Why do people say not to order from Shein?

People say not to order from Shein for a variety of reasons related to quality, ethics, environmental impact, health, and privacy. From a quality perspective, critics point out that Shein clothing is ultra-fast fashion made from mostly cheap synthetic fabrics like polyester that may be thin, poorly stitched, inconsistent in sizing, and not durable for long-term wear. From an ethical standpoint, Shein has faced allegations and scrutiny over labor practices, including reports of low wages, long working hours, and poor conditions in supplier factories, though the company denies some claims and says it is improving auditing. Environmentally, the business model of producing thousands of new styles daily at very low prices encourages disposable fashion, leading to textile waste, microplastic pollution from synthetics, and high carbon emissions from shipping. From a health perspective, there have been reports of some products containing higher than allowed levels of chemicals or dyes, prompting concerns about skin irritation. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about data collection in the app. Additionally, designers have accused Shein of copying independent artists designs. Because of these combined concerns about sustainability, labor, and quality, many consumers and activists encourage avoiding or reducing purchases from Shein and choosing more sustainable alternatives.