Have you ever wondered if Shein is legit? Looking for Shein reviews? Today I’m talking about my six years of experience shopping on Shein and givings you all the tips on how to get things that are awesome. This post is not sponsored, but it may contain affiliate links.
madewell jeans // cage sandals // shein blouse
7 Years of Shein reviews
I have been ordering things off of Shein.com for over 7 years now. This China-based website has been taking the fashion world by storm and continues to grow in popularity. Overall, the items on the site are hit or miss. But, over the years, there are a few tips I’ve found that have made my last two years of purchases almost always great.
There was the first oversized knit cardigan I ordered (and styled in this post) that was an incredible quality, especially given the price, and is still going strong in my closet. And then there was this dress, which looked nothing like the pictures and just didn’t fit well at all.
And then there’s the top floral top I’m wearing in today’s post. I actually borrowed from my sister’s closet and was so surprised to find out she’d ordered it off of Shein! It comes in a cute powder blue that is only $9 right now and is something I’d expect to pick up at Loft or maybe J.Crew Factory.
Is Shein Legit?
I know, a darling blouse for $12 when an almost identical one sells at J.Crew for $70 seems too good to be true. It is and it isn’t.
When it comes to Shein, you are paying for low quality, fast fashion. This isn’t always a bad thing.
Shein takes popular, trendy higher-end items and makes a lower quality version of them for a much lower price point.
I love Shein for pieces that don’t have to be workhorses in my closet (cute summer blouses I may or may not want to wear again next summer, midi skirts I only wear every once in awhile to church, etc). For a dress you want to wear twice a week, all summer, for the next four years, ordering from Shein isn’t going to be your best bet. But for a top to wear to brunch with your girlfriends? It could be perfect.
Shein Shipping
When I originally started ordering from Shein years ago, things took almost a month to arrive because each order shipped directly from China. Now, they have a distribution plant here in the United States so many things ship MUCH faster. On average, things arrive on my doorstep within a week or two.
If you’re ordering from Shein for an important event, definitely give yourself plenty of time for the item to arrive.
They do now offer free shipping on orders over $49 and free returns. Sometimes I see them running promotions for free shipping with no minimums as well.
Shein Sizing Guide
Shein sizing has gotten more consistent over the years but they are still an Asian based clothing company, which I’ve found to mean their items run small and short.
When it comes to sizing, the best thing you can do is read the reviews and pay attention to the specific measurements. A lot of the clothing pieces has waist, bust, and length measurements and I recommend taking your own measurements before ordering.
The sizing isn’t consistent across items. For example, if you were a small in one blouse, you aren’t necessarily a small in another blouse. This is where it is important to pay attention to the sizing guides and read the reviews.
Tips for Shopping on Shein
Read the Shein Reviews:
The BEST thing you can do to improve your experience with Shein 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.
Go for trendy 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 Shein for a fraction of the price you’d find them somewhere else.
Stick with the Shein 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.
Best things to buy from Shein
- Blouses
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Coats (especially fun colors/ patterns that don’t have to be your warmest piece)
- Anything Trendy
- Anything where fit is less important (chunky sweaters, cardigans, and loose blouses have always been a big win for me!)
here are a few favorites that have great reviews:
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This post was perfect timing! I’ve never ordered from Shein before, but I’ve been so tempted over the years, and a lot more tempted this summer. Have you ever tried a bathing suit from them? Or would you stick to more well known shops for that?
I haven’t tried a bathing suit from them – I’d look at the reviews. I know sometimes these sites take pictures from other sites and their suits don’t always look like the pictures…but if the reviews are great then I’d try it!
I have ordered many bathing suits from there. It is great quality but it only last 1 or 2 summers. Its not very long lasting.
Thanks so much for your honest review!
Recently ordered from shein and the blouses were not as they appeared on the website. I am having a hard time trying to return them using their website info. given won’t respond. Any suggestions?
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that.
Is it still within the 60 day return window? I found these steps that walk you through the return process online:
https://help.shein.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115003854151-How-do-I-return-an-item-
Best,
Elisabeth
Going to the website to see how to return the items states that the web page DOESN’T exist. I just purchased my dress. There’s no telephone number, and no address. This is an fraudulent business. I’m going to decline the credit card payment!!!!!
