When I received my Shein clothes in the post, the exterior initially seemed fine, but turning them inside out revealed a different story. The interior was marred by loose threads, crooked seams, and clumps of tangled yarn.

It’s important to note that this isn’t a critique of the workers who sew these garments. They operate under immense time pressure, reportedly producing hundreds of items per hour, likely in challenging conditions. I have some basic sewing and dressmaking skills, but even so I estimated it would take me at least 4-6 hours to make a single nightdress.

I’m not alone in my observations. Many Shein customers frequently complain about the fabric quality. The materials often feel thin, cheaply made, and are prone to shrinking after just a few washes. This problem is especially common with Shein’s more affordable items, which are typically made from synthetic fabrics.

The workmanship of Shein garments is another common complaint. Customers report loose threads, uneven seams, and buttons falling off after the first wash.

Several factors contribute to these quality issues. One significant factor is the price. Shein is known for its affordable fashion, but this affordability often comes at the cost of quality, with suppliers cutting corners to meet the fast fashion behemoth’s demands for quantity, speed and low cost. Cheaper items are frequently made from synthetic materials, which are less durable than natural fibres.

Given the low prices, these issues aren’t entirely surprising. However, they don’t bode well for the longevity of the garments. Here are some specific problems I encountered:

• Underwear: Loose threads and fraying on the side seams and where the gusset joins the main part of the pants.
• Nightdress: Seams are stitched and then reinforced with an overlock. There are clumps of stitching, and some areas where the overlock is coming away from the fabric.
• Broderie Top: Generally neat, but one shoulder seam is misaligned, preventing it from lying flat, unlike the other side.

In the just over two weeks since I started wearing them, the underpants, nightdress and top haven’t shown significant deterioration.

However, I’m concerned about the mini-backpack, where the fraying has worsened daily. The widely spaced stitches around the drawstring, which bear much of the weight, also seem questionable.

Here’s a look at the mini-backpack after five wears. I’ll continue to photograph the interior regularly to monitor how it holds up:

What I wore on Day 16:

Beige trench coat (thrifted) 
Dazy-Less Women’S V-Neck Drop Shoulder Long Sleeve Sweater, green

SHEIN LUNE Eyelet Embroidery Knot Front Tee, white

Women’s Solid Color Basic Daily Leggings,

3pcs Jewelry Set, necklace

Allover Leaf Graphic Drawstring Backpack

Fashionable Sunglasses

DAZY Women’s Floral Print Sleeveless Round Neck Sleep Dress

3pack Lace Trim No Show Brief, black

Fashionable Color-Block Lingerie Set, bra

3pairs/set Fashionable Women’s Socks, grey