The Dark Truth of SHEIN: TikTok’s TOXIC Obsession EXPOSED | Downfall

[@PettyUniversity]

Yes friends, I will be covering the Colleen Ballinger situation and I have spoken with many of the victims. Video coming very soon. Follow me on Instagram so I can be a real influencer lol: bit.ly/3uXM1xC > Go to historicmail.com/swoop and check out with swoop. Get 10% off on their Father’s Day Sale, and surprise your Dad with this timeless gift. Thanks to Historic Mail for sponsoring this video! > Get your new Petty University Dropout apparel here! : bit.ly/PettyUniversity

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Will do! You're a real one girl!😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@sarasgonzalezg]

Yeees!!! The internet needs your take on the whole situation...

[@kenterminateddq5311]

A new SWOOP video! SWOOP! SWOOP!

[@AKbaby89]

Thank you, Swoop. I found Adam from his 2020 video, and I had NO CLUE people didn't believe him. The last week or so have been so hard to watch, I just want Adam to be okay. ❤

[@Jaclynantes1]

i cant wait for this video, i have unfortunately let my girls watch this toxic trash hatch of a yt'er years ago and thankfully they aged out of her grasp but after hearing the resent news i can not shake the guilt i feel thinking maybe i exposed my girls to an awful influencer under the guise of kid friendly content. seeing her current stage show and recently coming into the know of her hot 5 stage act i am appalled to say the least. i keep an open back and forth between me and my girls when it comes to sensitive subjects and i attribute this to my girls quick ditching of her influential channel and not being wrapped up in the wave of her popularity at that time.

[@AmethystEyes]

So many thrift stores are getting terrible clothing from Shein. I go to thrift stores to get good second hand clothes and specifically to avoid places like Shein. It just feels like it is seeping in to places that are unwanted.

[@nihilismistheonlyway4680]

good for you. I shop 2nd hand too. I think fast fashions are cheap, synthetic, and will overflow in landfills if we're not careful.

[@natasamedic8633]

You will find more and more of that unfortunately - when I go to 2nd hand store I find more and more of Zara H&M and similar brands - all polyester crap - 5 years ago I could find vintage Gucci and other high fashion brands but it’s getting to the point it is not worth the fuss

[@ionia2376]

Yesss, and as well I feel genuinely scared seeing it there because a large percentage is toxic

[@TheWildSquirrel]

I've noticed this the last time I shopped for clothes. It was like every few items I looked at were from Shein. It's disappointing honestly.

[@heatherhopman4779]

2nd hand shopper fellow here. My line of work ,glassblower, requires natural fiber clothing in case you catch yourself on fire. I use to be able to find lots of options but now more and more synthetic fiber is creeping in. I hate it.

[@slothdance2020]

I miss the days when fabric was affordable and it was the economical choice to make your own clothing. It costs so much it is almost impossible to afford to make your own clothing anymore.

[@EvaLoVerde]

Yes! Scraps of fabric go for 7€ up in my area. I tell myself that I'm investing in forever pieces perfectly constructed for me, and it's worth paying more for it

[@sharimeline3077]

I just saw a late 1950's ad for a sewing machine that was talking about how much more economical it is to sew your own clothes. If only that was still true! I used to sew my own clothes in the 70's and 80's, and I would say the price was about equal with something you could buy, at that time. Now forget it, you will be spending a lot more to sew. It's ridiculous.

[@Somegirl811]

So true

[@alex-hg8pn]

for what it’s worth: thrift store bed sheets make EXCELLENT fabric. Where I live, they’re only a couple bucks a piece. It helps that I really enjoy “granny” patterns and florals lmao

[@ninaschust3694]

Clothes were always expensive. That is why slavery was so crucial to get cheaper cloth for the masses. Talk to your elders.

[@tiffanychan2303]

props to you for reaching out to a chinese tiktoker and learning the pronunciation of names before making this video - such a thoughtful and respectful gesture that most content creators would've overlooked!!

[@user-hl1me9un7p]

I was just coming down to the comments to say that same thing!! She is really so attentive

[@palasiksivain]

was about to say this same thing! very often american youtubers who don't speak any other language than english just won't bother to even try to learn the proper way of pronouncing non-english names, extending from east asian to european names.

[@annadough5309]

yess! i’ve gotten a bit sick of creators just saying “i hope i’m saying that right” about names in their videos. especially when it is clear the creator took time to research and prepare their video and even MORE SO when the person is the SUBJECT of the video.

[@pygmymouselemurbutt]

totally agree with you. but then she totally mispronounces the name of the news organization Reuters. 🤦🏻‍♀️ no hate though, I love her docs and her care and diligence in reporting things with humanity and compassion while still not shying away from hard questions.

[@TheYokaiRadio]

I worked for an optometrist office & one of the women lived in China for many yrs so id often ask her how to pronounce names😅

[@hedmeddig]

I literally told my mom (who shops a lot on Shein) about all of this. Her answer? "They're so big, if they were doing bad stuff, people would be doing something about it!" She's does not get how large businesses operate

[@thepitpatrol]

In defense of your mom, they all do this. Do you think the place that makes the phone you're using is any better?

[@melissajacobs5822]

Wait til she finds out about Chiquita & Nestle 👀

[@thepitpatrol]

@@melissajacobs5822 she won't lol.

[@cocochill1464]

Wait tell you find out it’s every big company don’t be trying to throw your mama under the bus because guess what I’m gonna still be shopping at shein I’m poor

[@cocochill1464]

And you didn’t know how they operate untell you saw this video like 😂

[@swatson19821]

Amazon is definitely a "legal" sweatshop. When I worked there, I worked with several undocumented immigrants and one poor girl told me she had no idea how old she is because she has no papers at all. She told me she thought she was 15 or 16. Because of the nature of the job, 18 was the minimum age to work there. I asked her how she was hired and she said the company told her it wasn't important to have documentation as long as she was willingly to work. This is not the only person that I wondered about age. Amazon is shady.

[@justanotherrando3477]

What??? Holy crap

[@AhNee]

Not. Surprised. In. The. Least.

[@allysonbeaulieu7351]

report them to the nlrb! geezussss

[@nancyholohan5363]

Is there any public information about what you claim? I’m not saying it’s not true but we’re strangers on the internet so we should question it. Thanks so much.

[@AhNee]

@@nancyholohan5363 Google works, and it's free for everyone.

[@feliciah6140]

It is so weird to me because a few years ago people saw Shein the same way they viewed Wish, cheap, sketchy, you don't really know what you're gonna get. And now they have become so so popular? They really upped their marketing

[@jossykerflossy915]

I still feel like that way.

[@plursocks]

​@@jossykerflossy915same here. Never bought from them. Never had any desire to buy from them.

[@MsJeanneMarie]

I’ve shopped with them twice and both times almost everything I got was cheaply constructed and fit poorly. The only items I liked were jewelry but those items were more poorly constructed than other cheap jewelry I buy.

[@Starfire861]

@@plursocksSame here. You know that $4 dress and those $2 pants aren’t gonna make it through the wash.

[@TDekat97]

I thought everyone felt this way until this documentary 😅

[@Deadpool4president]

Labour laws need to be enforced. If a store goes against labour laws, it should be forced to improve or shut down, not just lightly fined.

[@trailertrish]

they must have a loophole since those laws dont apply in China

[@biteofdog]

That would be more at a government level of regulating foreign and domestic corporations, so that only items ethically produced can be sold/supplied to America. But corporations don't like this they only care about getting things cheaply made overseas.

[@Shelbzolla]

That’s a catch 22. A lot of things you order from come from china. Even small brands. Their clothing is from china. If you wanna buy usa made it’s exponentially more expensive. Making it unrealistic to a majority of people trying to survive.

[@Shelbzolla]

I should say I’m not condoning this. I’m just saying the reality. It’s not only shein. Our iPhones are made in China where they have a net outside to prevent unaliving themselves. But pop off Steve Jobs right? 😬

[@catsfromaway]

Items made in the US are not exactly made ethically either. Its most likely prison labour. Which is slave labour.

[@hikariyamato6595]

As a Chinese speaker, thank you for taking the time and energy to not only learn the pronunciation but to also publicly express respect for the language/culture. There’s so many English speaking content creators who dgaf, butcher the language, and just move on.

[@AW-uv3cb]

Yeah, it's annoying especially when so often the pronunciation can be very easily looked up online. I've heard much worse pronunciation than SWOOP's on otherwise good channels actually focusing on China!

[@KarlaO711]

Its not only with the Chinese language, it's with others too. I mean just use google translate and let the computer voice let speak it out for you. I dont know how it is in Chinese, but in German it works very well.

[@hikariyamato6595]

@@KarlaO711it’s a lot better now, but as little as a few years ago the AI text-to-speech couldn’t get the tonal inflections quite right. But again, really appreciative of SWOOP for taking the time and energy to learn the pronunciation correctly from, what sounds like, a native speaker.

[@KarlaO711]

@@hikariyamato6595 Yes agreed!

