Is Shein Curve made to fit plus-size bodies?

When it comes to fast-fashion brands, Shein is one of the most popular, best known for its on-trend clothes and too-good-to-be-true prices. As someone who has a deep love of inexpensive clothing, my interest was piqued when I first discovered the retailer—and even more so when I saw it offers a plus-size section called Shein Curve and Plus.

To be honest, I was skeptical at just how inexpensive everything was—it's not every day that you come across dresses for as little as $4 on sale, and $10 at full price. Is Shein Curve legit? And is it good quality? Here's what I discovered after wearing the brand's clothes for months.

What is Shein Curve and Plus?

Shein Curve and Plus is Shein’s plus-size section, although “plus-size” is used loosely here. I’d say it’s more mid-sized fashion. It offers sizes XL to 5X—with a caveat. According to the sizing chart, everything is at least two sizes smaller than typical plus sizes. At Shein, 0XL is the equivalent of a size 12 instead of the usual size 16, and a 5X is a size 22, not the expected size 30 to 32.

Shein Curve’s selection includes more than 75,000 clothing options, ranging from dresses and workwear to swimwear and lingerie.

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What I like about Shein Curve and Plus

The clothes are incredibly affordable

I’ve ordered a lot of clothes from Shein that I adore. They’re cute, comfortable, and most importantly, affordable. The majority of my casual wardrobe is made up of Shein T-shirts because they’re so soft and cost as little as $5 a piece. I love that I can place an order for 10 clothing items and barely break $80. Plus, the style of the clothes fits my aesthetic perfectly: quirky shirts and adorable patterns.

They're comfortable and stay in place

While I’ve yet to try any Shein pants or shorts and can’t vouch for how they withstand chub rub—I have a few other favorites from the retailer. I like the Daisy Floral Midi Flared Skirt ($13), which I got in my usual size because its elastic waist is stretchy enough to allow for movement yet snug enough to stay securely in place. There’s also the Floral Embroidery Mesh Skirt ($15) that is designed to look as though the flowers were hand-embroidered on.

I even decided to try out one of their button downs to see if I would face the dreaded boob-gap that happens between buttons sometimes. I ordered this horribly named but wonderfully designed button down ($11) and was shocked by the quality of the design. Sure, the fabric reminded me of a cheap Halloween costume, but it fit well with no boob-gap in sight. And what’s more, even though it was white, you couldn’t see my black bra through it.

What I don’t like about Shein Curve and Plus

The sizing is very inconsistent

Unfortunately, not everything on Shein Curve is a win. For starters, the sizing can be very skewed. I once ordered a T-shirt in my usual size 1XL and it barely fit, while other shirts I ordered in the same size fit comfortably loose. One time, I opted to buy a shirt in size 3X because I wanted an oversized fit, but it was surprisingly form-fitting.

The quality is seriously lacking

There are also a few items here and there that made me rethink the phrase “quality over quantity.” Just like the shirt I mentioned above, the polyester fabric of the Floral Printed Dress ($14), felt like cheap Halloween costume material and made me look like I was wearing a potato sack.

I recently bought the Privé Plus Solid Overall Dress ($9) and not only is it way too short to wear out in public, but the material is cheap, the fit is boxy, the buttons are flimsy, and the neckline makes it feel more like an apron than anything fashionable.

Speaking of terrible necklines, I also tried the Marble Printed Notch Neck Blouse ($9) and it was just not it. I see what they were going for, as the design has potential, but the bad fabric, shapeless fit, and atrocious neckline cannot save it.

All of that to say: Shein Curve, like Shein itself, can be very inconsistent.

Is Shein Curve and Plus worth buying?

Maybe, if you're willing to do your research

Based on my hit-or-miss experience, I still recommend giving Shein Curve a shot. After all, with such low prices, you don’t have much to lose. Just be warned that sizing and quality can be a mixed bag—so shop accordingly. My suggestion? Read the reviews. Don’t just look at how many positive reviews there are—actually read them —and look at pictures from actual shoppers.

Some of my favorite clothes—especially T-shirts—are from Shein, and I plan to stock up on a lot more in the coming months. Even though I’ve had a few duds, for now, I’m team Shein—or more specifically, team Shein Curve.

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