‘I don’t trust SHEIN enough’: Shopper buys Nike shoes from Shein. Did she receive real ones?

Photo by@user.3sm3/TikTok Diego Thomazini/ShutterStock

‘Shein it’s more like a marketplace now.’ Shein is often linked to quick fashion, but based on what this TikToker's video suggests, the brand could be making some positive changes.

In the video, which has reached 1.6 million views, Esme (@user.3sm3) began unpacking Shein items from a cardboard box. She eventually found something clear and unmistakable: A vibrant red Nike box. Inside the box were white sneakers featuring the well-known Nike logo.

Accompanying the video was an on-screen caption that read, “When you order Nike shoes from Shein and they actually come in.”

However, although these sneakers appeared genuine, some viewers were doubtful.

“I don’t trust SHEIN enough,” one wrote.

“I will never,” another vowed.

Still, plenty of other commenters reiterated how this is now common practice for Shein. As a third commenter put it, “Shein it’s more like a marketplace now.. Like eBay and stuff like that. So yeah everything branded is legit but prices are almost the same as if you buy from brands anyways.”

Can you buy branded products on Shein?

ModernRetail reports that these products, which are branded, were made available on Shein through its Marketplace, which came into existence in 2023. This marketplace simplifies the process for independent sellers to offer their products on Shein, yet it doesn't imply that these brands have given their approval for such sales.

For instance, ModernRetail points out that the British brand Paul Smith has products for sale on Shein. However, upon reaching out to the brand, it was confirmed that there is no official partnership between Paul Smith and Shein. This situation suggests that brands such as Paul Smith are selling their products through the "gray market," which essentially means that these branded items are being distributed outside of the official channels.

Given the absence of proof of a partnership between Shein and Nike, it's probable that the item from Esme's Nike was sold through the gray market. However, this claim cannot be definitively confirmed by the Newsbreak, as they were unable to independently verify it. Nike and Shein didn’t immediately respond to the News Break request for comment via email.

Esme isn’t the only TikToker who has uncovered this Shein life hack. Back in January, Emiley Hayhurst (@glutenousglob) went viral after discovering genuine Free People, Missguided, Zara, and H&M being sold on the fast fashion platform.

“I know y’all have seen how everyone started getting different clothes from Shein that was tagged Zara, H&M…but I just figured out there’s a whole shop for those brands,” she said.