If you scroll long enough on Instagram or TikTok, you’ll come across Cider or Shein content. They are global fashion retailers that sell fashion and beauty products at affordable prices.
Shein and Cider are undoubtedly fast fashion brands that many people gravitate toward because their clothing is both fashionable and affordable. Let’s take a look at what each brand has to offer and which one you should go with.
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What’s Shein and Cider?
Shein is a fashion and lifestyle retailer that ships to over 150 countries. It was launched in 2012 and has since grown to be one of the most popular fashion retailers globally.
Shein is a big part of current fashion because it tailors its product to young adult preferences; people are constantly talking about Shein on almost all social media platforms, so it’s one of the brands you’ll always come across.
Cider is relatively new in comparison to Shein, having launched in 2020. It is similar to Shein in so many ways, but what made this brand stand out to customers is its colorful designs and the shop-by-mood category.
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of fashion items to find what suits your aesthetic, Cider has curated categories to suit your mood, e.g whimsical, cute, grunge, and more.
Shein or Cider- Whose Clothing Quality Is Better?
Shein customers’ reviews have always been mixed; some customers love it and some regret their purchase. Customers have complained about poorly sewn dresses and poor clothing quality; clothing color fades quickly and stitches fall out after the first or second wash.
But Shein is a fast fashion brand that offers affordable and trendy clothing that is difficult to find elsewhere, so you’re not getting a terrible deal.
The majority of Cider reviews have been positive, with many people expressing their appreciation for the material’s quality and the neatness of its stitches. But Cider isn’t without critiques; many people have complained about the delivery time, refund hassles, and missing items, but the majority of the complaints aren’t about the clothing quality.
Do Shein and Cider Carry My Size?
Shein and Cider are proudly inclusive brands, with sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, so you’re likely to find your size. However, their size guide can be a little off.
Lots of Shein customers complain that the sizes run small. Many customers have recommended disregarding the standard size chart and using measurements instead.
In Cider’s case, it’s the reverse; most cider customers have complained about the size running a little large and have been advised to go by measurements rather than sizes.
Pro Tip: When ordering from either Shein or Cider, check customer reviews and look at the item description.
The product description states whether the cloth is a regular fit, oversize fit, or slim fit, which will help you decide how you want the cloth to fit on your body. For example, if you’d like a tight-fitting dress, it would be nice to size down if the item is an oversize fit.
Is Shein Cheaper than Cider?
Shein has been the go-to fashion retailer since its inception in 2012. Shein offers incredibly low-cost clothing, accessories, and beauty products. To be honest, Shein’s prices are extremely difficult to beat; most of its products range between $10 and $50, which is extremely low when compared to most fashion retailers.
Cider is slightly more expensive than Shein in most of its clothing categories. But its clothing is made of higher quality materials than Shein’s. So, while Cider items may cost more, you are getting good value for your money.
Categories
Cider and Shein both sell clothing for women, men, children, and accessories.
Women
Both the Shein and Cider women categories offer a wide range of clothing, including dresses, outerwear, activewear, swimwear, shoes, accessories, and more. Both Shein and Cider allow you to filter through their websites to find what you’re looking for faster by using subcategories.
For example, if you’re looking for a prom dress, both Cider and Shein allow you to immediately filter through their subcategories, by selecting “prom dresses”. This is extremely helpful because it allows you to find clothing that matches your search within seconds.
Men
You can also change a wide selection of men’s clothing and accessories from both Shein and Cider. Both retailers offer fantastic deals on bottoms, active wear, formal clothing, shoes, and other items.
Children
Cider’s target audience is teenagers to adults; they do not currently have a children’s clothing session.
Shein has a section dedicated to children’s clothing, with subcategories for babies, children, preteens, teenagers, and maternity wear. You can also get children’s accessories such as jewelry, and toys on Shein.
Seasonal Clothing
Cider and Shein both sell seasonal clothing all year. When the season changes, they also offer discounted prices on seasonal clothing. For example, when it’s summer, you’ll get a discount on summer clothing.
Delivery and Shipping
Cider and Shein both offer express and standard shipping. Its standard shipping takes roughly 5- 8 business days, while express shipping takes approximately 4-6 business days.
Cider provides free standard shipping when you spend more than $39. It charges a flat fee of $16 per item for express shipping.
Shein’s shipping is slightly less expensive than Cider’s, costing about $4 per item with standard shipping and offering free shipping on orders over $29. Shein charges $12.9 for express shipping and free shipping on orders over $129.
Cider and Shein have different shipping arrangements depending on the country. Shein does not offer express shipping to all countries, but it does offer discounts to customers when their order reaches a certain amount.
Cider also does not offer express shipping to all countries; however, for countries where It does not offer express shipping, the delivery window is typically 5-10 business days. It also provides discounts for orders of a certain value.
Cider and Shein- FAQ
Is Shein and Cider Ethical?
Keep in mind that Cider and Shein are both fast fashion brands, so being ethical may be difficult for them to navigate. But they have always maintained that they are socially responsible brands.
Cider, for example, claims to use recyclable packaging as well as recycled fabrics. It also claims to ensure that its supply chain is demand-driven to reduce fashion waste.
The majority of their clothing is pre-order, so they make the clothes as you order, which helps to reduce product waste and the likelihood of waste.
How Can I Track My Order on Shein vs Cider?
You can track your order on both Shein and Cider. They both notify you when your order has been processed and shipped, as well as the estimated delivery date.
If your order takes longer than expected to be delivered, both companies will most likely notify you of the reason for the delay. You can also contact their customer service if your order hasn’t arrived within the expected time frame; both have a response time of about 24 hours.
Can My Order Go Missing on Shein vs Cider?
Typically, it shouldn’t but if it does, you can contact customer support or both Shein and Cider.
Returns
Shein and Cider take different approaches to return policies. Cider gives you 14 days from the date of delivery to request a return or refund. You have to ship the item within 7 days of initiating your return request; if you choose to receive a refund, you should receive it within 5 working days.
Also, only your first return on every order on Cider is free, but you’ll have to pay for subsequent returns. So, if you want to return items, ensure you send them at once.
Shein’s return policy states that you must initiate a return or refund within 35 days of purchase. Shein, like Cider, offers free returns on the first package of each order; subsequent returns with the same order cost $7.99.
The Bottom Line– Shein or Cider?
If you’re looking for an affordable and trendy clothing alternative to Shein, Cider might be a good option for you. Both brands offer low-cost fast fashion, but customer reviews suggest that Cider provides better quality than Shein. Cider’s clothing may be slightly more expensive, but it may be worth it.
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