Could fast fashion be slowing down after Trump’s Executive Order?

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Trendy, cheap, and just a tap away, fast fashion is a strategy to bring clothes to the market quickly, and it’s been heightened into an ultra-fast fashion era with social media and Chinese retailers like SHEIN and Temu.

“So, it’s a combination of everything. It’s really affordable, it’s really convenient to use, just because I work a lot, so it’s easier than going out and shopping, and they usually have trendy clothes because trends go by really fast now,” SHEIN shopper Maggie Linton said.

But that affordable access hit a snag when President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order closing the De Minimis Exemption for low-value imports from China. What’s known as the “de minimis” loophole previously allowed packages from China under $800 into the United States without any tariffs and very little paperwork.

“Any goods that are coming in overseas are typically taxed and if they were 800 or less, there was no tax; there was very little paperwork, so it was easy to flood the market with cheap goods,” SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry Professor Tina Limpert explained.

Limpert doesn’t think there will be a huge impact on the consumer, but that could change with time. Instead, she believes retailers will push their manufacturers to make clothes cheaper and just as fast.

“So, they might remove a zipper or remove fabric, so there will be consequences, but I’m not sure it’ll have a huge impact, but really, that’s a wait and see,” Professor Limpert said.

Back in April, SHEIN put their shoppers on notice about the possibility of price increases.

“Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up. To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality, we will be making price adjustments starting April 25, 2025,” The SHEIN Team said in part of a statement.

Shoppers like Linton have seen prices rise steadily. The top she bought about a year ago cost $4.90. On June 12, 2025, that same top cost $7.46.

While it’s only about $3 more, part of the fast fashion trend is to do a “haul,” which is loading up your online shopping cart with about ten items and cashing out. If you have ten items in your cart and an extra $2 is slapped on each item, that’s $20 extra on your total.

“Part of the benefit was that it was so affordable, but now the prices are matching other stores, so that incentive isn’t as appealing anymore,” Linton said.

As the price of fast fashion goes up, shoppers like Maggie may be forced to slow down.

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