There’s a lot of conversation online about fast fashion, and honestly, I understand why people are becoming more intentional about what they buy. I am too. But I also think there’s nuance to it.
Some of my most-worn clothing pieces over the last few years have actually come from SHEIN. Not everything is amazing quality, and I definitely don’t keep every order, but I also think people would be surprised by how many pieces I’ve reworn over and over again.
I have sweaters, dresses, and jumpsuits from SHEIN that I’ve owned for years and worn 10+ times easily. Especially the items with thicker fabrics or more structured materials.
My brown sweater, in particular, gets pulled back out constantly. It’s one of those easy pieces I throw on without thinking and somehow still love every year.
What I Personally Buy From SHEIN
Over time, I’ve figured out what categories tend to work well for me and which ones usually don’t.
The things I consistently have good luck with are:
- rompers
- jumpsuits
- dresses
- matching two-piece outfits
- sweaters
- sports bras
- workout tops
- pajamas
- hair clips and accessories
- casual tops
- denim shorts
I especially love one-piece outfits because they make getting dressed so easy. A romper, dress, or jumpsuit instantly looks styled without needing to think too hard about it. Then you can completely change the vibe with shoes, jewelry, or a bag.
I’ve worn SHEIN outfits to:
- holiday parties
- dinners
- vendor events
- everyday errands
- vacations
- casual weekends
- just normal mom life
And honestly, some of my most complimented outfits have been affordable pieces styled well.
I tried to find all of hte pieces I’ve pictured here and I was able to find most of them. You can see them all here, plus more that I’m interested in.
The Things I Skip
There are definitely categories I personally avoid now after enough trial and error.
Leggings
I still haven’t found leggings from SHEIN that I truly love. I’m picky about compression, fabric feel, and how they hold up after washing.
The affordable leggings I consistently reach for are actually from Amazon instead.
Jeans
Jeans have been very hit or miss for me. Unless they’re specifically stretchy, I’ve mostly stopped ordering denim from SHEIN because the fit can be too inconsistent. Here’s some that I like by Universal Thread that are very affordable.
Underwear
Personally, I skip underwear entirely. They are not returnable and the sizes can be way off. Here’s a few styles I like on Amazon.
Shoes
Shoes are another category where I’ve had mixed luck. I’ve gotten a couple pairs of sandals that worked for a season or vacation, but overall they tend to feel pretty flimsy and the fit usually isn’t great for me.
So at this point, I mostly stick to clothing and accessories.
Not Everything Works And That’s Fine
I definitely don’t keep everything I order.
Sometimes the fabric feels thinner than expected. Sometimes the cut just doesn’t flatter me. Sometimes something looks amazing online and weird in person. That’s honestly just part of ordering affordable clothing online.
But one reason I’m still okay continuing to order from SHEIN is because the returns process has been genuinely easy for me.
Returns are usually free, the app walks you through everything step-by-step, and I can typically just repackage the items, use the QR code or label option, and drop them off. If returns were complicated or expensive, I probably wouldn’t continue shopping there.
Because the process is simple, I don’t mind taking a chance on a few items to find the pieces that end up becoming staples.
I’ve Even Bought A Few Things For My Kids
I’ve picked up a few kids items here and there too. Mostly cute seasonal outfits or inexpensive pieces they’ll probably outgrow quickly anyway.
One Thing People Don’t Always Realize
I’ve noticed a surprising number of items sold on Amazon that look extremely similar to pieces I’ve seen on SHEIN, except priced significantly higher.
Sometimes faster shipping is worth the extra cost. But if I’m planning ahead and can wait a week or two for delivery, I usually think it’s worth checking SHEIN first.
Final Thoughts
I don’t really shop with the mindset of constantly buying disposable clothing. I try to buy pieces I’ll genuinely wear repeatedly and style multiple ways.
Some SHEIN purchases have absolutely been misses. But some have become pieces I’ve reached for over and over for years.
And honestly, when something is affordable, fits your lifestyle, and actually gets worn constantly, I think that matters too.
If you haven’t tried SHEIN yet, sign up with my link! For a limited time they have 60% off for new users.
Carefully curated pieces, some shared through affiliate links — which means I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you 🤍
