Is Shop Cider Legit? My 2025 Review as a Size 14 Woman

I couldn’t escape this cute orange sweater for months on social media. Shop Cider ads kept showing up on my feed and then started appearing on my TikTok FYP too. But I didn’t know anyone personally who had tried the brand, and none of the models in the ads looked remotely like my body type.

So I decided to test them out myself for another round of Saw It On Social, where I give honest, unsponsored reviews on all the viral brands and products we see online.

Let’s dive into this Shop Cider review and figure out: are they legit or just another scammy fast fashion brand?

First Impressions of Shop Cider

When I try a new online clothing store, I go in with skepticism on my first order. I want to know if this is another low-quality drop shipping company like Halara or one of those extremely unethical fast fashion players like Shein. (Seriously, do not shop there.)

Whenever I review brands, I research:

  • Who owns the company
  • What their BBB rating is
  • If they’ve had any major controversies or lawsuits
  • The overall transparency and values of the business

I’ll get into all of that later, but first let’s talk about why I was interested in Shop Cider in the first place.

Why I Was Drawn to Shop Cider

As someone who loves whimsical fashion and color, I live in a world where neutrals dominate the market. When I first came across Shop Cider’s pieces, I practically gasped. It’s the first fashion brand in the on-demand fast fashion world that actually has personality (in my opinion). 

Quirky sweaters, vintage-inspired tops, romantic lace dresses, and pants with mushrooms on them. It’s like an urban cottagecore dream closet for a customer like me. 

They even organize their shop by aesthetic. Whether you’re into romantic, retro, or K-pop inspired fashion, you can easily find curated collections that match your vibe.

TL;DR: Is Shop Cider Worth It?

Shop Cider is a legit, on-trend clothing brand that delivers exactly what it promises: bold, whimsical styles at affordable prices. Their made-to-order model helps reduce waste, and their pieces often look just like the photos.

However, sizing is inconsistent, plus-size options are limited, and they do charge more for extended sizes, a frustrating example of the Fat Tax.

If you’re a straight or mid-size shopper looking for fun statement pieces, Shop Cider is worth trying. If you’re plus size or looking for sustainable, slow fashion, you may want to shop elsewhere.

Shop What I Ordered From Cider

What I Ordered from Shop Cider (Size 14 Review)

To give a full review, I ordered a range of clothes and items:

Here’s how each piece performed.

Orange Sweater Review

This is the viral orange sweater I had been eyeing for months. It was sold out in straight sizes but still available in plus, though oddly on a separate listing. I’m never a fan of a brand that takes part of the Fat Tax and it’s a clear violation here. 

Pros:

  • Super soft and cozy
  • Perfect mid-weight fabric
  • Looks just like the product photos
  • I get compliments every time I wear it

Cons:

  • The green stripe shows through a bit more than expected

Rating: 10/10

Daisy Dress Review

I imagined wearing this dress to summer picnics and wine tastings. The print is adorable, but the fit was slightly off.

Pros:

  • Thick, non-see-through fabric
  • Great print and color

Cons:

  • The sides flare out awkwardly
  • Hard to tie alone

Rating: 6/10

Beige Halter Crop Top Review

I picked this halter crop top up because it was one of the most popular items on the site and cost just $12 on sale.

Pros:

  • Thick, quality fabric
  • True to color
  • Great for pairing with high-waisted pants

Cons:

  • The top caved in at the neckline and didn’t lay flat

Rating: 8/10

Retro Crop Top Review

As soon as I saw the listing photo featuring a sunflower field, I had to have it.

Pros:

  • Fun, colorful design
  • Looks great for summer activities

Cons:

  • The strap is way too long and your chest might fall out
  • This was a common complaint in the product reviews too

Rating: 9/10

Cactus Earrings Review

I always test out jewelry when I do these reviews because it says a lot about a brand’s overall product quality.

These earrings were surprisingly solid. Not glued together like Shein or Romwe accessories. They use real metal for the cactus and felt sturdy.

Rating: 9/10

Mushroom Jeans Review

I ordered the wrong size, so I can’t comment on the fit. But the denim felt high quality and the mushroom detailing didn’t look painted on or cheap.

