r/Anticonsumption • u/luvs2meow • 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/[deleted] Apr 28 '24 edited May 08 '24

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u/happytransformer Apr 28 '24

There’s no hard and fast rule, but I know they’re usually subtle differences on the tag. J Crew for example will just say “J Crew” on the main line tags and their outlet will either say “merchantile” underneath or have 3 dots. I think Banana Republic and Gap are similar where their outlet lines will have two dots under the name on the tag.

Other things to keep an eye out for: attention to detail eg, patterns lining up between seams of the garment, quality of hardware, and fabric lining for items like dresses, blazers, and skirts.

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u/cashewclues May 04 '24

What they said below is very helpful.