I’ve been shopping from fast fashion sites like Shein and Temu for years, and in that time, I’ve learned a lot. I want to share some of those lessons so you can figure things out much faster than I did 😉

Quality
Over the years, the quality on fast fashion sites has actually improved, especially since they began allowing third-party sellers. Sometimes I still receive pieces that feel especially cheap, but other times I’m genuinely surprised. I’ll go into physical stores and find items that, to my untrained eye and touch, feel pretty much the same.

Measurements
Each seller uses their own sizing system, so you can’t rely on sticking to a standard Small or Large. Instead, I memorized one key measurement, my shoulders, and use that as my baseline when ordering. I always hover over the size chart and check the exact measurements instead of guessing. Since doing this, I rarely order the wrong size.

Sales
Here’s the truth: the constant “sales” are mostly a marketing tool. They’re designed to gamify shopping and give you a dopamine rush. In reality, they rarely lower prices in any meaningful way. I even tested this by tracking my cart over Black Friday, and the total only dropped by about $10. Don’t fall for the illusion.

Tailoring
If you spent $20 on a dress, it’s usually not worth tailoring it. Alterations can easily cost more than the item itself. And even if you’re willing to pay for it, it doesn’t always work—there may not be enough fabric, or the material might be too low quality to handle adjustments. For alternatives, check out my post Quick Fixes for Not-So-Perfect Clothes.

Denim
One pleasant surprise: a lot of their denim pieces are actually real denim. As long as the listing doesn’t say “denim print” or “denim-like,” you’ll usually get that classic thick fabric—whether it’s blue, black, white, or another color.