I will be reordering these in the correct size because they are just too cool to pass up.

Rainbow Sweater Review

I exchanged the jeans for this rainbow sweater using a promo code and wow. It quickly became one of my favorite pieces that I end up wearing many days during Pride Month. 

It is bold, soft, and eye-catching. People stop me on the street to ask where I got it. It brings me so much joy and feels like one of those special finds you never forget. I took it with me to live in Copenhagen and while it was more color than the average Dane likes to wear, I loved wearing it. 

Rating: 10/10

Is Shop Cider Worth It for Curvy or Plus Size Women?

As a size 14, I found several pieces that worked for me. But the shopping experience was frustrating.

  • Sizing is inconsistent
  • Plus sizes are listed separately and limited
  • XL and 1X are almost the same measurements

Update: Cider finally improved their website experience so you can now see all sizes in one listing if they’re available. It is a big improvement.

Does Shop Cider Charge a Fat Tax?

Unfortunately, yes. For example, the orange sweater is priced at $28 in the straight size and $37 in plus. That is nearly a 30 percent markup for the same item.

There’s no good reason for this. A made-to-order brand should be able to offer size-inclusive pricing across the board. I even confronted the customer service team about this and they denied doing Fat Tax (even though it’s clear as day) which is not very helpful or fun. 

Is Shop Cider Fast Fashion or Ethical?

Is Shop Cider Fast Fashion?

Yes. They launch new styles constantly and follow trends very closely. Their business model is built on fast production and trend response.

Are They Ethical?

This is a gray area. Shop Cider uses a made-to-order model, which helps cut back on waste. However, they work with multiple manufacturers in China, so it is hard to know if working conditions are ethical or if designs are being copied.

Some independent artists have accused Shop Cider of stealing designs, which is definitely concerning.

That said, I personally feel more comfortable buying from Cider than from Amazon or Shein. At least their business model attempts to address fashion waste.

Shop Cider Review: FAQs and Brand Background

Who Owns Shop Cider?

Michael Wang is the founder of Shop Cider.

Where Is Shop Cider Based?

Shop Cider is based in Guangzhou, China, and has a U.S. office in Los Angeles.

Is Shop Cider Legit?

Yes. My order arrived fast, support was responsive, and most pieces were well-made for the price point.

How Does Shop Cider Shipping and Returns Work?

You need to return all your items at once. I made the mistake of trying to return things separately and the system wouldn’t let me.

You’ll get the option for store credit or a refund. I chose store credit because I already had my eye on something else.

Will Prices Increase?

Possibly. With ongoing U.S. tariff conversations related to Chinese imports, Cider may need to raise prices in the future to offset costs. For now, prices remain competitive.

Is Cider Better Than Shein

Shop Cider and Shein are both fast fashion brands which have their own baggage and problems, but Cider doesn’t have nearly as many ethical violations as Shein, so yes they are better. Read my Shein review to learn why I don’t like shopping there. 

Final Thoughts on Shop Cider

Would I shop from Shop Cider again? Yes. While they have room for improvement, especially with sizing and fat tax pricing, their clothing is fun and expressive.

I love that their styles are not just more of the same neutrals found elsewhere. I’m here to report that I do plan on ordering from them again and hope their plus size offerings continue to grow.

Got questions about Shop Cider clothing? Drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul. I’d love to hear your experience and especially if you’ve tried their mobile app.

Let me know which brand you want me to review next.

 

I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!

85 comments

  1. Great article, thanks for sharing. Loved the pics. Also the blue dress looks awesome on you don’t return that!!!

    Ads were pretty insufferable on the mobile site though, just fyi

    1. Hi! Yes, the ads are cranked up high for the next week or so for a specific reason, but will be turned back down very soon. Thank you for scrolling through!

      2. If you purchase from this company you will not be able to return. Their systems do not work. Plan on losing money.

  3. HI! I have been eyeing this site and adding to my cart over the last few weeks. Once you placed your order, exactly how long did it take to arrive?

