WowStore vs Shein: A neutral shopper's comparison checklist

Use this neutral checklist to decide which shop works for what you need right now. No bias, just actionable checks.

Start with what you actually need

Don't start by comparing shops. Start by writing down one thing you are looking for right now. Is this a top you will wear twice for a weekend event? Is this a coat you want to keep for three winters? There is no right answer here.

Once you know what you need the item for, you know which details matter. If you will only wear something twice, you will care about different things than if you will wash it every week for a year. That is the only fair way to compare any two shops.

You can use this exact checklist for any two shops, not just these two. No one else can tell you which is right for you. Only you know how you will use the thing you are buying.

For example: a €60 coat worn 60 times costs €1 per wear. A €15 coat worn 10 times costs €1.50 per wear. Do that simple sum for yourself first.

Check what is published on product pages

On any shop, open a product page for the exact type of item you want. Do not look at home page promises. Look only at what is written on the individual product page.

Where the maker provides it, WowStore product pages show fabric weight, wash instructions, fit notes and actual garment measurements. Scroll down past the photos. This information is not present on every page.

On any shop you are comparing, check: can you see the measurements of the actual garment? Can you see how to wash it? If this information is missing, that is a choice the shop has made. You are entitled to notice that.

If you are not sure what different fabric details mean, you can reference our Fabric care guide. You may also browse Everyday Clothing to see how product pages are laid out here.

Try before you buy tools

Next thing to compare: what tools does the shop give you to avoid ordering mistakes?

WowStore has avatar try on, on product pages where this tool is available. You can also place home items into a photo of your own room with Magic Mirror · Home. There is also the Mix & Match Studio to test how pieces work together, and the Virtual Closet to plan outfits with things you already own. Lucy the AI stylist is available to ask questions about fit or combinations.

You can try these tools before you order.

On any other shop, check what tools they offer. Do they give you anything other than studio photos? Can you check fit on your own shape? Every bad order costs you time and hassle, not just money.

Sizing and fit support

Sizing is a common reason people return clothes. This is not about your body, this is about how the shop shares information.

On WowStore you will find a free Size calculator on pages where this is enabled. You can also view the general size guide.

When comparing any shop: do they only list standard S/M/L labels? Do they show actual measured lengths, chest widths and hip widths? Do they tell you if the item runs large or small?

If you wear plus sizes, check the full available range first. Not every shop carries the same size brackets. You can browse Plus Size here on WowStore.

Delivery, returns and support

Never trust claims written on the front page of any shop. Always go directly to the full policy page, and read the fine print.

You can view WowStore's Shipping policy and Returns policy at any time. These pages are updated whenever anything changes.

When comparing: does the shop tell you clearly before you pay what shipping will cost? Does it tell you how returns work, and who pays for return postage? Are contact details easy to find?

You will not regret checking this. Many people place an order, then only read the policy once something goes wrong.

What happens after you pay

Last thing on the checklist: where does your money go?

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose.

When comparing any shop, check what they publish about this. It is your money. You get to decide what you are comfortable with.

At the end of the day there is no universal right choice. For some things one shop will make sense for you. For other things the other will. That is normal. You do not have to pick one shop for everything. You can use this checklist every single time you order.

If you would like to browse what we have available, you can start with New Arrivals or Lucy's Picks.

How giving works when you shop with us

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. After your order you pick one of three causes: CARE International, Cool Earth or Project Zero. The donation is paid out through PayPal Giving Fund UK. Those three causes, together with how we run our own store (honest product data, fair prices), are matched to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

That is the heart of the 1% Movement: small choices × millions of us = change. It is a giving promise we can show you, and it is the only promise we make on this page.

Questions people ask

Should I buy from WowStore or Shein?

That depends entirely on what you are buying and how you will use it. Use this checklist to compare for your specific order. There is no answer that is right for every person or every item.

Does WowStore have try on tools?

Yes. Where available, you can try items on your avatar or preview home items in your own space. You can try the tools before you order.

How do I check the real value of an item?

Do a simple cost per wear calculation. Divide the price by the number of times you realistically expect to use the item. This works for clothes, home goods and accessories.

Can I return items ordered from WowStore?

Full rules are published on the returns policy page. Always check this before you place any order, on any shop.