Is AliExpress Fast Fashion?

AliExpress is a global e-commerce giant known for its affordable product prices. However, while it offers a broad selection of products, it still also qualifies as a fast-fashion enterprise because of the kind of fashion stores that are hosted on the platform. 

Come along as we explore more about fast fashion, AliExpress’s role in it, and some top fast fashion brands you should know about. 

What Is Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion refers to brands or clothing manufacturers that consistently produce high volumes of clothing based on current fashion trends. They are able to achieve this because modern technologies allow them to produce clothing in bulk at a much lower cost.

Customers, on the other hand, benefit from this approach because they can keep their wardrobes up to date with current clothing styles at affordable prices. 

Reasons Why AliExpress is Fast Fashion

When most shoppers think of AliExpress fashion may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Still, a quick survey on the platform reveals that it is indeed a fast fashion enterprise, and here is why.

A Designated Fast Fashion Category

AliExpress has a designated category where buyers can specifically find fast fashion items. It is frequently updated to showcase the latest designs on offer which is right in line with the whole principle of fast fashion. 

The Clothing Items Meet Fast Fashion Standards

Most of the fashion items listed on AliExpress are sold at affordable prices and comprise a selection of the latest design trends in the fashion world. This, once again, lives up to the goal of fast fashion to make it easy for customers to buy cheap trendy clothing on the regular.

Less Emphasis On Quality

Fast fashion items are not always low quality but they are not classic pieces designed to last either. The fashion items on AliExpress live up to this because customers rate them fairly well but it is not uncommon to come across reviews highlighting quality issues. They may not be dire issues but they resonate with how fast fashion emphasizes high volumes and trends over-attention to detail. 

Does AliExpress Only Sell Fast Fashion?

No, it offers much more. Granted, there are lots of fast fashion items on AliExpress because they match the platform’s theme of vast product variety at affordable prices. However, you can also find lots of high-quality and sustainable fashion items on AliExpress listed in other categories. 

Conclusion

Fast fashion elicits mixed feelings from customers. Some question it because of its impact on the environment and the quality issues of some fast fashion items. Meanwhile, a high number also appreciate it because fast fashion makes it possible for them to afford new trendy clothing even on a lean budget. 

The upside to AliExpress is that it offers enough variety for you to source fast fashion or sustainable fashion items, depending on what your customers may prefer. 

However, if you have a hard time sifting through the countless fashion items listed on the platform, there’s no need to worry. We are certified AliExpress agents and can help you find exactly what you need. We can also handle order fulfillment for your business and provide other forms of logistical support. Contact us to learn more about one-stop services. 

FAQs 

1. 10 Fast Fashion Brands You Should Know

If you plan to venture into selling fast fashion, here are some fast fashion brands that you can look out for. 

UNQLO

Uniqlo has its roots in Japan but has grown into an international brand with a presence in the USA, Europe, Asia, and other regions. It produces casual clothing, for women, children, and men, for day-to-day wear.

Uniqlo designs are modern and stylish but the company does not necessarily scramble to imitate each trend that comes along. Instead, design themes are refreshed or innovated almost weekly based on what customers show interest in. The pieces also stand out because Uniqlo is heavily invested in innovating special fabrics that are more comfortable and provide a better fit of clothing.

SHEIN

Shein provides an endless array of clothing options for all. Whether you are looking for classic mom jeans or trendy dresses for spring, you will likely find them listed on Shein. Plus, this brand has websites for different regions that are curated with fashion items that suit the interests of shoppers in those markets. 

The turnover of clothing at Shein is quite high. The company has multiple contract manufacturers that execute its design ideas and is thus able to keep churning out fresh options almost daily. 

Pros: 

• The prices are pocket-friendly.
• The shipping process is not complicated or time-consuming.

Cons:

• The quality of clothing from Shein is inconsistent.
• The brand has been linked to numerous design copyright violations.
• Shein does not support dropshipping

Pretty Little Thing 

Pretty Little Thing was established in 2012. Its main target market is young to middle-aged women looking for stylish everyday clothing items at affordable prices. It is headquartered in the UK but has a presence in California and France, as well as China, and other countries where it manufactures its products. 

The Pretty Little Thing catalog includes dresses, pants, tops, blouses, and lots more. The sizes range from petite to plus size and the color selections are indeed pretty. The designs are refreshed frequently but the renewal is more about offering fresh options than adapting every new fad.

Pros: 

• The return policy is reasonable
• A wide range of size options
• International shipping is provided and the costs are fair

Cons: 

• The quality of some products is not great

Nasty Gal 

Nasty Gal is owned by the same megabrand that owns Pretty Little Thing and also targets the same fashion market of young women in their 20s and 30s. The only difference is that Nasty Gal leans more towards bold edgy designs for outgoing personalities, unlike PLT which is more elegant chic.

The Nasty Gal collection comprises shoes, tops, dresses, coats, vintage pieces, and much more. New designs come in regularly but the frequency may be a bit lower when compared to options like Shein or Uniqlo.