[@beepboop8374]

I have literally never even spoken anything but English and I find it so irritating when other creators don’t even try to pronounce words and names correctly. I could tell it was difficult and took time for her to practice but thats awesome that she did it and tried rather than butchered it and then laughed about it.

[@enelezed454]

My stepmom was born to an immigrant who went through sweat shop labor when she was young, and knowing that all of that is still going on breaks my heart. Ive heard bits and pieces of what my grandma went through, and my heart breaks knowing how much money they make off of these poor people.

[@bleukettu4521]

My grandmother came here from Ireland in the 30s as a child and started working in a denim facility at 14 and literally sowed through her thumb and the floor manager b*tched about sending her to a medic. It's crazy to hear the stories she has. One woman passed out on the floor and they just carried her off the floor and had another woman take her place. It is mind blowing to think those kind of things are still happening.

[@raebsen]

​@Bleu Kettu If more people heard these stories, I'd bet many would become more consciously aware of the sweat shop horrors. But then maybe not... people still LOVE Nike and they are neck deep in child/ sweat-shop labor and that's pretty well known.

[@MiraCassandre]

This. I try to tell ppl around me the stories of ppl working in places like this. I'm not sure they always care enough 😔

[@cassidythecat]

Recently I bought a long sleeve shirt of Starset merch, a band I absolutely adore, and I decided to look at the tag to see where it was made, and it was from Nicaragua. I really can't say anything because I know nothing about that country, but I honestly felt sick to my stomach because I do know that a lot of South America is not as well developed as other places in the world, and I'm at least 50% sure it was made in a sweatshop or something similar to that. As an American, I know we're shamed for being ignorant and careless about what goes on in other countries and I hope that I don't come across as that, but personally I wish that something could be done to either shut down the shops or ease the livelihood of the workers. Not just in that country, but all the others around the world.

[@JillianEve]

Sometimes I get overwhelmed and feel like all I can do is throw up my hands and say, "there's no ethical consumption under capitalism so why try at all?" But I try to remember these companies want us to feel powerless as individuals to affect the systems we are part of. However, legislation requiring companies to report their practices, education, wearing things until they wear out, mending, thrifting, and shopping less are all things individuals can do that collectively make a difference. Thanks for this thoroughly researched doc!

[@darkcrydotmrihavetoomanyst1440]

Also if clothes get tears I try to sew them up so they last longer

[@creativitybytrisha6819]

Its easy to get overwhelmed when you see something that would take months or years to make if you did it completely from scratch by processing the raw fiber from scratch. (I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that) Each small difference a person can make seems like it would help in theory. The only way to fully change would be to hold companies accountable and have departments in place to verify that companies are doing what they are supposed to without the ability to be paid off.

[@morigahn]

​@darkcrydotmrihavetoomanyst1440 If I can't mend clothing, I use the fabric to make something else, t-shirts into decoration pillow cases, my mom taught me how to sew, if nothing else, I've made cleaning cloths that are like hand gloves (mittens, more like) or things like that. Poshmark is overrun with Shein clothes too but resold at prices 10x what Shein sells them for

[@aaronstorey9712]

One flaw in your statement. The workers are in a communist country

[@TheCatWitch63]

Amen, sister!!!

[@catstate]

its me again, the timestamp cat! ✨ 0:00 A good introduction to what Shein is and its issues... i wouldnt skip it tbh! 13:12 Fast fashion (what it is, its history, and its evolution) 21:41 What is Shein? (basic business model, etc) 23:59 What makes Shein unique? 24:41 Shein and its reliance on influencers 26:02 Who made Shein? (what we know about Xu Yangtian/Chris Xu) 29:03 Shein origins(?) / Xu's past company 34:37 Shein's growth 38:30 The dark side of Shein (Public Eye's findings) 43:00 No accountability, no changes 44:08 Reuters' report on Shein 47:03 Channel 4's documentary on Shein 49:56 Conspiracy theory - "HELP ME" on labels (it's not true) 53:43 Controversy: Shein hacked and compromised 56:24 Controversy: Design theft 1:02:40 Controversy: Swastika necklace (and other offensive products) 1:08:26 Controversy: Lead in products 1:11:13 Controversy: Modern slave labor 1:14:46 The future of Shein 1:18:48 Defenses of Shein 1:27:17 Ending comments

[@MiraCassandre]

Thank you!! 💜

[@nathryl03]

Thank you 💜

[@ashunknown]

Thanks timestamp cat!

[@amandap7733]

Hero cat!

[@Feyra.z]

I worship you time stamp cat, thank you for blessing us 🙏

[@error404webpagenotfound]

What makes me even more mad is that in these Shein haul videos they make you think they're going to keep all those items and wear them a lot bc they're "amazing quality" when in reality they return over half or all of the items. They just buy the items for the video and return them, further contributing to harm these fast fashion companies cause.

[@MmeRougarou]

I remember looking through my grandparents closet amazed at the quality of their clothes. A jacket lasted generations

[@marissa7085]

Right?! I get so happy when my grandma gives me her clothes, not only does she have a good fashion sense (no ugly curtain like patterns) but I know it'll last

[@aaronhotchnerzoltfbi8085]

Mines has more than 3 closets full 😂

[@martinjrgensen8234]

I have a leather jacket my grandad bought in the 60’s. I take care of the leather, and you can see it has patina, but still looks amazing

[@lovelyladyguido]

As a Nonna (Grandma) myself. I'd agree 100% My daughter and granddaughter have borrowed my clothes on occasion. I saved all my best vintage outfits. All of them back in style now and very well made. I also made many of my boho dresses, emperor style shirts and A framed skirts. Peddle pushers and sweaters. Many out of Angora. (Yum) It is so nice to be complimented on ones style. Really makes me feel good that I put time and effort into it.

[@annahappen7036]

@@lovelyladyguido you're amazing. I hope I'm a grammy like you one day

[@nany_quinha]

As a Brazilian when you said ZARA was "affordable" i literally screamed "WHEN??!" they arent the most expensive but they are still very expensive here, i like to call them "expensive and ugly" 😂 no lies were said

[@SilverMoon459]

In my country Zara and the rest are so expensive that we fly to different countries to buy clothes

[@TheDevilChrno]

Not to mention the fits are always SO BAD.. especially if you're above a size 5. The clothing fits like you described clothing to an alien and they tried to make it just going by the description.

[@leavemealone802]

Here in Brazil, Zara is what we call "rich people clothes with no taste" lol

[@nany_quinha]

@@leavemealone802 true 😂😂😂 they are so ugly, my mother in law likes to buy from there, her fashion taste is at least questionable, but hey i dont even have a fashion taste so i cant say much 😂

[@shart8008]

Same here in malaysia. Like i swear a simple blouse could be over MYR100 which is INSANE to me tbh

[@iamtotalyinlovewith]

If you have $600 to spend on clothes why would it be on shein?

[@lindenshepherd6085]

For real!! You could be completely outfitted at Moresca’s and rule Ren Faires around the US for $600, but nooo…

[@amber_hates_amber]

My thoughts exactly.

[@eidelrose]

If I had 600 to spend it would be on fabric for my own wardrobe 😂😂😂

[@AKAM30]

Right?? I was thinking that. 600 can get you some nice long lasting pieces

[@taurusgirl240]

You realize luxury brands do the same thing they just aren’t pumping out the quantity shein is so everyone turns a blind eye. Guaranteed you ALL buy slave labor products so stop being hypocrites.

[@Libertiffy]

I can proudly say I have NEVER ordered from Shein

[@ellietidwell5105]

SAME

[@mariavwrld]

u should be proud girl! Me either.

[@winterlynn9012]

Same. Ads for it constantly appear on Facebook and IG for it and it annoyed me so much, I hated the brand before I found out anything about it.

[@cocobear285]

Same. My husband and I try our best to avoid Chinese companies as much as possible. It is also why we don't do tiktok. They don't respect international laws, you can't trust them to be honest about anything!

[@sukaitodd2510]

Same here. I'm proud of you.

[@bluejay43]

It's interesting that this is happening now, because I swear YEARS ago, before Tiktok was around, people on KZbin talked about Shein being a super shady company and that you shouldn't buy from them. Guess all that "hey, don't buy from them" videos didn't work out.

[@ultraboombean]

When you are young you get tempted by the flashy and cheap.

[@mackenziewilliams4507]

That’s when I first ordered from them and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve probably only had to return 5 things and they were my fault for not checking the stretch of the material

[@nightigal]

I think KZbin and Tiktok might have two different audiences.

[@bluejay43]

@@nightigal Yeah, but like, you'd think because this all happened before Tiktok, people would've know to not support Shein???

[@dylangarciapoetry]

I always enjoy your content but just wanted you to know how refreshing it is to see people actively work to correctly pronounce names instead of making excuses. ❤

[@maddy7418]

This!!! IMO it’s disrespectful for creators to blatantly butcher the pronunciation and then laugh about it. “I’m white” or “I can barely speak English” is not an excuse

[@kateboyd9374]

Second this! It is a thoughtful kindness. I've been watching a ton of coverage of Russia's war, and American commentators routinely butcher names of people and cities. One more reason Swoop is awesome.

