Have you ever wondered if Shein is legit? 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 (available in two colors and under $15!)

I have been ordering things off of Shein.com for over 6 years now. Overall, the items on the site are hit or miss. But, over the years, there are a few tips I’ve found that havemade 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 lasted for years. And then there was this dress, which looked nothing like the pictures and just didn’t fit well at all.

And then there’s this top floral top I’m wearing in today’s post, that 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 toes into trends. Thinking about peplum but not want to spend $50 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 a bit 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 board so keep your measuring tape handy and check the measurements for each item you add to your cart. It’s also helpful to check the reviews about sizing.

 

Best things to buy from Shein

• Blouses
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Anything Trendy
• Anything where fit is less important (chunky sweaters, cardigans, and loose blouses have always been a big win for me!)

madewell jeans // cage sandals // shein blouse (available in two colors and under $15!)

 

P.S. I should have ironed or steamed this shirt before putting it on (or at least before photographing it) but forgive me? We snapped these at Mom 2.0 in California before I hopped on a flight back to New England.