein has been under investigation for similar claims and when I spoke to European based researchers, they said they have found no evidence of child labor (but couldn’t speak to labor conditions). 

Is Romwe a scam?

Romwe will deliver clothes to your door that look mostly like they do in the picture. You’re getting lower quality, fast fashion pieces. 

Are Romwe and Shein the same?

From what I can figure out, Romwe is a subsidiary of Shein. They have items cross listed on both sites and sometimes Romwe items arrive in Shein packaging and vice versa. Order from whichever site is cheapest or has the best sale going on.

Is Romwe ethical?

There are mixed opinions about Romwe’s ethical practices. While they do have a section on their website about corporate social responsibility, there have been concerns raised about their labor practices and environmental impact. It’s up to individual shoppers to decide if they are comfortable purchasing from Romwe.

Does Romwe use child labor?

There have been concerns raised about Romwe’s labor practices, but it’s unclear if they specifically use child labor. However, they have stated on their website that they have a code of conduct that prohibits the use of child labor and that they work with suppliers to ensure ethical practices.

Is Romwe better than Shein?

The answer to this question depends on individual preferences and experiences. Both Romwe and Shein offer a wide range of trendy clothing at affordable prices, but some customers may prefer one brand over the other based on factors such as quality, shipping times, and customer service.

Is Romwe the same as Shein? Are Romwe and Shein the same?

No, Romwe and Shein are not the same company, but they are similar in that they both offer a wide range of trendy clothing and accessories at affordable prices.

How old is Romwe?

Romwe was founded in 2008, so as of 2023, the company is approximately 15 years old.

Is Romwe bad?

The answer to this question depends on individual experiences and perspectives. While Romwe offers trendy clothing at affordable prices, there have been concerns raised about their labor practices and environmental impact.

Is Romwe good quality?

The answer to this question depends on individual experiences and preferences. Some customers have had positive experiences with Romwe’s clothing quality, while others have had issues with sizing, fit, or durability.

Is Romwe or Shein better?

They are basically the same. I would recommend ordering from Shein just because I have more experience with them and have had an easier time with their return processes.

Where does Romwe ship from?

Romwe ships from various locations around the world, including China, the United States, and Europe. The exact shipping location depends on the specific item and the customer’s shipping address.

Why is Romwe so cheap?

Romwe is able to offer clothing at such low prices by prioritizing speed and cost in their manufacturing processes. They often use synthetic fabrics and mass production techniques to keep costs down.

Is Romwe Shein? Is Romwe as bad as Shein?

They are owned by the same company or they sell the same products on each others site. Any issue you have with Shein, I would say the same goes for Romwe.

Is Shein or Romwe better?

They’re the same in terms of quality and pricing (in general) and offer the same products on both sites (I’ve had shein products arrive in romwe packaging and most of these products I ordered from Romwe arrived in Shein packaging).

How do you pronounce Romwe?

Romwe is pronounced “rahm-weh.”

In Summary: 

Romwe is a reputable fast fashion site based in China that delivers lower quality, trendy pieces. They are owned by the same company as Shein and you can usually find all Romwe items cross listed on Shein’s website.  So, depending on who is running promotions and which price is better, consider shopping on Shein instead. 

Stay away from items you need to be workhorses in your closet (like dress pants to wear to the office everyday for the next three years) but if you’re looking to add a few trendy pieces to mix into your wardrobe without breaking the bank, Romwe could be great. 

 

Have you ever ordered from Romwe before? 

What was your experience?

How did it compare to other online fast fashion brands? 

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One Comment

  1. Looking very nice in this outfit. I really loved this outfit. especially that sweater.