[@Ann-jh3kj]

I literally went to the comments to see if this had been posted yet 👆 👆 Im so happy she takes the time to RESPECT peoples' names. My first name is 'hard' for people to pronounce, but it is literally just phoneticallly written 😂 So I really appreciate when people put in the effort.

[@ninimeggie4771]

Love it! Doesn't have to be perfect, we all have our own accents, but clearly trying and working to nake them accurate is so important

[@annoyedkitten4964]

I barely speak/understand Chinese, but I could tell she worked on it, or she would not have used tones like she did. Few non-Chinese speakers know it's imperative to do that.

[@torieh1692]

I’ve been seeing a lot of Temu hauls on TikTok recently and this is another fast fashion brand I’m staying away from. People have to hold these companies more accountable and have self control not to shop these places. Thanks for covering this.

[@michaelawilhelminajosepina9350]

Ive heard that temu is in a part of china who the rest of the world dont want to fÜck with😅😅😅😅

[@stylis666]

Holding them accountable and voting for laws/lawmakers that discourage these kinds of practices, yes, but a 100 billion dollar international company isn't going to feel any impact if people "have self control". Are you going to tell my neighbour why they should "have self control"? All he knows is that Shein is cheap. So good luck with that. And that's one customer. Do you think they'd care if you succeeded? And what about the family members that told him about Shein because he can afford it with his income? Are you going to convince them to "have self control"? Do you think that "self control" is ever going to make any difference anywhere ever on a level beyond a personal level?

[@aileencarbonell9549]

I was going to ask if SHEIN and Temu where the same company.

[@00Rav3n00]

OMG. I hate Temu, I don't understand how people can't see that Temu is basically Shein, but make it orange.

[@Younce_Davies]

​@@aileencarbonell9549not from my understanding. Same with WISH. All of these companies are commonly mistaken for one another

[@Enigmatic_Lurker]

Just last month my partner saved me from making a SHEIN purchase. I don't really follow a lot of news about fashion and brands so I didn't know anything about them but saw an ad with some good looking sales so I started shopping around. My partner walked by my computer and did a double take before telling me about all the messed up practices they're known for because apparently Mat Pat did a "Style Theory" video talking about it. Glad people are spreading awareness about this so unsuspecting customers don't contribute to or fund these horrible companies.

[@TheCatWitch63]

One more thing: somebody should investigate Shein’s makeup and skincare lines. There’s no way I’m touching those, not even with a ten-foot pole.

[@alyss6781]

My friend bought a blush and lipgloss pack there for like 8 euros, with it having like 6 products inside, i'm genuinely wondering what really is inside those products, cause i buy cheap makeup, but it's never no where near as cheap as shein products

[@mackenziewilliams4507]

I got a cream blush in a free trial and it was so cute and didn’t break me out 🫣😂

[@billieking2257]

wait they sell MAKEUP????? WTF?

[@MiniiCitrus]

I'm too afraid to try any dirt cheap cosmetics that comes out of Asia. But every time I mention it, I'm "sinophobic". Dude I just don't want to put lead powders on my eyes, if they had standards, quality assurance checks and a way to be held accountable, it'd be different

[@TheDevilChrno]

​@@billieking2257SHE GLAM is their makeup line.

[@annadaunting]

And this is why I feel like most billionaires got rich illegally. Thanks for another good doc. I've never shopped at SHEIN before and now I got even more reasons not to. I feel for the people they use and abuse!

[@lucyjane3803]

There is no ethical way to become a billionaire, you can only get there by the suffering of others.

[@SlothDaan]

​@@lucyjane3803 came here to say rhe same thing!

[@annadaunting]

@@lucyjane3803 yeah sadly :/

[@martinjrgensen8234]

Most billionaires are sociopaths and care nothing for the people they employ

[@DawnKellyMedia]

​@@lucyjane3803reminds me of John Carter on ER, who walked away from the money because his family made it during the depression selling coal and thousands of people froze to death because of them. Then when he got all the money, he donated it.

[@mollyb2459]

SWOOP, I was watching one of your videos with my 6 year old daughter, and she was like "Mom, she's so pretty" Just thought I'd let you know ((:

[@PettyUniversity]

OMG that melted my heart!!!!!

[@Kaleidescope66]

You are beautiful and so easy to listen to. Smart & Sassy!

[@Jenna-Roo]

It's true! Swoop is breathtakingly beautiful 🙂✌🏻💕

[@PatrickWentzell-jd9gq]

​@@PettyUniversity Al Pachino an Keanu Reeves are two of America's greatest actors . I love your videos continue them . 😊

[@TheSandra1199]

Man, even the so-called luxury brands are horrific quality today. I am not paying 1000 dollars for a bag that cost you less than 20 dollars to make.

[@Silkencira1710]

Thats my issue. I dont mind paying more for quality. But usually it isnt quality at all!!

[@jeongbalsancat]

Edit: omg this is a whole documentary.. over an hour long and sooo much effort, free to watch! Thanks so much. * * * Thanks for making this video. I'm more interested in the company as a environmentally aware citizen and how engineered irrelevance causes lots and lots of chemical fabric to end up in landfills, poisoning the planet.

[@Taytay_79]

DJ,s please remix he Swoop intro. It needs a beat and loop😂

[@k3upikachu]

I remember buying from Romwe back in 2013 and was so excited at how cheap everything was, so I bought a bunch of stuff. This was right when the super fast fashion brands were emerging. When my clothes arrived, they all smelled like gasoline and half of my clothes said SheIn instead of Romwe. A lot of the cute stuff I've seen online was made of what seemed like Halloween costume material. Literally never bought fast fashion again after that because I realized that cheap came at a much higher cost, and I couldn't justify supporting exploitation of the environment and workers for clothes that I was never going to wear. Almost exclusively shop at thrift stores now and I'm so annoyed that SheIn clothing is showing up at Goodwill 😒

[@aileencarbonell9549]

I buy from threup which is a thrift shop online and I have been noticing a lot of clothes from SHEIN as well.

[@evelinaz1548]

I bought from Romwe back then too! But I only bought 2 or 3 crewneck sweaters and honestly.. they're still holding up and were/are great quality and some of my favorites. I guess it depends on the clothing item but this goes for just regular clothes shopping as well.

[@algae_]

And they still want $3-5 for a used, damaged garment that costs probably cheaper from shein itself

[@cadecutie]

To be fair I have stuff still from around that time that. So there is some stuff that lasts but a lot is definitely cheaply made and won’t.

[@Mamaroo92]

Swoop being shocked by the workers working 12 hour days, 75 hour work weeks makes me realize how screwed my husband was at his last job because that was normal for him. So grateful for his new boss. He works from home and gets scolded by his boss for working too much and told to take family days regularly. Unfortunately there are a lot of American workers working the same sort of shifts as the shein workers are

[@KarlaO711]

The max hours you are allowed to work here, were I live is 60. Yes you are allowed to do 12 hours per day, but you are not allowed (and the companies are monitored) to work more then 60. And I am glad, it is that way. Evertime I hear smt about America, it reminds me, that I never want to live there tbh. :/ I am glad that your husband has a much better boss now, who looks after their workers.

[@thepitpatrol]

12 hour days, no days off and almost zero pay. Sounds like farming.

[@Angelface11]

17 hour days they said 😮

[@thepitpatrol]

@bitchpepper change jobs. Problem solved.

[@TheSasa2013]

I work 70. I’m a truck driver lol. 😂

[@carmenbaudelaire]

The funny not funny thing is that my country tried to ban Shein this year and the result was that Shein actually opened a store in the capital. The opening day had gazillion people from all across the country waiting to enter the store. Even today organisations try to stop Shein in my country, the more they try the more Shein successes. I'm speechless

[@tiffanywaddell1993]

I love that this is being brought to the surface and now suddenly TEMU is everywhere it’s just a twin sister of shein !? The amount of my friends telling me to get the app so they can get free shipping or get a better deal is appalling to me like TEMU is now making deals so other people have to download the app for their friends and/or family like when did this even start I just woke up one day just like shein , TEMU was everywhere like what in the world 😭

[@lysirae]

They advertised VERY HEAVILY on superbowl Sunday.That was the first time I heard of them.

[@sinickasdavis2159]

Same here Tiffany I'm new to Temu but I do like them for certain things

[@lucyjane3803]

Prices are so low on Temu because their actual business is reselling your personal information, just saying 🙄

[@simplyj_17]

Is few weeks ago I discovered temu and at the same time. I love been obsessed with smart gadgets and wanting compact organizers and containers and temu has it all But seeing this doc it feels like the same thing…. Lots of cheap products. I have purchased multiple times and most of the stuff I loved. But now after seeing this doc. I feel bad buying and now I’m deleting the app.

[@Totally_Glitched]

TEMU is worse than Shein in one major way: you have to spend at least $20 to place an order. As someone who struggles with shopping addiction, it seems even more predatory than stores like this usually are. I admit I have ordered from TEMU, but I was thankfully able to stop myself from buying further. It's just not worth it. My heart goes out to all the other people who get sucked into these types of stores because it's 'so cheap'.

