The Girlies Are No Longer Shopping at Places like Shein

By: Sophia Johnette

Fashion trends come and go rapidly, and fast fashion acts as a quick, affordable way of getting our latest trend into our closets. However, do you know how bad fast fashion is, not just for the environment, but for human beings as well? I get that sometimes we cannot afford to shop at places that are not fast fashion, but I hope to encourage you to think before you pay.

Human Health

Did you know that chemicals are in your clothes? There’s about 3,500 chemicals used, 10% being hazardous to our health, and 5% hazardous for the environment?

Specifically looking at Shein and Temu, they found carcinogenic substances that are hundreds of times over what is legal. Carcinogens increase your risk of developing cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Environment

Here are some fast facts about how detrimental fast fashion can be to our environment, which directly impacts our quality of life.

• The chemical run-off from these factories can pollute our water sources. In fact, about 20% of our wastewater is from these dyed textiles.

• Fast fashion brands use synthetic, non-biodegradable fibres. For instance, when you wash synthetic textiles, microplastics come as a result. About 35% of microplastics end up in the ocean [from washing synthetics]. Microplastics are harmful for marine life and for human health.

• Fast fashion leads to enormous waste that ends up in our landfills. When we’re buying for the trend that quickly dies out, the corpses of the former trend end up burned or in a landfill.

What About Shein?

Shein is one of the largest and most popular companies worldwide, representing more than ⅓ of the United States fast fashion market. This site is popular because it caters to the latest trend, quickly turning over old trends for new ones.

Shein’s company emits about 6.3 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide each year. The vast majority of their products are made from toxic chemical dyes, synthetic fibres, and plastic.

Shein and Human Rights

Shein has also been condemned for their working conditions. It’s been reported that their employees have worked 75-hour shifts with little time off. The workshops are also unsafe, lack safety protocols, and have reportedly failed to pay their employees properly.

Another Shein issue that is very important to consider before shopping is the potential connection to human rights issues. In short, there’s a Muslim minority group called the Uyghur people. They have been put into detention camps and have reportedly been subjected to forced labor. One of the forced labor productions includes cotton, which could be in the Shein products. The Guardian puts it as so: “The online fashion Seller Shein has refused to reassure British MPs that its products do not include cotton produced in the Xinjiang region of China, which has been linked to forced Uyghur labor, prompting one MP to accuse its representative of ‘willful ignorance’.”

Solutions—Affordable and Stylish

I enjoy shopping at second-hand stores. They’re affordable, cute, and good for the environment. I’ve also gotten into shopping on Etsy, which supports small businesses around the world. Check out this embroidered sweater from Ukraine and this wrap blouse!

If you want to shop at popular and more expensive stores, consider building a capsule wardrobe.

If sustainable and inclusive fashion is your passion, check out this OURMUUZ interview with a Chicago Fashion Designer!