Is Shein Legit? And Other Holiday Shopping Questions

The question comes up regularly in real-life conversations and online forums: “is Shein legit?” The typical answer is, “Yes, but…it’s cheaply made/you get what you pay for/be sure to read the reviews.” We understand why so many people shop at Shein. With the economy still recovering, it’s hard to resist the appeal of trendy, inexpensive clothes and accessories.

With the holidays fast approaching, this question arises even more frequently. People are shopping for festive holiday attire and décor from fast fashion retailers like Shein and TEMU. Their affordable decorations, outfits, and tableware are the first results to populate a Google search, and their unbeatable prices seem like a no-brainer for all things Christmas.

However, there are significant reasons to reconsider where we spend our money during the holidays. In the spirit of giving, spreading joy, and caring for one another, the Passion Lilie team is sharing why we believe choosing alternatives to Shein and TEMU can make this holiday season more meaningful.  

Shein and TEMU have extremely sketchy labor practices.

Just the other day, I was shopping online for holiday throw pillows. With small kids and a *lively* dog at home, it doesn’t make sense for me to spend much on seasonal décor. Google quickly led me to adorable options. As I hovered over the items, I noticed they were sold by TEMU and knew I couldn’t make the purchase. To me, there is no price low enough, no product precious enough, to shop at TEMU or Shein.

Shopping at Shein and TEMU is a massive risk. These brands lack transparency regarding their supply chains and labor practices, meaning there is a high chance that the products we’re buying are made by workers in unsafe conditions, for extremely low wages and few – if any – workers’ rights. Worse still, their operations are proven to use child and forced labor, as little hands are often more skilled at assembling small products or adding intricate details like sequins to an outfit.

Senator Marco Rubio, a leading voice on the US Senate Intelligence Committee, described “slave labor, sweatshops, and trade tricks” as the dirty secrets behind Shein’s success. For a company to sell products at such low costs, it’s clear they're cutting critical expenses in other places – usually at the price of workers’ dignity and safety. I would never be able to look at my cheap (cute) pillow without thinking of the little hands that may have made it. That’s not my idea of holiday joy.

The holiday season is meant to be a time of goodwill toward all, but supporting brands with questionable ethics is directly antithetical to the spirit of compassion and community. Instead, we hope you’ll choose décor items that are fair trade, artisan-made, or produced by companies with ethical labor standards (we have some examples below). These purchases support brands like Passion Lilie that prioritize fair wages, safe working environments, and positive impacts on local communities.

Shein and TEMU are environmental nightmares.

As of Nov. 1, 2024 the US has experienced 24 climate disasters this year, each with losses exceeding $1 billion. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 418 people. The annual average of climate events between 1980 and 2023 was 8.5 events. The average for the past five years, (2019-2023) is 20.4 events. Clearly, we have a problem.

The disposable nature of fast fashion clothing generates a substantial carbon footprint. Just think: making a pair of jeans produces as much greenhouse gas as driving a car more than 80 miles. According to a report by Business Insider, the fashion industry comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions – a figure expected to skyrocket to 60% by 2030. From the cultivation of raw materials to the transportation of finished products, the fashion industry’s carbon footprint is alarmingly high.

Fast fashion retailers churn out products at an incredible rate, but this speed comes at a significant environmental cost. TEMU and Shein, like other fast fashion companies, rely on low-cost materials which are often synthetic, non-biodegradable, and made using environmentally harmful processes.

Plastic-based ornaments, tinsel, and disposable holiday supplies might look beautiful on your mantel, but once the season ends, they often end up in landfills where they can take hundreds of years to decompose. We can cut down on holiday waste and reduce demand for single-use, unsustainable products by shopping for ethically made, sustainable fashion and décor. Check out these gorgeous papier mache ornaments, for example. Each one is handmade with high-quality materials by an artist in India. He uses the profits from his sales to pay his brother’s medical bills. When you shop fair trade, sustainable businesses, you give people a chance to support themselves and their families.

Shein and TEMU products may be legit, but they’re not going to last.

Mass-produced items like clothes and décor from Shein and TEMU are designed to be cheap and trendy, not durable. As a result, these products rarely last beyond one season, creating a cycle of constant purchasing and waste. By investing in high-quality, timeless decorations, we can save money over time and reduce our environmental footprint.

Higher-quality decorations are often handcrafted, made from natural materials, or designed with longevity in mind. You’ll end up using them year after year, and they’ll become part of the memories made in your home.

Stand up for the world you want to live in.

Every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. Choosing to buy from sustainable brands and local artisans shows your support for businesses that are working to change the world. Massive retailers like Shein, TEMU, and Amazon don’t care about the people who work for them or the people who buy from them. Your money is better spent in a small business that celebrates your patronage and works to improve the world around us

Many small businesses, like Passion Lilie, focus on eco-friendly, ethically produced, and handmade holiday décor. Shopping from local artists or fair trade shops often adds personality and good stories to the décor in your home, reflecting the true holiday spirit. Supporting local or sustainable businesses strengthens communities by helping artists, craftspeople, and ethical brands thrive. We hope this shopping experience brings more purpose and joy to you than simply clicking “add to cart” on a fast fashion website.

Shein and TEMU encourage overconsumption.

One of fast fashion’s main strategies is to create a sense of urgency around low prices, encouraging shoppers to “grab it before it’s gone.” We end up buying things we don’t really need, which leads to waste. When it comes to holiday décor, we recommend buying things you love and that you’ll use for years – leading to a simpler, more intentional holiday season. Your holiday vibes will feel personal and lasting rather than generic and disposable.

Create traditions, not waste.

There’s something special about decorating for the holidays with ornaments, wreaths, and table settings that have history and purpose. When we avoid fast fashion brands and choose sustainable holiday décor, we’re choosing to start new traditions. Imagine a warmly decorated home where every decoration holds a memory or the story of a small business or local artisan.

Can my shopping really make a difference for these massive companies?

Our little, individual actions of resistance are important. My rejection of TEMU’s festive pillows won’t topple their empire of cheap dupes built by slave laborers, but as more and more of us stand together on principle, we can make a difference. I will gladly bear slower shipping and be more selective about my holiday décor to build upon the growing movement toward ethical shopping. Each of our small actions can chip away at the armor these massive businesses wield. I refuse to fund child labor and workplace abuses. If nothing else, I’m glad to know I won’t be complicit in their crimes against humanity and our planet.   Does shopping small really matter?

YES! It matters to us, of course. We’re passionate about our products, and nothing makes us happier than when our customers love them too. When you shop at small businesses, your support can make the difference between an empty French Quarter storefront or a thriving neighborhood with art and unique goods. When you shop small, you’re also supporting the community we live in. State and local taxes on your purchases help provide funding for schools, roads, rec centers, and so much more. In these fraught times, one thing we can ALL agree on is the need for better streets in our fair city!

We know shopping at Shein, Temu, and Amazon is easy and quick, so we’ll do our best to make shopping small as enjoyable as possible. You can order online and pick up in-store to save on shipping, we’ll offer deals whenever we can, and we’ll have snacks and drinks on Small Business Saturday so you can connect with our community! 

We hope you’ll come hang out with us and shop during this big shopping weekend and throughout the year. We’re located near some stunning local artists and classic New Orleans restaurants, so make some time to explore and enjoy the area this holiday season.