[@veronicadow1407]

Honestly subscribed for the proper pronunciation of Chinese names (or at least the diligent attempt) plus credit to the person who taught you. It’s totally possible to say these names correctly and we need to start doing that, like it’s time

[@holdmacat9932]

Yes it hurts me when there is for example polish name and people are not trying to say it correctly, they just butcher it by Americaizing it

[@marie-eve5165]

The shoutout was super nice.

[@ADK92]

Who cares? It’s shein. F them

[@Someone-kg8qf]

Nobody can pronounce my first, middle or last name correctly. Join the party.

[@SongMangosteen]

Don't be ridiculous. Every language tends to pronounce foreign names and words in their own way. I'm in Hong Kong, and nobody makes a fuss when Chinese people say foreigners' names in their own way (not in the way it is pronounced by the "owner" of that name). My first name is butchered almost every day by Chinese, other Asians, and also Americans. You know what? I don't care! Nobody is doing it in a mean-spirited way. Jeez. get over it. If YOU want to learn the correct pronunciation, then go for it (just make sure you do that for EVERY kind of name, otherwise it's hypocrisy), cool. But enough of this "like it's time" stuff. Lighten up.

[@kateulibarri3801]

THANK YOU FOR COVERING THIS TOPIC. As a fashion student, one of the biggest problems we always talk about addressing is not only the creation of safe and sustainable clothing, but also sustainable and circular business practices/economies. I’d love to see more deep dives into the fashion and beauty industry, especially if you can highlight business that are pushing to become more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

[@shesellssanctuary1601]

Thank you for this. I have always been repulsed by ‘shien’ hauls. This is a company that should be boycotted into oblivion and not celebrated 🙏

[@MiraCassandre]

💯💯😔

[@sakurablossoms94]

Honestly, I'm on a disability income and I don't even buy from them. You don't need $600 worth of clothes regularly. You need clothes that last. Even in school, I had like 5 jeans, 2 skirts, and 10 tops.

[@sugarplum2467]

So that every single person who is dependent on those jobs starve to death? If there were other jobs available you don't think all of those people would take them...?

[@sakurablossoms94]

@@sugarplum2467 I mean you have a point... but I don't see why a company worth billions can't spare a couple million to ensure they pay their employees well.

[@hailyjohnson407]

​@@sugarplum2467if they were paid a fair wage though and there were fewer orders they had to make in a day, they could make higher quality products. And just because it's the only job available doesn't mean they deserve to work in such terrible conditions. I definitely get where you're coming from, but I don't think "saving the jobs of workers," at least as the conditions currently are, should be the focus. Yes of course I do not want the workers to starve, but they already are on the slave wages they're being paid, and they're being worked to death at the rate they are overworked. They deserve safe jobs, living wages, and time at home to rest, and more than 1-2 days off per month. The goal isn't to put Shein out of business, it's to make them change the way they do business so that it's ethical

[@slytherinhouse]

Yes! Thank you!! As tempting as it might seem.. we are no better than the people running it.. if we keep supporting this lifestyle. I am soooo tired of the instant gratification entitlement.. or that everyone and everything is just disposable. We need to find our compassion again.

[@Bethsabee_Sheba_Newrose]

Yes! Yes please! Argh, I can’t agree with this enough!

[@alliu6562]

Very this. Modern fast fashion is an ecological and socio-economic nightmare. It’s built on the backs of exploited workers and fills our landfills with plastics, AND it destroys the environment with harmful chemicals.

[@thatboujeebrokegirl7857]

I just placed a large order… gonna log on and see if I can cancel now or if I have to wait for it to come and donate it. I had no idea of any of this!!

[@aromaladyellie]

The problem is it’s cheap so poor people end up buying it because they can’t afford anything better and more sustainable.

[@holenhelen7830]

@Ellie F 'Poor people' can afford more sustainable options if we can snap out of the thought that more = status or that 'it's worth it cuz it was on sale'. That girl who said, 'I don't condone shopping at Shein, but I'm poor' is not thinking about the big picture or long term financially. Those clothes will fall apart quickly & people feel inclined to buy more.

[@nafisa.t13]

The problem is consumerism itself, and how people feel pressured to get into the "cuteness" business (particularly referring to unccessary purchases) while someone out there is losing their freedom and health (considering the lead content) over it. Tale as old as time, but selfishness among humans (especially the ones making excuses rather than feeling shame) for the sake of prettiness and convenience is simply out of control now.

[@Tiffany.Kro00]

Especially with overconsumption and micro trends from TikTok. Teens are feeling more pressured than ever to buy clothes that fit very specific styles. Only to throw it out or forget about it in a few months at most.

[@andeggbreaks]

Absolutely. On social media theres so much pressure to be fashionable while if you look around in real life most people aren't.

[@Younce_Davies]

​@andeggbreaks tiktok is used mostly by gen z, which are mostly teenagers. High school mindset seeped into that app. Kids have always wanted to fit in, and this extreme consumerism is a way kids feel they need to do to fit it with everyone. It doesn't help that older people are also following this trend. When someone older than me does this I am judgemental.

[@yooni8697]

This ^^^^

[@lisabarrero3052]

If you wanna hear something funny. I used shein for a while. I purchased a cheaper than cheap sewing machine, almost like something you would purchase a child as a toy. I started repairing clothes that i love. Then I started looking at patterns and purchasing them. Then I made a jumpsuit out of an old duvet to see if i could follow a pattern with the machine. Now I make all my clothes out of thrifted bed linen with patterns i like. Also, all the crap, cheap fast fashion garments i purchased are being made into patchwork quilts and cushion covers. So thanks shein for the FHSM-505 sewing machine. It enabled me to understand textiles, how they are produced, dyed and sewn together. I will never use these companies again all because i purchased that cheap sewing machine from shein.

[@thehillisalive]

In college (late 2010s), Shein was almost too good to be true for me. On a broke student budget I was able to get clothes that I still use to this day. But now that I'm lucky enough to have a well-paying job I avoid them at all costs because I have the luxury to afford more ethical brands/shop vintage and secondhand (also, clothing swaps are amazing and I highly recommend). What I find so insidious about them now is how they've absolutely roped in these influencers to doing those massive wasteful hauls. The richer the influencer, the more I judge them for going near that brand. We already can see clothing landfills from space, theres 0 need to add to that pile.

[@Camille_Anderson]

I agree, I can afford to shop where I want, I hate the thought of toxic materials, hazardous chemicals and unacceptable treatment of employees. The beauty influencers are as bad - wasting millions on products they use once, plastic, packaging, environmental damage and pollution are incredibly damaging too. It's such a waste!!The damage to people, animals and the environment is too much for me. The greed of these companies out there, including Amazon, is not right. As usual, poorer people are struggling and being exploited.

[@phenomenalmomma5005]

​@@Camille_Andersonggff2ooò

[@Angelface11]

How did the clothes even last? The fabric is so terrible. Just go to thrift stores That's how you can afford nice things for cheap also. Heck you can even go to a food bank or all kinds of places that will give you free clothing that's good too

[@thehillisalive]

@Angelface11 they arent the most high quality pieces known to man, but they're pretty solid; I even get compliments sometimes. I'm not sure if the manufacturing has gotten cheaper since 2016, but it's also worth noting I don't wear these dresses every day; just occasionally.

[@thehillisalive]

@Angelface11 also want to iterate again that I'm all for thrifting and swaps; this was a different time in my life where I had very few options to get off campus and I wasn't as educated about fast fashion

[@Katastr0phic_Katicorn]

I really appreciate you touching on the fact that there's a huge difference between supporting companies with negative policies when you can afford not to, and when it's just not feasible. I'm struggling with weight-loss, going to college and barely able to have a roof over my head so -although I try to be as environmentally conscious and humane as possible- I also need to wear clothes for some stupid reason. Ita a difficult and nuanced issue and, like with all activism, no one can be sustainably perfect.

[@justinjay2318]

I feel like Temu would fit under this category. They do similar price tags and similar “15% off plus free shipping and a $100 coupon”. AND the items are damaged or they don’t always work. They’re china own but their base is here in the states

[@JennE17]

Chinese spyware too... We had an article warning us about this app in Canada Cybersecurity experts are warning that the app, TEMU, may be collecting your data. Temu is gaining traction on social media for its low prices and targeted ads, but cybersecurity experts warn the app may be collecting your personal data.

[@PettyUniversity]

Thanks for the info! There have been so many scattered and confusing reports while I've been looking into them.... I'm really curious about actual customer experiences

[@fagiolification11]

Ugh, I constantly get their ads here on YT. They're trying to push their crap down our throat. 😒

[@alliu6562]

The Temu app is spyware, plus they have an MLM side. Which is WILD they’re *literally* using every single shady business practice ever to try and maximize profits.

