The Good, the Trendy, the Timeless: Analysis on Shein, Hollister, and Aritzia.

Shein, Hollister, and Aritzia. All staples that you can find in a typical teenage girl’s closet. But… how do they actually compare? From clothing options to quality to sustainability, these brands have their similarities—but also some major differences. Let’s break it all down. 

Clothing Choices: 

 First up: Shein. If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling through their endless pages of clothes (because same), you know they have everything. Seriously—crop tops, Y2K skirts, business casual, prom dresses, Halloween costumes, things you didn’t even know you needed… Shein’s got it. But, there’s a catch (and a slightly terrifying one at that). Ever noticed that warning about chemicals on their site? Yeah. Not great. Plus, their quality can be so hit or miss—one wash and suddenly your “perfect” going-out top is now a doll-sized crop top.  Then there’s Hollister—the brand I swore wasn’t fast fashion… until I found out it totally is. (Oops.) They jump on trends just like Shein, but their stuff is way pricier, even though it doesn’t cost much to make. You’re basically paying for the vibe of being a beachy, effortlessly cool girl. Their basics are decent, but they’re still producing tons of trendy pieces that’ll probably be out in a few months.  And then we have Aritzia. The cool older sister of the bunch. Unlike Shein and Hollister, Aritzia focuses more on quality over quantity. Their collections are a mix of classic, timeless pieces and some trendier options, but nothing too out-there. You’ll find investment pieces that last years rather than just a season. Plus, Aritzia isn’t just one brand—it’s a collection of multiple brands under one roof, which is why their quality tends to be noticeably better. 

Sustainability: Or, Who’s Destroying The Planet the Fastest?

We all know fast fashion isn’t exactly great for the environment, but just how bad are these brands?  Shein is… well, let’s be honest, the worst. Their production is insanely fast, churning out new styles every day, which means tons of waste, pollution, and unethical labor practices. Most of their clothes are made of cheap materials like polyester (aka plastic), which aren’t biodegradable and end up in landfills. And because the quality is often low, people throw Shein clothes away fast. It’s literally designed to be disposable fashion.  Hollister is slightly better, but still far from sustainable. They’ve made some promises about using better materials and reducing waste, but at the end of the day, they’re still pushing trends that encourage overconsumption. The difference is that their pieces might last longer than Shein’s, but they’re still producing a lot of trendy, short-lived clothing.  Then there’s Aritzia. While they’re not 100% sustainable (because, let’s be real, almost no brand is), they are making an effort. They use higher-quality fabrics, have some ethical sourcing initiatives, and are at least trying to be more environmentally responsible. Their clothes also last way longer, so you’re less likely to toss them after a few wears.

 So…Which One Is Worth It?

If you’re looking for cheap, trendy pieces for a one-time wear, Shein will always be there (but at what cost??). If you like trendier items and don’t mind spending more, Hollister is an option—though not the most sustainable one. But if you want quality, timeless pieces that will actually last, Aritzia is hands-down the winner.  At the end of the day, shopping sustainably isn’t always easy, and sometimes we all cave for a trendy piece (guilty). But being mindful of where our clothes come from—and where they end up—is something worth thinking about. So next time you’re shopping, ask yourself: Will I actually wear this? Or is this just another fast-fashion fling

Ming Zheng