Beyond Shein: Affordable, Sustainable Alternatives

At any given moment, ultra fast fashion brand Shein's website offers approximately 600,000 items for sale, with an average price of $10 per item.

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It's no surprise that in July 2024, the company shipped about 900,000 packages to the U.S. daily. Also, 44% of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. purchase at least one item from Shein monthly.

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But this massive scale and low price point come with a high cost to the garment workers and the environment.

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The Environmental and Social Cost of Shein's Clothes

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In 2023, Shein’s emissions doubled from the previous year and stood at 16.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to what four coal power plants spew out in a year.

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A 2024 investigation also found out that factory workers at Shein’s suppliers regularly work 75-hour weeks. This is after the company pledged to improve working conditions within its supply chain.

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This is the price we pay for ultra-cheap clothes. But finding sustainable alternatives that match these price points is undeniably challenging. So what can we realistically do in this situation?

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Also read: How to Quit Fast Fashion for Good

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Sustainable Shein Alternatives

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We need a fresh perspective. It's time to reimagine fashion and our approach to clothing. Here's a simple idea: rather than comparing costs, consider the cost per wear.

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For example, a $100 sustainable piece worn 50 times costs $2 per wear, while a $10 Shein top worn twice costs $5 per wear.

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Another alternative is to do a clothing swap with friends or neighbors. This will extend the lifespan of garments and reduce textile waste without you spending a dime.

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Consider buying secondhand clothes. This allows you to snag high-quality garments at reasonable prices. Sometimes, these pre-loved items can even match Shein's prices.

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Also read: 10 Best Places to Sell Clothes Online

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If you're leaning toward buying new items, here are some of our favorite sustainable brands:

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For Days

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For Days is revolutionizing the fashion industry with its innovative Take Back Bag system, collecting and repurposing unwanted clothing to promote circularity and sustainability in fashion.

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More about For Days→

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Organic Basics

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Organic Basics, a Copenhagen-based sustainable fashion brand, offers minimalist essentials made from sustainable materials in responsible European factories.

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More about Organic Basics→

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