I kept hearing about Shein everywhere, and kept reading about Shein everywhere. One evening I decided to check out what the buzz around Shein actually was. As I scrolled, I went from one surprise to the next. In the end I compared it to AliExpress, but with the focus on clothing. Of course the prices stood out too, 12 euros for a bikini is almost expensive. The models also caught my eye... Draw your own conclusion as to why. Sometimes I also had to howl with laughter at the bikinis I came across, and wondered to myself who would even wear that.

In the end I decided to place an order for bikinis. The trend right now is mini-bikinis, except I first wanted to find out (cheaply) how mini I could still pull off at almost 30. In the meantime I'm three orders further, 14 bikinis and about 100 euros in. How happy am I, and was that 100 euros ultimately worth it?

In case you'd somehow missed it, I'm obsessed with bikinis.

My Shein tips

My tips concern this specifically for the bikinis. The first two orders were for 8 bikinis, of various kinds and prices, but no adjustable sizing. I ordered everything in S (36). What have I learned now? Bikinis I can't even adjust myself (read: ties) are a size risk for me. It's really a gamble whether the bottom in S won't be too big, and the top too small. So for the last order (6 bikinis) I bought all the bikinis in the sale, and most of them were adjustable via ties AND in size M (38). Since I do like having a bit more coverage.
In summary, buy a size up if you want a bit more coverage, and buy bikinis that can be tied. On top of that, try to buy bikinis with coloured lining rather than white.

Order 1

Firstly, I didn't make up the names, and secondly, the photos come from Shein themselves. On top of that, the models above are exactly what I wanted to try. Unfortunately Sexy Leopard was too small in size S. My boobies didn't fit in it, and the bottom showed too much of me. A shame, since I still find the print really pretty. Ruffles in blue, I've since worn. The fit is fine, but because it's right on the edge for me, you sometimes see the white lining underneath. That's genuinely a shame. The red Ruffles Bandeau has red lining, so I don't have that problem with it. Great fit, but a mini bottom that shows a lot of your bum. I ordered all three bikinis in size S.

I'd ordered these two bandeau bikinis in addition, purely because of the print and also the price. Unfortunately both are just slightly off. Both pieces of the full-print one run just a bit too big, so I often have to hitch it up. With the Boho Paisley, mainly the top isn't suited to my cup size. I do have to say the quality of this bikini genuinely felt good. As you can see it's lined on the inside with the same print. You really don't see that often with Shein.

Order 2 from Shein

These were three unusual bikinis. The Tropical bikini fit well size-wise, except there was a fair bit of under-boob showing, and I don't know if that's really my thing. The cutout Leopard could immediately be thrown out for that couple of euros, since the top only just barely covered my nipples... The bottom was also just plain too small. The Sexy Leopard was unusual, but fit well size-wise. Although the bottom was a bit on the large side.

Order 3 from Shein

I'll just give it away right now, this was the best order so far. There wasn't a single bikini I had doubts about or wanted to send back. Why's that? I'd mostly ordered a size up (M) and chosen adjustable bikinis. The Boho Flowers and the Elegant Graphic are actually your simple triangle bikinis. Since it was the right size, they fit beautifully. I was also genuinely enthusiastic about the prints. The Elegant Graphic looks gorgeous once you've got a bit more of a tan.
The Casual Flowers I ordered in size S, because of the top. This was a good choice, since it fit well and was refreshingly different from the standard bikini.

Then the last three. The Cheerful Florals set turned out surprisingly well. It was a gamble for the bottom, which is often too big in M when I can't adjust it. On the back of the top you can actually adjust the straps! That's a genuinely big plus. The Boho Tropical bikini is a bikini I won't be wearing anywhere I might run into people I know. The top is seriously push-up, almost bordering on excessive. The yellow colour looks genuinely gorgeous once you've got a bit more of a tan. The last bikini, despite the size, still ran a bit on the small side. The model itself already had somewhat smaller cups and a small-cut bottom. Perfect for the ultimate tan in the garden, without an audience.