    2. I ordered 09/05, some items that are made to order state on the listing when they will be shipped and everything is posted together, they shipped 13/05 and are due to be delivered this weekend (been tracking in the post) I live in UK but I think it’s the same in US

      1. I’ve been enjoying Cider more and more. They actually approached me and some other plus size instagrammers to help them develop their Curve range. It’s legit refreshing for a brand to ask its audience what we want, and ask for our criticisms. They aren’t perfect. But I can see they seem committed to do their best within the restrictions of their business model.

      2. Ohh this is great to hear!! i have noticed that they seem to have updated their Plus section a bit since writing this article

    3. If you purchase from this company you will not be able to return. Their systems do not work. Plan on losing money.

  5. My daughter needs a dress for a dance and she likes a few of them on Shop Cider. I want to buy a few of them but will need to return the ones she doesn’t like. When you did your return you said they offered a code and keep the jeans or return them. Why? Is returning an issue? Did you still pay for the jeans? Do they offer free returns? There website says you can return one item at a time…What does that mean? You didn’t really talk about that. That’s the most important part for me. We have ordered from sites that say free returns/easy return and they were far from free or easy. Sorry so long, just need to make sure before ordering.

    1. I’m sorry you didn’t hear back from the writer!! I e been doing lots of research and the return policy is honestly horrible it seems. You can get store credit and keep the items, or you have to pay to ship the return to the U.S which may or may not be worth it, they have a third return option which is to get around 50% of your money back and to keep the items. Hope this helps!

  6. I’m amazed you had a great experience because mine was horrible. I’m a size 10-12, L-XL because I carry a donk. I ordered two difference pieces, one of them in two different sizes. I got a linen two piece set and this super cute skirt two piece set. Let’s start with the linen: Thin, thin, thin. Also, terribly sized. I ordered this set in a L and XL, according to their charts I should’ve fit into the XL, I didn’t. I could not get the vest on, and the pants were so tight. I’m extremely honest with myself about what size I wear because I like to be comfortable in my clothes.
    The skirt set. Jesus. It’s like it was made for a prepubescent girl and it was sized an XL. The top had a zipper, but I guess they forgot to account for breasts because there was no way. The skirt fit like someone took two rectangles of fabric and sewed them together.
    Their shipping took forever, but you are right, their customer service was quick to respond. The last downside; I returned the items (in the appropriate return time frame) and had to email them about the status of my refund nearly a month later because I still hadn’t received it. Turns out it was sitting in there return pile and hadn’t been processed by staff. For. A. Whole. Month?
    Either way, I tell people not to shop there because the only bright side of my experience was the customer service interactions.

    1. I’m pretty sure her review is slightly fake, although she states otherwise… :/ your review is as the same as everyone else’s on other review sites

      1. I’m not sure what you mean by fake? All of my brand reviews I pay out of pocket for and have no affiliation with the company in order to bring my readers an honest shopping recap.

      2. have you ever considered the quality is actually good? she stated the flaws with the brand, what more do you want? lies?

    2. do u know there return address ive been looking for over an hour and cant find anything

  7. Thank you! I’m the exact same size and I’ve seen so many cute clothes on this site but I was so skeptic ordering from them

  9. I have not come across a genuinely informative blog in a while. This was so helpful. Thank you.

  10. Has anyone noticed when using the coupon codes Saraheae20 or Peacock that it now only discounts 15% rather than the 20%?
    Are there any alternatives?

  11. Total rip-off, after months of waiting for my order and them telling me to wait, I got tired and demanded a refund, after telling me to wait for a refund I told them where was it and they said that the time to give me one had expired!! Will never shop with them again and you should do the same!

  12. I must admit I kinda like the plus sizes being listed separately! As a plus size gal I can’t imagine what pieces look like on my body type so it’s nice to be able to filter it down and scroll down looking at items on plus size models rather than smaller models and having to individually click to see my body type! That being said it would be nice if they were still linked ie a section on the listing that says ‘plus size version click here’ or something similar

  14. I’m scared that CIDER is just like Shein when it comes to fast fashion, so what differentiates cider from shein and why are they different? how did you find out they (cider) was ethical/sustainable? was it from a reliable source? sorry for all these questions but i’m kinda nervous

  16. we should fat tax more
    if’ I’m american size 4-6, the manufacturer needs much less fabric to make a garment for me than for the “average size 16”. and if the pieces all cost the same, then who is buying for the extra material? definitely not the manufacturer.
    it’s me, the consumer who is buying. and i ain’t paying for your plus size, sorry girl.