Pros: 

• The Nasty Gal website offers lots of sales and discounts
• The return policy is customer-friendly
• Nasty Gal ships globally

Cons: 

• The fabrics and stitchwork on Nasty Gal outfits are not durable

Primark

Primark originates from Ireland. It is famous for its very affordable clothing that includes jeans, dresses, pants, shirts, tops, and even intimate apparel. 

Like most fast fashion brands, Primark outsources manufacturing to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The clothes are then supplied to its over 380 stores in the UK, Europe, America, and other regions. 

However, in a strange twist, Primark remains reluctant about selling online as the investment and logistics of doing so may make it tough for the brand to keep selling at low prices. 

Pros: 

• Affordable prices 
• Fair quality of clothes
• Primark donates unsold clothing to charity
• Primark has adapted the Ethical Trade Initiative and is transforming from the negative practices of fast fashion

Cons: 

• The lack of online stores can make it difficult to access Primark clothing unless you reside in a country with a physical store

Zara

Zara manufactures new clothing designs in 5-week cycles. Put together, this can add up to about 12,000 new designs of tops, t-shirts, jackets, dresses, cardigans, pants, and clothing accessories each year. The company has also diversified to other fashion-adjacent products like perfumes.

Despite its high volumes and turnover, Zara offers slightly better quality clothing than most fast fashion brands. It still, however, remains affordable by outsourcing production to countries like Brazil where the cost of production is cheaper. 

Pros: 

• Better product quality
• Zara caters to all fashion needs as it makes clothing for both genders, in different styles for different occasions
• Zara is investing in sustainability and plans to shift to fully using sustainable fabrics by 2025

Cons: 

• The factories where Zara products are manufactured have been linked to unfair labor practices

Fashion Nova

Fashion Nova is often referred to as the American version of Shein. It manufactures clothing for petite to plus-size women as well as children. It has an online presence but also runs brick-and-mortar stores in California. 

The stand-out feature of this brand is that it manufactures conventional but stylish clothing for everyday use and ‘out of the box’ pieces that are ideal for parties and events like Halloween. 

Pros: 

• Fashion Nova offers great sales and discounts
• Returns are relatively easy to process and have a generous 30-day window
• Fashion Nova is very diligent about keeping up with current fashion trends

Cons: 

• Fashion Nova has been fined for deleting negative reviews posted by customers that received subpar services
• The company is not forthright about its manufacturing practices

H&M

H&M is a Swedish brand that has now grown to be a globally recognized supplier of fast fashion items. If fashion analysts were to draw a pyramid diagram of fast fashion quality, this brand would likely rank at the top and perhaps be followed closely by Zara. In other words, H&M clothing is manufactured using better fabrics, attention to detail, and quality workmanship. 

Nevertheless, H&M qualifies as a fast-fashion brand due to the high volumes of clothing it manufactures each year and its average prices. Its collections cover everything from formalwear and casual attire to seasonal clothing for men, women, and children. 

In terms of distribution, H&M operates in over 74 countries. It mainly manufactures in Bangladesh and ships from its mega warehouse in the Netherlands. 

Pros: 

• H&M is adopting sustainable practices
• It pays better attention to quality compared to most fast fashion brands
• H&M has a vast global presence

Cons:

• H&M production facilities have been dogged by unfair labor practices

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is owned by URBN Group which has been in the American fashion retail business for decades. It now, nonetheless, sells affordable apparel to customers all over the globe. You can conveniently shop from this brand online and even enjoy free shipping If you are in the USA, the UK, or Australia.

Some of the stylish clothing items offered by this brand include rompers, sweaters, coats, skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, and a huge variety of other pieces. 

Pros: 

• The extensive product variety offers something for everyone
• The quality of clothing from Urban Outfitters is fair for the cost

Cons: 

• Urban Outfitter’s employment practices leave much to be desired
• Free shipping is only limited to certain regions
• Customers have to pay for the cost of shipping returns
• Shipping delays are a common occurrence

Missguided

Missguided is a UK clothing brand that produces clothing designed for young women between 16 to 35. It puts out about 150 new designs each week. The pieces are quite diverse in terms of style but are also curated to meet the dressing needs of different body shapes. 

This brand mainly sells online. Its clothing categories cover all the basics a woman could need and then some. They include cute to sophisticated dress varieties, undergarments, tops, coats, and denim wear. Other sections also cover loungewear, swimwear, shoes, accessories, and hand-picked outfits.

Pros: 

• Missguided is a one-stop-shop for women of all dress preferences
• The clothing is trendy but still affordable
• Customers are treated to lots of discounts 

Cons: 

• There have been multiple customer complaints about the poor quality and fit of the clothing they ordered
• The items delivered do not always match the items displayed
• Shipping policies vary between countries and 

Are Fast Fashion Brands Bad?

Affordable clothing is a fundamental need for all human beings. It is dignifying for people to be able to afford new clothing that is stylish instead of second-hand clothes that have seen better days. So, in this regard, fast fashion is a good thing. 

However, a fair analysis of fast fashion shows that such high consumerism and frequent production depletes resources, increases gas emissions, and is generally bad for the environment. Lots of fast fashion brands also prioritize meeting production targets over fair labor practices. 

If you are a retailer or dropshipper looking to source fast-fashion clothing for resale it may be best to consider brands that are embracing fair trade policies and sustainable manufacturing.