4 Reasons Why Gen Z Are Buying Shein Products Despite the Criticism
Gen Z teens are exposed to a lot of fast fashion and Shein is grabbing their attention. But are their products worth the buck you pay?
Gen Z teens are constantly exposed to a lot of choices online—including fast fashion. One of the brands making waves among Gen Z is Shein, which gained a lot of attention in the past few years. On Instagram alone, it has close to 25 million followers. Celebrities and influencers such as Riverdale‘s Madelaine Petsch even collaborated with the Chinese-based group with a selected set of clothes.
But despite Shein’s popularity, they’re a target for ethical issues. In fact, some sectors question their business model and marketing strategies. However, even with these issues, many young ones still buy.
We listed down four reasons why Shein seems to be a big hit with the Gen Z market.
Social media advertising
Gen Zers are avid social media users and Shein makes use of social media as one of their marketing tools. A lot of influencers showcase the clothes they buy at Shein through Instagram and TikTok. These platforms have been a huge help for the brand in marketing their products—because of the free advertising they get from those who buy.
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They are in with the trends
Admit it or not, we all have been in that stage where we want whatever is in or trendy. Shein has been able to deliver that to its consumers. Sometimes, at half the price. They even give out discounts just to encourage you to get that latest blouse or suit your fave celebrities wore to an event.
Shein offers Gen Z teens everything with just a click
Like its big rivals, Shein has gained success through e-retail. They have everything from formal to casual, from summer wear to winter collections—all at affordable prices.
Moreover, they cater to the needs of the market and do not just stick to one specific body type. Aside from their main collection, they have branched out to other categories. These include MOTF OFFICIAL, their premium line, SHEIN CURVE, which is their plus-sized collection, and She Glam, their makeup line. Additionally, they launched a #SheinAtHome collection, featuring home decors, bedding sets, and even kitchenware.
The quality of clothes is as close to those of other retail stores
It’s noticeable that Shein products are not made with superior materials and craftsmanship. But it is comparable to many products that other retailers sell—just at a more affordable price. Hence, you get what you pay for.
But even with affordability, we should remind our kids about the effects
Although we allow our kids to experiment with clothes, we also have to teach them the value of saving, as well as the economic and environmental impact involved. Fashion has a constant cycle. What may be in today will be out tomorrow and be buried in a pile of unused clothes.
Studies have shown that fashion is one of the biggest contributors to the environmental problem. Piles of clothes unsold or with bad material are disposed of immediately. We as parents should remind and teach our kids about recycling clothes, reusing them, and being practical. After all, you don’t need the latest top just to fit in or just because your favorite star is wearing it. It’s all about having inner confidence!
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