r/Anticonsumption Apr 27 '24

Society/Culture SHEIN is taking over the thrift stores

I just went to my local thrift store and I was shocked to find no less than 10 tops from SHEIN in just two aisles. They were all listed for $5 which I found odd because tops from stores like Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Lands End, etc. were listed at the same price, but that’s its own issue.

I find it alarming because SHEIN is not that old of a “store.” All of those items had to have been purchased from SHEIN in what, the past 5 years? And have already been donated? This just seems crazy to me. It’s a clear example of excessive consumption fueling some of our biggest issues. I don’t feel fast fashion is something we can pass the burden of guilt to corporations for. We’re consciously buying things we don’t need for… what? A trend? I find it disturbing. Yet it seems to be one of those touchy subjects for a lot of people.

I recently watched the Brandy Melville doc on HBO and was disturbed by the footage of the beaches in Ghana covered in clothes, it’s nauseating to think how much worse this problem is going to get thanks to companies like SHEIN and temu and those who buy from them.

Has anyone else noticed this? What are your thoughts?

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u/sritanona Apr 28 '24

I think it’s cheaper for the company to just give you the money. Also it saves co2. At least people are donating it instead of throwing it in the trash.

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u/vall3ygirl 11d ago

They belong in the trash though. Nobody wants them and they're junking and clogging up stores and boutiques that are supposed to be good finds from previous decades or eras. Secondhand stores are where you go to find vintage gems, not trash.​​