How Gen Z is finding quality clothes on a budget

Shein, the ultra-cheap online fast-fashion retailer that went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange this week, is being used by some Gen Z shoppers as a way to stretch budgets without abandoning style goals. Atlanta data analyst and part-time stylist Uchenna Chukwuka, 29, says her “cheat code” is shopping for durability cues—checking fabric composition, garment construction, and whether pieces are double-lined. She also weighs buyer reviews, especially those with photos. A $20 trench coat she bought while in college still fits her years later. She estimates Shein has saved her thousands, which she’s put toward a first home and travel, like Bali. A 2025 Tinuiti study found Shein narrowly beat Amazon as Gen Z’s top apparel checkout site.