Shein vs. Zulily: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Shein is a fast-fashion giant that offers an enormous catalog of trend-driven clothing at extremely low prices, with new styles added daily. In contrast, Zulily operates on a flash-sale model, featuring curated daily deals on clothing, home goods, and toys, often from boutique or brand-name labels at a discount.

Let's look at the key differences to help you decide which online retailer matches your shopping style.

Shein: The Global Fast-Fashion Giant

Shein is an online-only retailer that has become a dominant force in the fashion world by selling up-to-the-minute trends at rock-bottom prices. Its target audience is primarily Gen Z and millennial shoppers who want to experiment with new styles without a big financial commitment. The brand's model is built on speed, constantly adding thousands of new items to its site every week, covering everything from everyday basics to bold party outfits.

• Product mix: A vast inventory of women's, men's, and children's apparel, accessories, shoes, beauty products, and home decor. The key feature is the constant influx of new, trend-inspired items.
• Price point: Extremely affordable. Tops can be found for under $5, dresses for $10-$20, and most accessories are under $10. Frequent coupons and flash sales make prices even lower.
• Quality: Quality can be inconsistent. Most items are made from inexpensive synthetic materials like polyester. While some pieces are surprisingly durable for the price, many are designed for short-term wear and may not hold up well after multiple washes.
• Style & Aesthetic: The style is fast, youthful, and heavily influenced by social media trends and runway looks. It's the place to go for specific, of-the-moment pieces you see all over TikTok or Instagram.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is notoriously inconsistent across different items due to numerous suppliers. Shein offers a wide range of sizes, including extensive plus and petite collections, but reading individual product reviews and checking measurements is essential.
• Sustainability & Ethics: The brand faces frequent criticism for its high-volume production model, impact on the environment, and questions about its labor practices.

Shein excels at delivering the latest trends on an extreme budget, making it a go-to for shoppers who prioritize variety and affordability over longevity and sustainability.

Shop Shein: shein.com

Zulily: The Curated Daily Deals Destination

Zulily is an e-commerce retailer known for its daily "flash sales." It offers a constantly changing assortment of products for women, kids, and the home, often from lesser-known boutique brands or surplus stock from larger names. The shopping experience is centered around discovery, as you never know what you'll find each day. Zulily is particularly popular with parents looking for deals on children's clothing, toys, and family-oriented products.

• Product mix: Apparel for the whole family, footwear, toys, home décor, kitchenware, and unique gifts. The selection is highly curated and changes every 24-72 hours based on themed sales events.
• Price point: Prices are higher than Shein's but represent a significant discount off typical retail prices. Clothing items generally range from $10 to $50. The value proposition is getting better quality items for less, not just the lowest price possible.
• Quality: Because Zulily features a wide variety of brands, quality varies, but it is generally a step up from typical fast fashion. You can find well-made clothing, durable home goods, and reputable toy brands.
• Style & Aesthetic: The aesthetic is more family-friendly, classic, and boutique-inspired. While you can find trendy pieces, the focus is more on timeless, seasonal collections and unique finds rather than disposable fast-fashion trends.
• Sizing/Fit: Fit tends to be more reliable than Shein's, as many products come from established brands with more consistent sizing standards. However, since brands vary, it's still wise to check any listed size charts.
• Shipping: Shipping times can be significantly longer than at other retailers. Because Zulily often orders items from brands only after a sale ends, it can take several weeks for an order to arrive.

Zulily is ideal for patient shoppers who enjoy discovering unique-yet-practical items at a discount and prioritize value and quality over having the latest fleeting trend.

Shop Zulily: zulily.com

Shein vs. Zulily Comparison

Price Comparison

Shein is the clear winner on pure price. With tops under $10, dresses under $20, and a constant stream of "90% off" sales, it is one of the cheapest online clothing stores available. It's built for shoppers looking to get the maximum number of items for the least amount of money.

Zulily focuses on value rather than the lowest cost. Its prices are discounted from what you’d pay in a traditional store but are noticeably higher than Shein's. A t-shirt might be $15 instead of $5, but it likely comes from a brand with better construction. The real value is in finding higher-quality or brand-name goods for 30-70% off their original price.

Quality & Materials

The trade-off for Shein’s ultra-low prices is often seen in its quality. Garments are typically made from lightweight, synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon. While functional for trendy pieces, they often lack the durability and feel of natural fibers or better-blended fabrics. Stitching can be weak, and items may not survive heavy use or repeated washing.

