Day 50: I’m cringing at how I look in the Shein clothes I DIDN’t include in my capsule

8/13/2024

Day 50: I’m cringing at how I look in the Shein clothes I DIDN’t include in my capsule

I spent a lot of time trying to put together the perfect tiny capsule of Shein clothes when preparing for this challenge, in which I’m wearing only 11 items of clothing plus nightwear and underwear for 90 days. The aim is to test of whether fast fashion really is disposable.

When the items arrived there were some things I was pleased with — I really like the wide-leg denim cargo pants — and others I decided I could live with.

But there were also a few that looked so bad I had to send them back. I don’t like doing returns since I found out that a lot of what gets sent back gets trashed, but on the other hand I didn’t see the point in keeping something that for sure would go to landfill at the end of the challenge. Better to send back and give it a chance to go to another shopper. (At least, I hope that’s true…)

So without further ado — I’ve waited way too long to write this post — here are the pieces that DIDN’T work for me.

SHEIN Mulvari Women’s Plaid Shirt Dress

I liked the concept of this dress. It looked cool and breezy, nice for the summer. I thought I could wear it multiple ways — loose, belted or undone as a summer coat. However, when it arrived it just didn’t hang well on me, it looked too boxy. On top of that, there was a large polyester content and it felt kind of crispy.

SHEIN LUNE Women’s Belted Flap Design Padded Coat

Oh my, I really wanted to like this. That dark green is one of my favourite colours. Unfortunately, the shape was too weird. It was a drop sleeve, which worked for the white cotton t-shirt also in the capsule, but not for a padded jacket that had a bulky ridge part-way down the arm. Not really surprising given the price, but the fabric felt incredibly cheap, a bit like it was made out of one a bin bag — and not one of the sturdy green garden waste ones.

Solid Color Flared Loose Casual Pants With Side Slit

These trousers were made out of very flimsy fabric that showed every lump and bump — seriously, you better not have cellulite if you want to wear them, or forget to shave your legs. The other issue is that the waistband was very high. I could have worn it around my armpits if I’d been so inclined.

SHEIN LUNE Half Button Raglan Sleeve Kangaroo Pocket Sweatshirt

I’m not even trying this on in the picture because it smelt so terrible when I got it out the packet. I don’t know what chemicals went into it but I feel incredibly sorry for the people working in the factory that produced it.