[@xxrooxx2724]

@@PettyUniversityI’ve ordered from them a total of twice and each time the quality of some of the products is actually very good, however, I haven’t fallen that far down the rabbit hole. I’ve mainly just ordered organization stuff for my business. a few Sanrio items, and a succulent plushie

[@emilykirk1078]

I thrift 99% of my clothing, but don’t even buy Shein secondhand. And come to find out, it’s even worse as a company than I had even thought. Yikes!!!

[@ColzoArt]

Oh goodness, Swoop, thanks for this. I’m a plus size human and still won’t shop there but I do shop fast fashion in big box stores locally purely because a bish is broke! I can’t sit in judgement of people who shop there though, I’m in judgement of the billionaires not paying their fair share and are exploiting their workers.

[@pineapplepapercrafts]

Buying from big box stores is still better than buying from them. Like ya there are issues with all capitalism and fast fashion. But some is still better than others. I will get kids clothes from Walmart and second hand. Also Costco has pretty decent clothes.

[@TheCatWitch63]

I agree. I still can’t wrap my mind around the idea that people can be this greedy. They have more money than entire countries, and I’m almost certain they won’t be able to spend it all in three lifetimes, but they still deny decent wages to their workers, and they force them to work to exhaustion in inhumane conditions, while destroying the planet and poisoning their customers. Since this is not enough, they also need to rip off indie artists, crafters and designers.

[@futaba-tian]

The opening description was hauntingly beautiful. I could vividly imagine the horrors hiding in that room, the pain and despair of people forced to work themselves to the bone... It's horrible that in our modern times, there are still places like this where human life costs literally nothing. Thank you very much, SWOOP, for bringing light to this important topic and doing it in such an informative and respectful way.

[@wxixl]

Working in the Post Office we get these huge stacks of Shein and Temu packages. You can tell it’s just another fashion trend incoming. Also the packaging looks mostly damaged and extremely cheap.

[@annaolson4828]

Many of the Triangle fire victims were forced to jump multiple stories to get out. One journalist started describing the noise of them hitting the pavement as "thud...dead. Thud...dead." How long it took for wealthy industrialists to start implementing safety precautions and giving a crap about their workers is inexcusable.

[@marycatherine3752]

The amount of research, time, and effort Swoop puts into these docufilms is mind boggling and so admirable. Her quality is top tier

[@Cashhhhew]

Don’t forget her team! They’re all amazing ❤

[@thatcarlchick7655]

I love how you always set the stage first in your videos, centering the victims in these stories and reminding us how true it is that "it's not just drama, it's harmful." Very nice work.

[@FlyMeUpSoHigh]

I used to put aside money to buy clothing from YesStyle in 2016-2017 (after graduating from college) in like $100 bulks and I still have the majority of them because it was out of necessity and even then the packaging made me feel bad. But seeing people get rid of them so soon after getting them or reselling them at crazy prices... This was also during the time that thrift shops were hiking up prices so it's wild... This is why REDUCE should always be the main thing we focus on in this capitalist world.

[@cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486]

One of the most irritating things about both Shein and Cider (and I’d love to see you do an expose on them) is their “description”, especially around fabric content. This is notably against consumer guidance. If a label or description says it’s cotton, it needs to be cotton. If it’s supposed to be. % fibres, certainly in the U.K., it needs to be that. It’s not. I’ve never known where to go in terms of reporting this. But I refuse to purchase from these sites - I’d rather take more time, get my fabric myself and try and make most of my own things.

[@EmillyOrr]

You know, the rise of another candy- coated fast fashion brand, TEMU, is bringing the whole SHEIN controversy into sharp light. And I find it hugely intriguing that everyone seems to mistrust TEMU's deals (and occasional shipping issues), for the same reasons they should mistrust SHEIN's.

[@OverAnalyst]

TY! If I *never* see a Temu or Shein ad/"haul" again, it'll be too soon. People suffer horribly & Earth gets fkd, so we can get more crap we'll forget or toss in a month. Oh, with a bonus of data creepy-ness. *ETA I'm weirdly grateful to illμminaughtii for sucking enough to help many of us find you (& others)

[@mewling_mooncalf]

Also came here initially for the iilluminaughtii doc and am now a new enrollee of Petty University!

[@lyswenn]

I've seen TEMU ads all around and I've never delved into them but they give me untrustworthy vibes somehow (SOOOO many spammers on twitter). Is the dirt on them similar to Shein?

[@CEJ4918]

@@lyswennyes they’re basically Shein’s twin competitor.

[@AngelRasmus3]

Urrrrrgh fucking Temu. See their ads EVERYWHERE. Only good thing to come from them is I saw a stirring coffee mug in an ad and liked it, so I jumped on Amazon to buy one. Fuck Temu, too good to be true

[@SylphistiaSymptom]

I have a Facebook friend who keeps sending me links to Temu saying that if I accept his invitation then I’ll be helping him get free stuff, and I’m just done with it. I’m fucking tired of it :/

[@Alex-ru3ut]

Shein is what made me start checking what every item of clothing I buy is made of. I got a cute dress at a garage sale that turned out to be 100% polyester. I still have it, but I can only wear it in the winter. Otherwise, I'll overheat from basically being wrapped in plastic. Shein has pretty much ruined thrifting for me, too, because 90% of the cute things I see end up being Shein and 100% polyester.

[@HanaTheRussell]

The fact that you got coaching to say the Chinese names right is amazing. Way too many creators just being like “ yikes I’m not even gonna try to pronounce this name I’m just gonna put it up on the screen”

[@NickySatiZaizen]

I don’t buy from Shien... or Temu. I do get attempted sometimes because of the deals, but I always managed to stop myself from doing so. It is something about the prices that tells the quality of the item to me (not that I buy luxury items because the girl got tuition to pay). I felt that these companies are taking advantage of the current economic situation and giving out false information that drives people to overconsumption. I watched “The True Cost” for my economic and sustainability class, and I am shocked at the behind the scene of the fashion industry. It can be applied to many other industries as well. Overall, it is a great doc, Swoop. Education as always.

[@isabellevkd]

I’ve shopped from Shien once and Temu once, and both times didn’t get clothes because of the sweatshops. I didn’t know about the Lead and PFAS 🙃

[@Pandy879]

I've never purchased clothing from Shein or Temu... mostly because I'm a bigger girl and I have to try everything on lol. But, because fashion is seemingly the focus of their brands, I think ppl tend to forget that both companies sell items unrelated to fashion. Not to mention, companies like Walmart and Target completely destroyed stores like Kmart that made it a little more affordable for working class ppl to buy halfway decent clothing.

[@tharealcar-lee509]

I am guilty of shopping at SHEIN and falling into the fast fashion trap. I have stopped shopping at fast fashion brands and I have began investing in lasting timeless pieces from vintage shops.

[@eviehowson3200]

As a currently studying fashion student we are taught in our first semester (at my place of education at least) about sustainability and how harmful the fashion industry can be and you walk in thinking “yeah shein is a heap of shit and wasting clothes is an issue” but you leave that class thinking “holy shit I don’t even wanna support my local Kmart, or certain pop up stalls in markets. This is all one massive scam to get money we have to do better” obviously we learn how to do better in my place of education as fashion is the second biggest polluter, one of my projects I just finished was upcycling jeans for a market that happens once every 4 months that highlights local designers that use old garments, towel, blankets,ect and create new fashionable garments. But sometimes it can be really hard to find solutions especially in workplaces for certain things like at home I use kid safe fabric paints for my stuff but in the workplace they need to buy wholesale there aren’t as many eco-friendly options and we are just talking about places like Australia and NZ where laws are more stricter than places like Bangladesh or China where I have seen a few documentaries talk about how they just allow the textile chemicals to leak into local rivers. This example only goes for textiles, not the workers treatment, fabric creation/sourcing, sourcing of other parts seen in garment creation, packaging, ect. The fashion industry needs to change EVERYTHING for it to get better and very few people are looking into that and it’s really only the younger generations that are gonna do anything about it.

[@trashqueeen]

The fashion industry being the second biggest polluter is just one symptom of capitalism. The whole system needs to come down if we want any single industry to do better

[@rileyallen489]

I'm a crocheter, but I know how to hand spin and I've made woven fabric once. I also know how to knit, but it hates me and I hate it back. Anyway, a huge issue with fashion/textiles under capitalism (and a lot of products tbh) is we have a very warped idea of how much a shirt costs to make. At living wage cost for the US, a shirt does not cost $10. Or $20. It just doesn't. It's hard work and while it's been automated to a degree, it's not as automated as people think. Making a garment at home on your sewing machine/serger isn't all that different from doing it in a factory. Real human labor goes into this, and we don't pay for it. Our economy is fundamentally broken because we do not pay for things at the actual cost. Laborers go on strike, they get new protections, and their labor gets outsourced. It's a vicious cycle.

[@tarragoncake1556]

Thanks for bringing this to light. I was considering Shein and now that I know these things I will be avoiding them. Still it’s so hard because the economy is rough and I have a rapidly growing 4 year old daughter. Ethics feels like a privilege for the wealthy, and often they’re the worst offenders.