    3. Offta I’m only leaving your comment up as a prime example of what fatphobia is on top of a huge misunderstanding of how the fashion industry actually works. Your outlook is not only wrong but extremely problematic. Do better.

      1. As a size 0, I apologize on behalf of the skinny people who are so ignorant. You shouldn’t pay more for plus size. If they charge by material, at least charge less for smaller. Although I would think it would all average out in the end. Keep everything the same. Thanks for the great review! And please ignore those who feel the need to body shame. They obviously have their own issues. Btw, I’m not skinny by choice. It’s health related so please don’t comment and tell me how lucky I am.

    4. What an opinion, it’s always so great to hear someone who the market caters to push down on those excluded by it. Go girl, give us °˖✧revolting disgust at your lack of self acknowledgement✧˖°

    5. Actually I would agree if that’s the way it worked. It actually costs more to make a size 4-6 as petite, big and tall, plus size etc, costs the industry more to make as it is outside the norm. Cost has more to do with the manufacturing process rather than the material, which doesn’t cost much at all in the scheme of things.

      1. Being Petite, Tall, Plus Size, etc. is not “outside the norm.” The fact that anyone views creating wearable fashion for these sizes as irregular or a burden is the exact issue everyone above is addressing. Viewing other sizes as “the norm” is saying off the rack clothes are the “default” body type and anyone else is irregular. Creating fashion for ALL bodies should be the standard. It is only because we’ve just recently started pressuring the fashion industry to do better that these sizes seem “new.” Hate to break it to you, but you’re part of the problem.

      2. Very true because it is often those tiny sizes that end up on clearance because there aren’t enough people who can fit them.

  17. Thanks for your review! Do you have the name of the sweater on the website?
    The link redirects to the main page and I can’t find it

  18. Super helpful, thanks! I was laughing because you wrote “a pension for mushrooms”. I think you meant penchant? 🙂

  19. Heyy, their website says you as a customer have to pay for duties and taxes. I am wondering how much that could be for order of $60? Did you pay duties as well and how that actually worked?
    Thank you

    1. I think some countries may have extra duty taxes, like Australia. I didn’t have to do anything for the US

  20. Thank you for this article! It was very helpful I so appreciate your time! You are lovely, have a great day 🥰🥰

  21. I really love this brand, it’s so hard to find vintage-ish type of clothing without paying a shit load. Majority of the clothing i’ve received is of good quality, and I get so many compliments. I recommend them to all my friends, they really do have just great variety. I do also struggle with the sizing chart, I feel they run small on certain items . loved this review!

  23. Cider doesn’t provide transparent information about its practices.

    We tried to dig a bit deeper, but we found, well, nothing—the brand provides insufficient relevant information about how it reduces its impact on those three areas. As a result, Cider is rated “We Avoid”, our lowest possible score. As a shopper, you have the right to know how Cider’s production practices impact the planet, people, and animals.

    Cider is indeed a mysterious brand and, like SHEIN, sits up there in the fast fashion brands we recommend you avoid at all costs. It is the prime example of an ultra-fast fashion brand—even though the brand prides itself on “celebrating smart fashion”, it still launches new collections at lightning speed, implementing high-scale production as soon as a product is on demand. Yikes.

    Cider needs to start disclosing more information about how, where, and by whom its items are produced, as well as the materials used. Transparency is crucial to more ethical and sustainable fashion and is the first step towards reducing a businesses’ impact. -Good On You.com

  24. NEVER ORDER FROM THIS SITE. I tried ordering a homecoming dress for my daughter. They took out the funds from my account immediately after completing my online purchase and then immediately after, I received an email stating that my payment wasn’t received and my order got cancelled.