Zulily offers generally better quality. Since it sources from various boutique and established brands, the materials and construction are more in line with traditional retail standards. You’re more likely to find clothing made from cotton, better-quality knits, and more durable materials for home goods. Quality can still vary between brands, but the overall baseline is higher than Shein’s.

Style & Aesthetic

Shein is all about speed and trends. Its aesthetic is loud, youthful, and explicitly designed to replicate the latest styles seen on social media and runways. If you're looking for a specific cut-out top, a viral dress, or an experimental accessory, Shein is the place to look.

Zulily is much more curated and timeless. Its style feels more like browsing a local boutique or a department store clearance rack. The aesthetic is family-friendly, classic, and focused on seasonal needs rather than fast-moving fads. This makes it a better choice for building a lasting wardrobe or decorating a home.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing is one of the biggest challenges when shopping on Shein. Because inventory comes from so many different suppliers, there is no standardized sizing. A size Large in one dress might fit completely differently than a Large in another. It's crucial for shoppers to read user reviews, view customer photos, and check the specific measurements provided for each item. However, their inclusion of extensive plus, petite, and tall-size options is a significant benefit.

Sizing on Zulily is generally more reliable. Because it features products from established brands, you can expect their fits to be more consistent with standard U.S. sizing. While it's still a good idea to consult size charts, you are less likely to encounter the extreme variations found on Shein.

Shopping Experience

Shein offers a fast, typical e-commerce experience. Its website and app are easy to navigate, with robust filters for size, color, and style. The checkout process is simple, and shipping is relatively quick, often arriving within one to two weeks. The experience is designed for quick, decisive purchasing.

The Zulily experience is built around discovery and is intentionally slower. Daily sales events create a sense of urgency, but the final shipping process is notably long. Orders are often consolidated and shipped from vendors after events close, meaning delivery can take several weeks. It's a platform for bargain hunters who are happy to wait for a good deal, not for someone who needs an outfit by the weekend.

Sustainability & Ethics

Shein is the definition of a fast-fashion company and has faced intense scrutiny regarding its environmental impact and labor practices. The brand's model encourages a culture of disposable clothing, contributing to textile waste. While the company has started making statements about sustainability, its core business remains a subject of ethical concern for many consumers.

Zulily’s model of selling overstock and past-season items from other brands can be seen as a more sustainable practice, as it helps prevent existing products from going to a landfill. However, as a marketplace for dozens of brands, its overall ethical footprint depends on the individual vendors it works with.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends entirely on your shopping priorities, budget, and patience.

Choose Shein if:

• You're on a very tight budget and want the absolute lowest price.
• You love to experiment with super trendy styles that you may only wear a few times.
• You need an outfit quickly for a specific event and don't care about long-term durability.
• You don't mind spending time reading reviews and checking measurements to get the right fit.

Choose Zulily if:

• You are shopping for your whole family, especially for children's clothes and toys.
• You prefer finding unique, boutique-style items over mass-produced trends.
• You value better quality and are willing to pay a little more for it.
• You enjoy the "thrill of the hunt" and are not in a rush to receive your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shein or Zulily cheaper?

Shein is significantly cheaper. Its business model is built around offering trendy items for as little as a few dollars, making it one of the most affordable online fashion retailers.

Which brand has better quality clothing?

Zulily generally offers better quality clothing. Because it sources from a mix of boutique and established brands, the materials and construction are often a step up from the fast-fashion items sold on Shein.

Is Shein sizing accurate?

Shein sizing can be very inconsistent. Sizes vary widely between different products, so it is necessary to check the specific measurements and customer reviews for each item you are interested in before buying.

How long does Zulily shipping take?

Zulily shipping is known for being slow. Because items are often shipped from the vendor after a sales event ends, it can take 2-4 weeks or longer for your order to arrive. This model helps keep their prices low.

Which is better for kids' clothes?

Zulily is generally considered better for kids' clothes. It frequently features well-known children's brands like Carter's, Melissa & Doug (for toys), and other boutique childrenswear lines, offering great deals on quality items.

Can you find brand-name items on either site?

Shein primarily sells its own in-house brands. Zulily, on the other hand, is built on partnerships with other brands, so you can often find discounted items from popular names in fashion, home, and beauty.

What are the return policies?

Shein has a fairly standard return policy, typically allowing returns within 35-45 days of purchase for a refund. Zulily has a much more restrictive return policy. Due to its flash sale model, many items are marked as final sale and cannot be returned unless they are damaged or defective.

Is Zulily a trustworthy site?

Yes, Zulily is a legitimate and trustworthy online retailer. While shipping times are long and the return policy is strict, it is a well-established company known for delivering the products it advertises. The key is to understand its unique business model before ordering.