[@evangeline7535]

I appreciate you mentioning the plight of plus-sized people. Before I had bariatric surgery a couple years ago, I was about 260 pounds, and there were very few stores I could shop at that had reasonably flattering clothes. Even if I did manage to find something, just one shirt would cost $50+. I am privileged enough now to be able to avoid fast fashion brands like Shein, but I really appreciate you reminding us that some people truly have no choice. ❤

[@eliserouzier9180]

I have to tell you, your comment makes me feel better after looking through the comment. As a plus-size/fat woman, I so often struggles to find affordable clothing that fit me, o try to avoid as much as possible fast fashion and shein, but I can rarely find any clothes that looks good and that I can afford, so sometimes, around once a year, I do buy fast fashion because I don’t have a choice

[@evangeline7535]

@@eliserouzier9180 I'm glad I was able to reassure you a little bit!! We all want to shop ethically, but there is a certain amount of privilege that comes with the ability to do so. You are doing great ❤️

[@slayrae872]

I'm not plus size but yes I can't imagine this struggle. Especially with a lot of people saying how bad someone is for shopping in fast fashion stores. I'm sure it makes someone feel guilty but also what are they to do? Go nude??

[@TheoRae8289]

I'm wearing clothes until they fall the fuck apart, because even though I have no choice, I am still choosing not to cover my fat ass in clothes from these companies. I'm still pinning together waistbands on things I bought when I was 250 lbs, and I'm 180 now.

[@evangeline7535]

@@TheoRae8289 That's amazing!! Congratulations on your journey so far, I know how hard it is!! ❤️

[@PBthesquirrel]

The laziness to rip off the same woman's work TEN times! She thoight her job was designing and selling clothes -- now her job is suing Shein 😖

[@jayare6804]

Thank you for covering this topic. companies like this are symptoms of the hyper capitalistic society we live in. when household wages haven't seen a real increase for decades, but the price of everything has tripled, people feel the squeeze. And without proper protections, companies like this rise up to fill the gap.

[@mikesanders8621]

..I one hundred percent agree with you about everything you just said. I just wish we'd figured that shit out about 70 years ago. Y'know, about 20 years before it was too late to save the majority of all known life in existence? That would have been swell.

[@skidcaesar]

Your "close your eyes / this is what we know" monologues are always SO GOOD. You's a wordsmith, Swoop. Love it.

[@Misty_Dawn]

I feel terrible knowing that I bought clothing from Shein for my daughters last Christmas, but I had no clue what kind of company they are. I had never heard of Shein before, but I had asked my girls what they would like for Christmas and they both gave me lists of clothes they would like from Shein and told me to download the app, etc.. I am a single mother, and I am very poor, so when I saw the prices, I was excited that I could possibly get several items for my girls, instead of just one or two items or nothing even.. I’m glad to know what I know now about this company and I’ll never purchase anything from them ever again! Thanks for all the info Swoop! You’re the best! 💕🙏🏻

[@ar9349]

Please don't feel too bad. You didn't know then. Now you can avoid it moving forwards.

[@Angelface11]

Teach your girls about thrift stores

[@nazifaanjuman5633]

i think its alright, i think the more important thing is to get the most usage from the clothing you buy and minimise purchase of fast fashion clothes and being more mindful! i think for consumers its okay to buy fast fashion but make sure not to only wear it once or twice and throw it away.

[@rosalina2773]

Hope you don’t feel bad about it. You didn’t know, and you did make your girls happy I’m sure.

[@Kathrine465]

All fast fashion is bad sadly. The people on the top of fast fashion brands only care about money. I try to shop second hand. I do not have a lot of money either. Do not feel bad. Companies like this try to fool us. You now know better.

[@dittomilk8109]

Massive respect for actually going out of your way to get help with pronouncing the names! More channels should follow your standard :)

[@gracie5680]

Hey Swoop! Your channel is going to EXPLODE with weekly posts! The only complaint I have ever had with this channel is that there isn’t enough Swoop content in the world! You inspire me AWLL of the time! You have opened my eyes to subjects like racism (I’m sick that it still very much exists-I didn’t even know what a micro-aggression was before you educated me!) being alive and still thriving. You have educated me, softened my heart and entertained me. I appreciate you! I’m so excited that I can look forward to weekly posts! Thank you for AWLL that you do, you ROCK!❤

[@lisab3483]

I absolutely refuse to shop from places like Shein, Temu, or wish. In fact, I try to avoid fast fashion at all cost, although sometimes it’s difficult. The cheap fabric/construction, the unethical labor practices, and the toll these businesses take on the environment just make them a “no” for me. I’m on a very tight budget, too, btw. More than 75% of my wardrobe is thrifted or hand-me-downs from my mom or friends, and the rest I’ve been wearing since high school or college. My best thrifting tip is to go to thrift shops in areas that are wealthier than where you live, and go regularly. (Yes, I’m writing this on an iPhone, but it’s 4 years old, and I’ll keep it til it dies.)

[@driley5004]

Same! Don't the temu ads that are EVERYWHERE....annoying? Like stop, I don't wanna order from u!

[@MissRedZelda]

Mia Maples did a video where she literally made clothes based on ones from Shein using fabrics bought from the charity shop and it was STILL cheaper than the Shein prices. Quote her; "We don't need Shein." Edit: just want to add that, as someone who is considered "plus-size" (though not really because I'm a size 14, US size 12), I understand how hard it is to find clothes that aren't fast-fashion. Fortunately, where I live charity shops are much better than they used to be, plus second hand shopping apps like Vinted and DEsigner Wardrobe allow you to sort via sizing. Though that being said, it's not plus size people and lower income people (like myself) making the occasional purchase that's causing the problem - it's these wealthy influencers making "haul videos" that's driving this overconsumption problem. It's making me miss the days of Primark haul videos.

[@SlothDaan]

I like your comment, however I do not agree with the last line. What makes you think Primark is any better?

[@Spicypoptart1]

Well it helps that Mia is literally tiny so she can easily make entire garments from just a meter of fabric. Not so for plus size people, and also not everywhere has access to bargain bin fabrics.

[@rollerboogie]

Everyone consuming this stuff is the issue. Influencers are just advertisements. They are only receiving a tiny fraction of a percent of the clothes others buy to help advertise the products

[@Tasoq]

I'll be honest, I bought from them once, the stuff stank of chemicals, and then I learned about the behind the scenes stuff and felt so guilty for it

[@figuer09]

Just buy a 50 dollar sweater from swoop instead. Plus shipping

[@R1ZE5260]

Why did you feel guilty? It isn’t you who is to blame, sorry but that kinda talk sounds like you are the one cracking the whip. And we both know that ain’t true

[@Tasoq]

@@R1ZE5260 Plot twist, I am cracking the whip /s

[@R1ZE5260]

@@Tasoq ah shiii… Rule 1: always expect the unexpected

[@maurilaurent8119]

This one kicks home cause my own mother worked in the same conditions as Shein workers do now, they stiched so fast that everyday a seamtress would have a needle break and fly around, breaking a bone or popping an eye, and still continued to work with the broken bone and a hanging eye ball, because each time they left work they were punished by taking away their salary. Some clothes were stained with blood, dangerous chemicals and no one said anything cause their salary would had been denied. My mom got hit with 16 broken needles from her machine and other machines in a few months, thankfully she left very early and the business closed before 2010, all she knows of the distributor is that it was sold in retail stores in the USA.

[@melissastory1993]

This is why I’ve been mostly just making or upcycling my clothes and accessories or buying handmade/local lately. I’m tired of trying to figure out what’s good and what’s not. Also, I’ve been trying to buy less or just do clothing swaps. It’s hard not to feel fomo or feeling like I’m not keeping up with trends as quick as I “should” be, but when I make something unique and get compliments on it, it makes me feel a bit better.

[@SamanthaURen]

I wish ethically made clothing was more affordable. I’m lower income and sometimes I buy from Shein because of the affordability. I wish I didn’t have to

[@Killjoy_Mel]

or perhaps you review your consuming habits? I just had someone tell me that they only buy 20 pieces that aren't underwear a year. Twenty. Twenty new pieces. That is 1-2 pieces a month. And they honestly believed they were a modest shopper. Save up for a piece that needs replacing every three months. Teach yourself how tomeffectively thrift. I am low income and in Eastern Europe. All I want to ask you is how do you think poor people lived before fast fashion and bi-yearly trend cycles? Low income is not an excuse when most low income people in the world do not shop fast fashion.

[@David-sq2en]

@@Killjoy_Mel Ohhhh.... so you are low income living in a developing country... but you claim the clothes you buy are no cheap made in some sweat shop??? what you do? save your money and buy only italian made brands that pay well their tailor? Because i can almost imagine you buying contraband from china in some fleet market so to save money no even paying taxes... But im willing to be proven wrong... where you buy your clothes, are they ethically made... and how you manage to afford them?