Oh that is frustrating! I’ve placed and received many orders from Shein over the years – you can live chat with them on their website at this link: https://us.shein.com/contact-us.html
You can submit a ticket and they will get back to you. https://us.shein.com/How-to-Submit-Ticket-a-487.html or google “shein submit a ticket”. They closed my refund for something that I shipped and I submitted a ticket and got my refund back in a couple days. Good shopping but I’m not sure how ethical SHEIN is 🙁
Hi! This post is super informative. I just wanna ask about their modes of payment. They offer COD (with COD fee), PAYPAL and CC and Debit card (both with 10% discount). I am tempted to pay thru my credit card to be able to get the 10% discount but am so scared my orders won’t arrive. Have you ever tried paying thru Paypal or CC? Did your oders arrive? Thank you in advance!
Yes, I have paid through cc and my order arrived!
I am still waiting on a sweater ordered in November and it is January! Way too long for shipping. Last I looked it is still in China!
I want to order a bathing suit.
I’m afraid it’s coming from China and will take over a month to receive in the US.
How true is this??
Hi Bonnie,
All Shein products used to ship directly from china so they would take a couple of weeks to arrive. Now they have distribution centers here in the US and you usually receive things more quickly. Shipping details on their website say this:
Shein Shipping:
FREE for orders over US$49.00 otherwise US$3.99 with 6-8 business days
Express FREE for orders over US$99.00 otherwise US$12.90 with 2-4 business days
Does that help? Standard shipping should have your suit to you in a week and a half.
It only takes 2 weeks at the MOST to come in. one time i ordered and it only came in 3 days!!
Shein ans Boigii are the only 2 sites that I buy from online. Never a problem and always satisfied
Where’d you get this awesome jacket?
This jacket we haggled for at the tanneries in Morocco a few years ago – my favorite souvenir I think we’ve ever gotten from a trip (except maybe the rug from the same visit). I’ve heard good things about this similar moto jacket: http://bit.ly/2OVpEXO
I am waiting for a refund does it take awhile? No one is answering their customer support number. Thanks!
Shein is a good company. I’ve ordered from them in the past, never had an issue. However, I’m learning that these low fashion costs often come at a cost to the workers. Always try & educate yourself on workers’ conditions.
Where are these clothes made? Is it China and are we safe to order from there given the carnovirus????
oh that is a great question – i just read a few articles and it looks like US health officials say the risk is very low. similar viruses can only live for a few hours on the surface of an object and it takes much longer than that for a package to arrive (info from here: https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/27/can-i-get-coronavirus-from-a-package-being-delivered-from-china/) — the CDC website says it is spreading person to person: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
hope that helps!
I want to get a romper. Normally, I would wear a small or medium, depending on the site. According to Shien, though, I should get a XL. Which size do you suggest I go with? The reviews state ‘true to size’ but I am still a little worried. Thank you.
How long does it take for an order to process? Mines been processing for 5 days.
How long does it take for an order to be processed? Mines been processing for 5 days.
I just received my order today, after 8 business days, and I am happy to say that each of the summer bedtime short sets are really nice and are true to size!! All 6 of them!! They are overly cute and the material is so soft with easy-to-launder instructions. I am in love with Shein and have since placed another order!! 😊
Hello
My niece ordered from Shein, she is 18! She had me look at cute clothes, tops, baggy jeans. Everything looks so nice, except I am 64!!!! Basically some things I like would have to be a large or extra large. Are these clothes just for young people? Thank you
vary good
Thank you so much Elisabeth for this wonderful insight on Shein. I have been considering on making a purchase on this website and now since I have read your post, I think I will definitely take the plunge and order a few items. Shein has so many wonderful items to pick from and now I can’t wait to see what else I can find on their website. Also I have a question for you. What shipping method does Shein normally use for their items? Is it mostly USPS, UPS or Fedex? Thank you again and I hope that you have an extraordinary day.
I was wondering if you knew if there is a difference between shipment of clothing and shipment of accessories (phone cases necklaces etc.) from shein. like if they ship from different places in the world or if one takes longer to arrive. would be helpful with a reply, thank u! 🙂