Shein

I agree. Does anyone’s life depend on buying cheap stuff or are they just feeding a ‘I must buy more clothes/whatever/spend money’ addiction? I see it on GN but obviously won’t name names.

"Good quality" can still be forced labour.

Re Shein,
It appears that Uyghur forced labor is used to make its low-priced apparel and home goods. [Reuters]

I cannot buy from them.

Having now been made aware of the conditions of the workforce I will let my family members know.

Hopefully they will not purchase anything else from Shein, they are fortunate that they can afford shop elsewhere, I am mindful that many people cannot.

How can "they", Shein, force anything when they are simply a platform for seller's to showcase their goods?

In 2022, the BBC revealed that workers in Indian factories working for Ralph Lauren were routinely exploited. “Women working at a Ralph Lauren supplier said they had been forced to stay overnight to complete orders, sometimes requiring them to sleep on the factory floor,” reports the BBC.

The report also found that the world’s largest luxury brands are among the worst offenders in addressing the worse forms of exploitation in their supply chains, with an average score of 31 out of 100.

French luxury goods company Kering (owner of the Alexander McQueen and Gucci labels) scored 41 out of 100, while LVMH (owner of the Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton labels) scored 19 out of 100. Tapestry (owner of the Coach and Kate Spade labels), assessed for the first time this year, scored 16 out of 100.

Just checked labels from some of my clothes , 3 items from The White Stuff made in Bangladesh , a Roman dress made in China a Whistles dress and a couple of Sainsbury’s TU jumpers made in Turkey.
Most of these not cheap brands but I haven’t a clue of the human rights or working conditions of the manufacturers they use, I suspect not good.

Apart from their appalling treatment of workers , companies like Shein and Temu are also suspected of misusing the details of customers and collaboration with the Chinese Government to undermine western economies.

You can look up ethical ratings on this site, or there are others

thegoodshoppingguide.com/subject/ethical-fashion-retailers/

I think my point was it isn't just fashion, but stuff we buy and need all the time. It just isn't possible to be 'fully' ethical, especially when buying on-line It is a horrible trap we've all been caught in.

keepingquiet

I think my point was it isn't just fashion, but stuff we buy and need all the time. It just isn't possible to be 'fully' ethical, especially when buying on-line It is a horrible trap we've all been caught in.

It is possible, it’s just a lot of effort. You have to do your homework before you buy anything to find out where it’s coming from.

I try to avoid supporting unethical brands by buying almost everything second hand. Not just clothing but furniture, electrical items, technology (laptop and phone).

Companies base their policies on how much and what they are selling, and at what price. So every time you buy a brand new item, you are giving them data which will affect their future sourcing of goods. So if Shein, Temu etc. are selling lots of clothes made in slavery-like conditions, they will continue to source them from there as their prime motive (like most businesses) is to make a profit.

Buying second hand doesn't 'feed' this, even if the actual items were made in China, are Shein branded etc.

good point choghdancer- though I am getting some new glasses today? Should I ask where they were made?
I am catching a bus- should I find out where the parts came from and where my bus pass was made?
I will be going for lunch- how do I know who was exploited in the supplying of that food?
I am seeing an art exhibition- will I check where the paints and materials are from?
It is impossible to know, we have become so inter-dependent.
I also use charity shops where possible, and really try to re-use and buy ethically but on a low income it just isn't viable.

keepingquiet I don't think it's necessarily harder to be ethical online. Both involve work.
What makes you think this?

You are right that having more disposable income give you more choices though.

MissAdventure

You can look up ethical ratings on this site, or there are others

thegoodshoppingguide.com/subject/ethical-fashion-retailers/

That’s only if you download the app.

I hope non of the vegetarians or vegans were any Nike products.

goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-nike/

Obviously that should read ware

Wallis is awarded only 8 points more than Shein, in terms of ethical practice, while Chanel is also in the "could do better" list.

I never engage with companies such as Shein or Temu, for various reasons

I will not knowingly buy from a manufacturer which uses forced or slave labour to make its goods

I try very hard to avoid buying anything made in China, for the above reason and because I think they are deliberately trying to undercut UK and European manufacturers and force them out of business with its implications for the economies of those countries

Anything made in China is under the control of the Chinese government, there is no 'free enterprise'

Temu have long been accused of data gathering.

Being unable to afford something is not a good enough reason to buy an item produced cheaply on the back of someone else's misery and fear. Buy less, buy better, buy second hand.

petra

I hope non of the vegetarians or vegans were any Nike products.

goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-nike/

Nope, this vegetarian doesn't. As a carnivore, do you?

shein is a chinese company based in Singapore. there clothes are great for young people. i use temu and have bought some lovely tops from them, temu is also a chinese company but there headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

How about wearing Chanel perfume?
Plenty wear it, it seems.

Joules, also fares badly..

MissAdventure

Joules, also fares badly..

Oh, does it? That bothers me as I am a fan.