[@emiliefontaine8800]

Second hand is a good alternative, you can get great stuff, and do not create new demand since the clothes are already existing. My wardrobe is 80% second hand. Like granny shirts made decades ago in my country, before everything got moved to the exploiting mass production plants... and we need to realize before shopping " do I need new shoes? new pants?" we shop while we already got dozens of stuff, eternal disatisfaction and chase for the quick dopamine fix. Its the world we live in that is toxic and make us believe that this never ending consumption/work cycle is our purpose in life.

[@sriv2167]

@@Killjoy_MelActually, a lot of low-income people do buy fast fashion. It’s a perfectly valid “excuse” because you never know what someone is going through, what difficulties they have in life. Tough decisions have to be made regardless, so how about not shaming people for making choices you don’t agree with. And who are you to judge another person’s economic background and deem them unworthy when it comes to “trying hard enough” to shop ethically?? I guarantee you don’t. Maybe you don’t shop fast fashion specifically, but the electronic device (phone/laptop/PC) you’re using to post your baseless comment to KZbin has been assembled in a sweatshop by children. You do not have the moral high ground just because you don’t do one particular thing that contributes to the exploitation of disenfranchised groups. Back up and look at yourself first before telling others to “review their consumption habits.”

[@MaryAnnMaldonado1994]

Right there with you...I also am plus sized, and either I shop at Walmart or Online...I feel your pain...

[@jessirarara]

This is why I tried to buy used clothes whenever possible. If I can help it I don't buy clothes from even Walmart. Let alone Shein. I get my clothes cheap and sustainably. An insane amount of waste in the world is FABRIC because of fast fashion. Buying at a local thrift store means keeping a perfectly good garment from the landfill. It also means you aren't adding to the environmental impacts (just of transporting new clothes to stores). Shoot I even do my very best to go to a local thrift store over a place like Goodwill or Salvation Army. My local store even ships unsold clothes to a company that shreds the clothing to recycle it into insulation for houses. And generally speaking my thrifted clothes last longer than new clothes. Why? Because Walmart is making their clothes with the intent for them to fall apart. Whereas that top I got at a thrift store was sturdy enough to survive being in someones closet for who knows how long that it became clothes they no longer wanted and decided to donate. There are other ways to get cheap clothes other than Shein folks.

[@MiraCassandre]

Exactly! I've been going to thrift stores, second hand sites. So much choices and very good prices. I've been telling ppl for years to choose that instead. 😔

[@MeowsyMcdermottEsq.]

Swoop: Takes lessons in order to properly pronounce Chinese names, etc Also Swoop: Pronounces it "edin-burg" I fkn love you, Queen. Fantastic and informative video, as always.

[@xMikomiChanx]

Was in the comments to see if anyone else clocked that 😂

[@sha8photo]

Hahahaha noticed that

[@Boop-beep-bap]

Swoop should do a little more research. Swastika is a holy symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, the pendant is harmless completely. The Naz* party used tilted reverse Swastika sign, which is concerning

[@Sharki_V]

@@Boop-beep-bap she literally touched on that in the doc.

[@Boop-beep-bap]

​@@Sharki_Vwhere?

[@because-strudels]

Not exactly related to Shein. but Whenever amazon gets mentioned in conjunction with business ethics controversy, all I remember is my time working at their warehouse. Limped around everywhere, bled through socks and had to keep bandaids because the ones I'd apply would peel off. anyone who wanted to use a restroom had to walk all the way to the end of the facility looking like an injured gazelle alone in plain sight of the supervisors (who just crabbed at us all day without moving a muscle because they just sat on plush stools in front of their laptops). everything you did was timed, itemized, individual employee needs be damned. squatting or sitting DURING ANNOUNCEMENTS was prohibited (note, we were nowhere near machinery for those etc), we were told to remain standing at attention. so people leaned on poles or fences/each other to bypass that "rule." funnily enough I do have fond memories, of sitting together with the other exhausted employees during our break amidst the endless hustle. kindest, funniest people i ever met, it was always a treat to sit on the warehouse steps with them as we watched the sun rise midway through the shift. another funny memory, everybody coveted the job where you have to constantly walk around holding a six foot stick (it was during the height of covid) and just walk around reminding people to keep six feet apart. but even if you got that "cushy" job, you were at it for almost 12 hours so your blisters still experienced the joy of being renewed. while worse jobs definitely exist, it was the most thankless job I personally ever worked, and everyone at amazon absolutely deserves so much better. luckily I got a different job. but whenever I think Im suffering, I remember the honest folks who I worked with, for some perspective. i think of them a lot.

[@tonksbond]

Not so fun fact: in Brazil, even with the clothes sold at Zara coming from sweatshops (this was a huge scandal back then, I remember it vividly), they werent affordable at all. Most pieces of clothing there were sold for 80+ (focus on the 'plus') Reais, the brazilian coin. For reference, the minimum wage back then was 540 Reais. Profit margins were sky high.

[@kjm5980]

Great doc! I have never purchased from SheIn for the reasons mentioned here and just hearing that the quality is terrible. Another massive concern is the sheer environmental impact of these companies. Even if their labor was all ethical, the earth cannot sustain what is happening now. Please look into the literal mountains of discarded clothing polluting Chile, Peru, and many countries in Africa. Clothing that is barely worn, of at all! As for Temu, again, even if their business is 100% ethical labor, the consumerism and consumption they promote is awful. Most people will buy a bunch of stuff they don't need, never use, and then just throw out. Then what?

[@painteddrake8889]

What's annoying for me is Shein was one of the only plus size clothes stores with actually nice and pretty plus size dresses. And now I feel I can't shop there so that sucks. Recommendations for plus size womens dresses that don't cost an arm and a leg accepted! Haha

[@tinilily]

26:34 as a half Hungarian half German who always hears names being butchered whenever news are talking about the other country (Germany Hungary) I am SOOO freaking impressed and oddly thankful you contacted someone to teach you how to pronounce a name of someone from another country instead of just going with the "Yeah, not going to be able to pronounce that". Really awesome!

[@aSHYNEscion]

Something that makes me sad about shein is it’s clothing for fat and bigger bodied folks is actually affordable unlike stores like torrid. I’ve never ordered from shein, but as a chubby person, I keep hearing about it in fat positive spaces. But now I know how fucked up it is and I definitely don’t plan to order from them. Thank you for this video!

[@sophieg840]

The curve range is amazing though. I've not found another plus size range i like. So yeah, hi, I'm the problem, its me!

[@igiveuponnames3966]

@@sophieg840 you are incredibly selfish to continue to buy clothing from Shein just for cute clothing when you know what keeps it running. Like gross.

[@knitwitchpgh]

​@@Younce_Davieswhile I get what you're saying, not everyone can afford a tailor. Spending $30+ on one shirt then still needing to pay a tailor is someone's grocery bill. This is the double edge sword. And at that point, who's to say the $30 shirt isn't also made from cheap labour. Its the industry. They have us fighting and shaming each other like "igiveup" there shaming "Sophie", when really it's the industry and the 1% greed

[@АнастасияВ-к4ц]

@@igiveuponnames3966 for cute clothing? For ONLY clothing. Like it's the only place I can buy jeans for example. I can't wear artificial cloth (acryl, polyester etc) and honestly options for plus size woman is very scarce. I don't live in USA where you can find like any size. Also try working full time for 500$ per month and afford tailored clothing at etsy or smth.

[@Sharki_V]

Thats the only reason i ever ordered from them. But now im never ordering from them again

[@sarahgould5435]

The sad thing is, with everything Shein is saving on labor and design costs due to sweatshops and IP theft, it's actually probably mire profitable for them to just keep paying the settlements.

[@stylis666]

Exactly, these levels of exploitation earn the company so much that it just works to pay settlements, encourage and bribe government officials to (not) implement certain laws to benefit the company, and to just flood the media with positive coverage to drown out any negative news. "Shein takes worker well being and supply chain transparency very seriously." They know what a bad reputation would do to them, so the steam roll over everything and they can and it earns them a lot of respect from certain people. From rich and powerful people to just people who vote for populist politicians who will make sure that this will be enabled and perpetuated. And if the rich and powerful are in your pocket you can get away with everything. We can all stop buying from them and they'll just issue a statement that they looked into something and that they "take it very seriously" and that everything is well withing regulations, then they pay some influencer to be happy about products they got and business continues as usual. That way most things won't even come to a settlement because no law has been broken, because all laws bend to the will of Shein even international laws.

[@barbarayater4895]

Exactly right. The only way to stop the horrible acts is to stop spending money with them. Sadly, most ppl just dont care.

[@ele1483]

im almost at the point where im forced to make my own shoes (15w) and learning things like sewing and crochet are amazing skills that really show you how much time skill and effort can go into making anything. people deserve to be compensated more for our demand here in america. its tragic really

[@LemonBarProductions]

GIRL ME TOO! I've been think about makingmy own shoes for YEARS!!!!!!!!

[@granmabern5283]

@@LemonBarProductionsDo it. There are videos on how to make Victorian style shoes.

[@Matthewcoxinsidetruecrim.e]

Chinese sweat shop owners bare no blame in horrid Chinese factory working conditions 🤨

[@nomorecallie]

the description of the work place / pov really helped me to imagine what it must be like working at these places. I think most people in the US shop shein because we are truly too privileged to even begin to imagine the reality of the places we monetarily support.

