I’m on day 30 of the 90-day Shein challenge, and I’ve managed to wear both the nightdress and the shoes 30 times. Given that I only have one nightdress and one pair of shoes, this isn’t too surprising. However, it’s a significant achievement since sustainable fashion advocates often cite 30 wears as the minimum number required to justify buying a new piece of clothing.

The “30 Wear Challenge” encourages careful consideration of how often you’ll wear a new garment before purchasing it. Committing to wearing each item at least 30 times helps reduce environmental impact while still allowing you to enjoy fashion. Most people aren’t ready to give up shopping entirely, and this method offers a way to shop more sustainably. Livia Firth, founder of Eco-Age and executive producer of The True Cost, created this concept to inspire people to reconsider their buying habits by asking, “Will I wear this at least 30 times?”

Following the 30 Wear Rule means you’re making more thoughtful choices about your wardrobe. If you can genuinely see yourself wearing an item 30 times, then it’s a worthwhile purchase. However, reaching this number of wears can be challenging. Wearing something once a week takes about seven and a half months to hit 30 wears. Over a few years, this target is more achievable, which underscores the importance of selecting quality clothing. Unfortunately, many fast fashion pieces aren’t durable enough to last this long, so it’s essential to factor in quality when shopping.

A survey of 2,000 women in the UK revealed they typically wore a piece of clothing only seven times. The average UK household owns over £4,000 worth of clothes, with about 30% remaining unused.

So, how did the shoes and nightdress fare after 30 wears?

The shoes are still wearable, though a bit shabbier, greyer, and less fragrant than when they first arrived. The heel is starting to wear down, the soles feel thinner, and a few spots look like they might wear through soon.

The nightdress, however, looks almost the same as when it arrived, which is surprising. Given Shein’s reputation for clothing that doesn’t last long, I didn’t expect it to hold up well. Made of very thin cotton with a colorful print, it has a basic construction with many overlocked seams.

I’ve washed it six to ten times, always on sunny, breezy days so it would dry by evening, using a synthetics wash at 30°C. The print hasn’t faded, as I thought it might, and the only noticeable change is a few loose threads along some seams.

Everything I wore on Day 30 of the 90 days of Shein challenge:

DAZY Solid Drop Shoulder Tee, white

Dazy-Less Drawstring Waist Cargo Wide Leg Denim Pants Baggy Jeans,

2024 New Style College Wind Black & White Outdoor Sports Shoes for Women

Allover Leaf Graphic Drawstring Backpack

DAZY Women’s Floral Print Sleeveless Round Neck Sleep Dress,

Lace Flower Pattern Thin Underwear Set, bra

3pairs/set Fashionable Women’s Socks, £2.00