First Piece of True Fast Fashion

I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I now own (and have worn) a piece a clothing from Shein. I have heard just so many bad things about this retailer that it honestly makes me want to cringe to think that I am now repping an item of theirs, but if it's any consolation the piece I have was secondhand.

A couple days after Christmas this past year, my mother, sister and I went to a local thrift store by my mother's to check out some of the discounted seasonal items. To my disappointment they didn't have a fitting room, which made me skeptical to look at clothing but I was already so I figured what the heck. After a bit of searching I found a silky satin shift skirt with a black on black leopard print. I was so excited that it looked to be about my size. I've been really eyeing satin and silk midi skirts recently as I've seen them styled all over with sweaters this season. And if you know me, I absolutely love most animal prints. Imagine my dismay when I looked at the tag and it read Shein.

Shein, I would say, is probably one of the worst offenders of fast fashion nowadays. They produce with practices that I am absolutely against-- including using child labor and unfair working conditions (see this The Cut Article about conditions). Investigators have documented 16+ hour working conditions and harsh compensation penalties (up to 67%!!!) for minor mistakes in production. Additionally, Shein is completely focused on a fast fashion model. Clothes are mass produced in a very short period of time, with low cost materials and cheap construction. While items may sell for on $10 or so a piece, they only last a few wears. It's completely wasteful especially when you consider that synthetic fabrics take forever to break down in landfills when compared to natural materials.

I know what you are thinking, if Shein is so terrible, why would I purchase something of theirs?

To be honest, it wasn't a hard decision. I spent about the same amount on this item as it was probably listed for brand new, but the money went to the local thrift store (which has a charitable purpose and hires equitably) as opposed to a mega-conglomerate that implements the bad practices. Next, I am giving more life to an item that would otherwise likely be trashed. I have the time and resources to properly care for item and to restore it if a thread comes loose, or the zipper need repairing, etc., to extend its life even more. And lastly, it's a piece that aesthetically is something that I really love.

I've come to the conclusion that while I wouldn't buy this kind of item brand new knowing what I know, I don't mind buying it secondhand.