[@thatlady4098]

So ... I'm a 58 yr old artist out in BFE. KZbin and true crime are sometimes in the background. Stumbled upon you and HOLY SHIT you are FANTASTIC!

[@PettyUniversity]

Thank you for being part of the family!

[@dazzlingextremes389]

Yeah my daughter has been begging me to order stuff through this app and I refuse. Absolutely REFUSE. It's DISGUSTING what is done to these humans. Disgusting

[@baileyowens8800]

just popping in to say i appreciate SO MUCH that you went out of your way to learn the pronunciation of these names instead of taking the classic youtuber “i’m probably gonna butcher these names” way out. one of the many reasons you are SO wonderful !!! :^)

[@bridgetsmyser1227]

I am a totally fashion challenged engineer who only shops when the alternative is going to work in my PJs. What I know about fast fashion can be put into a matchbox without taking the matches out first. Information on stuff like this is therefore really valuable for knowing what to avoid during my rare moments of clothes buying. Thank you!

[@rainbow.exe.]

There's a reason people say "buy cheap, buy twice." As someone who grew up in poverty, I get the appeal of Shein and the thrill of being able to afford clothes that express your personality when you've never been able to have that before. But that polyester-spandex blend dress is gonna fall apart in 6 months. If it was only $5, why spend time repairing it if you can just buy another? And another, and another... It adds up. I'm not judging the folks who shop at Shein, but you deserve better than Halloween costume quality clothes. I used to wear a lot of fast fashion when I first started shopping for my own clothes. When I learned to sew, I started to see just how poorly constructed fast fashion garments are, and how much hard work goes into making a quality garment. I've moved on scouring secondhand sites and thrift stores for nice used and vintage garments, and it feels so much better. I understand not everyone can do this, but I just wanted to put it out there.

[@metaphysicswithariyana2794]

The need to be tried and punished, just like anybody else behaving so utterly badly as SHEIN has done.

[@medchan5810]

Having worked for the company, gotta say that Amazon gets as close to sweatshop as they can. The only reason they aren't fully there is because the government actually has given them a couple slaps on the wrist but uhhh... Yeah they're pretty bad. I say this having almost died for the company and I need a lawyer to help me get basic medical. 🙃

[@aileencarbonell9549]

I’m just at the beginning of your documentary and I’m in tears with your words because they speak the truth. I’m originally from another communist country and it’s bad but not as bad as China. Young people in my country have no future and I remember my mom struggling to feed me and my brothers on an everyday basis. I came to America a 15 year old girl from Cuba. I have been here over 24 years and have two daughters which I teach every day not to take for granted being born in America.

[@blackmirrorprisoners]

shein is part of the reason i started making my own clothes because they're the only place that stocks my size, that i can afford, let alone somewhere that has designs that i like and i couldn't stomach buying from them anymore. watching this makes me feel i made the right choice, especially thrifting most of my material. i knew it was bad but holy shit.

[@Talik13]

Swoop’s a real person who has real empathy, and this is what I love about her videos

[@talldarkstrangerpr]

Some designer in San Juan Fashion Week in Puerto Rico tried to pass some SHEIN clothing as his own and got caught. FYI 😂😂😂😂

[@iluvpinkandgold]

😂😂😂 that's crazy

[@banafanafofana6914]

omg I saw that yesterday how shameless, me dió vergüenza ajena severa XD

[@princesskristan]

REALLY?! I DIDN'T KNOW THIS! That's fucking comical

[@AndriaSilvaful]

What’s the designers name?

[@AndriaSilvaful]

@@banafanafofana6914 que es el nombre del diseñador?

[@sallyfield2895]

Legit this is part of the reason I love the good place. They discuss a similar line of thinking. Like dude I just want a pair of pants. Can it not cost 40$? that's food for my family. With all the other bs I have to deal with, sometimes I have to put the bigger picture stuff down so I can make it to tomorrow.

[@sftraub]

I grew up in the fashion/garment industry. My whole family was linked in some way. I worked for the largest privately owned women's clothing manufacturer. When so many labels turned to overseas manufacturing, we didn't. When those same companies went under because they could not ship goods that came in poorly made or got stuck in customs, we were safe and strong. Sadly, we have created our own sad situation. We 9verbuy, don't use what we buy and look for cheap prices rather than quality goods worth investing in. Yes, I do buy the occasional super low price item but I use it until it falls apart. These companies answer a demand. Stop the incessant shouting for more and we can make a change.

[@violetheise4717]

For me, this is one of those situations in which you should "do your best." For me, my best is not supporting Shein. I'm able to afford clothing I like and which will last long enough. Do I shop Amazon? Yes. Do I try to limit my shopping on there? Also yes. If you can do less harm by doing one thing over another, do that option.

[@knitwitchpgh]

YESSS I try and do this too. I recycle as much as I can buy sustainable when I can but accept that truly change will only come when we get that BUSINESSES to do better. We're all just out here trying to, as you said, do our best with our time on this rock.🖤 They make it hard as hell 😂

[@Persephone549]

This. But as someone who lives 30 miles from a Walmart that I go to biweekly we do shop Amazon a fair bit. Between not having things at Walmart (it's not one of the better ones stock wise) or not getting there frequently enough it's a necessity evil. Plus sometimes pricing at Amazon beats Walmart. Money isn't that prevalent here - especially with the rising food cost but we try to even this out by shopping small owned business both locally and worldwide. We like to splurge on these places for special gifts and the quality is well worth the wait - especially for a favored shop located in Sweden.

[@chinchilla6547]

TWO WEEKS FOR A FULL GARMENT?! Holy shit that’s fast. My mom works in the fashion industry and it usually takes months from design phase to being sold to customers. Most companies work a year in advance because of this. This is why more expensive apparel companies don’t keep up with fast fashion because the more quality designs and even safety stuff and everything that comes with one garment can’t keep up with surprise fashion trends.

[@Shannon_Vlogs]

I was literally just about to complement you on your pronunciation of the name after you said it. I’m glad that you took the time to speak to someone who might help you with that. It shows real dedication!

[@leahbelieva]

In my mind there is a difference between your average person buying a few things from Shein once in a while and these tiktokers buying hundreds of dollars of crap that they’re just going to throw away to make room for next week’s haul. Especially since most influencers shown appear to be straight sized. If you CAN afford sustainable clothing and they make it in your size, why in the world would you spend $600 on shitty clothes? It’s ALL part of the problem, don’t get me wrong, but some practices are worse than others.

[@andeggbreaks]

Absolutely this

[@EllieBelle1993]

Yes absolutely some practices are worse than others but with these influencers being a big part of the problem, they make it even worse by promoting the brand so then hundreds or thousands of people then order from them and I’m sure we can agree at least half of that stuff is either trash/ returned (to then go into a landfill)/ never used until thrown out later…. That’s the big problem If you order from them and use that stuff to the fullest okay, that’s better… for sure! But that’s not the most likely scenario unfortunately

[@ladeekatt]

New sub, just wow. The thorough and digestible deep dives are amazing. I came for the Sad Milk video, and stayed for the amazing content! As a plus-sized woman who lives on Social Security, finding anything fashion-forward is either horrendous looking, or it costs more than my car payment for one put-together outfit, so this controversy hits close to home. I just can't stomach the idea of looking good on the backs of others. I just have to get really creative. Repurposed clothes, thrift shops, and only buying essentials that can be used for a multitude of purposes. If we, the consumer, don't stop buying then it will never end. As long as we are willing to trade other people's well-being in the name of looking good, things will continue. Someone really important to me once said that we show people how we're willing to be treated. Right now what we're saying is, "I want to look like I have good fashion sense, and if you can provide it, no matter the consequences, we'll keep buying."

[@sha8photo]

I ended up purchasing from Shein while pregnant. I could NOT find maternity clothes where I lived, in my size, that weren’t $400 a pop. I’m not spending that on clothes I’m going to wear for months…. But like, I gotta wear something?? Wouldn’t be comfortable purchasing now, knowing what I do, but I don’t judge my past self for her choices.

[@nyx6937]

I wouldn't judge any pregnant woman for shopping on Shein, knowing it's for clothes that are going to fit a few weeks at best, and knowing that all other fast fashion retailer have the same drawback as Shein, as do a number of well known brands who are expected to be sustainable: Nike and Benetton come to mind.

[@no_prisoners6474]

I honestly don’t understand what the outrage is about. Americans are privileged and boycott a brand because of a phone case 🙄

[@GardensOfChina]

I got mine second hand and people seem a bit surprised that I would

[@GardensOfChina]

@@no_prisoners6474oh you don’t care about child labour and lead poisoning

[@gilliansmith60]

I work in a charity shop, sorting the clothes and more than a couple of times we've had Shein donations , so far the items have been grossly mis-sized, ie a UK size 10-12 being labelled as XL, one time the quality was rubbish. So far all the Shein we've received Ive instantly put in our rag bag as the items weren't good enough for us to resell