10 SHEIN Alternatives for a More Ethical Wardrobe

 
a woman holding a phone with the SHEIN app

SHEIN has exploded in popularity over the last few years thanks to VERY low prices and an endless stream of trendy clothes. But that speed and scale come at a cost: labor exploitation, toxic fabrics, and massive amounts of textile waste. SHEIN represents the extreme of fast fashion (what we now call ULTRA fast fashion) producing thousands of new styles every day, designed to be worn a handful of times before being tossed aside.

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Fashion should not exist like this. Here are 10 SHEIN alternatives that let you enjoy style without the environmental and ethical baggage.

Why We Don’t Shop at SHEIN

SHEIN is built on overproduction. Their business model relies on churning out clothing at extreme speed, with little transparency around who makes their garments or how they’re paid. Investigations have found evidence of unsafe working conditions & poverty wages, while independent testing has uncovered toxic chemicals in some of their products. Add in their reliance on cheap synthetics like polyester and nylon, and you get clothing that not only harms the people making it but also pollutes our planet.

That’s why I choose to support brands and platforms that slow things down and prioritize people, the planet, and true style longevity.

Our Top Picks for Sustainable Alternatives to SHEIN

A woman wearing a secondhand outfit from used clothing site Depop

1. Secondhand Apps

If you love SHEIN for variety, secondhand apps like Depop and ThredUp give you that same endless scroll, but with pre-loved pieces. Buying secondhand extends the life of clothing already in circulation, keeping items out of landfills (more than 80% of what you donate will end up in a landfill). Depop is great for unique, trend-driven finds, while ThredUp makes it easy to filter for affordable everyday basics. Both options are budget-friendly, fun to browse, and let you change up your style without contributing to the waste of fast fashion.

woman wearing a sustainable floral dress from seamsfriendly, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

2. SeamsFriendly

For shoppers who love finding feminine & unique pieces, SeamsFriendly is a beautiful alternative. Their clothing is made-to-order in India by skilled artisans, meaning every piece is created ethically & with care. They focus on natural fabrics like cotton and linen, with timeless silhouettes that feel as wearable as SHEIN’s styles, just built to last! Their size-inclusive, customizable designs mean you can order pieces made exactly for you, something fast fashion can never deliver.

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woman wearing an ethical plaid bra from parade, a sustainable alternative to SHEIN

3. Parade

If you shop SHEIN for trendy intimates or loungewear, Parade has you covered in a sustainable way. Known for its colorful, size-inclusive designs, Parade creates underwear and basics from recycled and certified eco-friendly fabrics. Their bold styles feel as playful as what you’d find on SHEIN, but with transparency around materials and ethical production. They also focus heavily on inclusivity, with campaigns and products that celebrate all bodies.

woman wearing a floral organic dress from sustainable brand No Nasties, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

4. No Nasties

If you’re drawn to SHEIN’s affordable cotton basics, No Nasties is a planet-friendly swap. Everything is made from 100% organic, Fairtrade-certified cotton (or recycled fabrics), sewn in a fully transparent supply chain. Their designs are colorful, comfortable, and versatile, similar to SHEIN’s casual pieces but without the environmental harm. Plus, No Nasties invests in reforestation, offsetting more carbon than they emit. It’s affordable fashion with a conscience.

5. Yes Friends

Yes Friends proves you can make an affordable t-shirt without exploiting workers. Their tees start at just $11, made from organic cotton in Fair Trade-certified factories where workers earn living wages. They've expanped into hoodies, dresses, and other basics too. If you shop SHEIN for low-cost wardrobe staples, Yes Friends shows that fair pricing and fair labor can go hand in hand.

woman wearing organic clothing from sustainable brand honest basics, an ethical alternative to H&M

6. Honest Basics

Honest Basics is a great ethical alternative to SHEIN for you everyday basics. Their products include t-shirts, leggings, and underwear, all made ethically from GOTS-certified organic cotton. They keep prices low to make sustainability accessible, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune on a good piece of clothing. It’s simple, minimal clothing done right.

two women wearing cute organic fall dresses from sustainable brand Pact, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

7. Pact

Pact is another excellent alternative, if you shop basics at SHEIN. Their clothing is made from organic cotton in Fair Trade-certified factories, with a wide range of affordable pieces for both men & women. From leggings and tanks to cozy dresses and pajamas, Pact delivers comfort, style, and responsibility. They also prioritize carbon-neutral shipping, making them a great option for eco-conscious shoppers.

woman wearing a cute printed dress from sustainable brand nobody's child, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

8. Nobody's Child

For trendy-like clothing, Nobody’s Child offers a more sustainable option. Based in the UK, they create dresses, jumpsuits, sweaters & more using responsibly sourced fabrics like organic cotton & LENZING™ ECOVERO™. Their playful designs are perfect for shoppers who want the same “new outfit” excitement as SHEIN but without the fast fashion fallout.

woman wearing a cozy green sustainable sweatshirt from happy earth, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

9. Happy Earth

This wonderful brand, Happy Earth, combines casual comfort with climate action. Their collection of tees, sweatshirts, & activewear is made from organic and recycled fabrics, and each purchase contributes to environmental initiatives like planting trees or removing trash from ecosystems. If you shop SHEIN for casual, comfy styles, Happy Earth gives you the same vibe but with a meaningful impact attached to every item.

woman wearing rented clothing from Nuuly, an ethical alternative to SHEIN

10. Clothing Rentals

If you love the constant newness of SHEIN, clothing rental is an awesome sustainable alternative. Platforms like Nuuly let you borrow trendy, stylish pieces for a monthly fee, wear them as much as you like, then return them. This keeps your wardrobe feeling fresh while not having to spend the same amount of money on something new. Instead of piling up cheap, disposable clothes, you get variety without the long-term impact.

The Takeaway: Why SHEIN Should be Avoided

SHEIN operates on the premise that we need new clothes every day, and the brand would not exist without the culture of overconsumption. It wasn’t created to provide clothing for those with limited budgets; rather, its purpose is to encourage customers to buy large quantities of clothing each month. Reportedly, the average SHEIN customer spends about $100 monthly on new clothes.

Fortunately, there are better ways to refresh your wardrobe without negatively impacting people & the planet. Options like secondhand shopping, clothing rentals, and supporting sustainable brands can provide the style and variety you desire…just without the guilt associated with fast fashion.

 
Natalie CostelloComment