    The only way to contact them is via email, WhatsApp or fb messenger. After reaching oit via fb messenger, I received a message stating my order was cancelled due to funds not being received and since the order was cancelled they would issue me a refund. I asked how would you refund me when you’re stating the funds were never received and that’s why my order was supposedly cancelled?? They said to wait just 1 to 7 business days for the refund (for the funds they supposedly never received).

    I contacted my bank to claim fraud and after explaining what happened to my bank, even they said theu wouldn’t be able to process a refund if they never received any funds to begin with. However, my bank showed the payment was completed and Cider did on fact take out the funds. so mu bank is helping me with doing a chargeback.

    So not only did Cider take the funds out of my account, but they cancelled my order and claimed it was due to never receiving funds. They did little to nothing to try and resolve the issue that was created on their end. The best answer they could give me after stating the funds would be returned and it was too late to do anything because the order was already cancelled for non-payment, was that I should try and update my shipping address and send payment 🤦‍♀️

    This website is a joke.

    1. je suis dans la même situation ma commande a été annulé alors qu’elle a bien été payer …

  25. Thanks for the thorough review, just what I was looking for! I’ve also seen ads for the quirkily cute items, but I’m always very suspicious of any company new to me.

    Really helpful to know what you get (especially when ordering normal and not rail-thin sizes), and about the downsides – such as possible issues with returning. I can then take the precaution of ordering only something not too pricey, which I don’t mind giving to a friend or re-selling, if it won’t fit me.

    Based on Trustpilot also, various issues with returns seem to be the main thing people complain out. (I’m hoping the issue from comment 13 Oct was an anusual glitch…) Was a bit odd therefore to see the comment here that the review here must be fake, since it’s positive 🙂 Most people – myself included – only tend to vent when there’s something wrong. That’s why it’s helpful to see a review based on an average experience.

  26. I ordered a few items yesterday so I can’t speak to the quality yet, but usually I’m concerned about ordering China made fashion because of all the chemicals they use in the process of making fast fashion. There have been many test done and a lot of those cancer causing chemicals do not wash out.
    Did the clothing smell or have a specific odor when you received it?

  27. Nice review! The Cider ads kept popping up for me too so I decided to check out the reviews online. I don’t mind all the ads on your site either. You provide your content to readers for free. You should get paid somehow.

  28. I’ve been wanting to buy things from this site for ages because they have the cutest stuff! I bought three sweaters for my birthday last year (one being that rainbow cardigan you got). My package was marked as delivered but never came. It was so weird because I was waiting for the delivery man and never saw him. I contacted the company and they offered a refund or to reship the items. I chose reship because I really wanted them. The same thing happened with the replacement package. I was waiting for the delivery and it never came. It was marked as delivered. I still have no idea if it was USPS related or Cider related. It’s so frustrating though. Luckily, I did get my money back.

  29. This blog is amazing!!! What a great find! Love the deep research you do to find ethical shopping! Thanks!

  30. Ohh I was so happy when I found out about this store because their clothes are exactly my style. However, I live in Sweden and sadly I read reviews from other Swedes saying returning would cost like 40€ which is insane. I will most likely not buy from Cider… Unfortunately. I’ll continue my search for cute whimsical clothes!

    1. Hi, another Swede here! I just ordered from them and one pair of pants I ordered didn’t fit so I had to return them.
      I was originally planning on shipping them back (or to their warehouse in Germany as their website says) but chose a 50% refund and getting to keep them because altough it wasn’t 40€ it was still going to be around 20€ according to my local courier and I just felt that it wasn’t worth it. Shipping internationally to or from Sweden has a ridiculously high cost, even within the EU, which I hate but what can you do I guess? :/
      I also didn’t have the third option that the creator did, I could only choose to get 50% or send them back which is sad because I would’ve loved getting that immediate store credit!
      So yeah, the return/refund system could definitely use some work.
      But the clothes were nice, good material and an overall decent fit (not the worst I’ve tried on at least); I got size 40-42 for reference.
      It does also vary a lot between running small, big or being true to size between different items so knowing which size to get isn’t all that easy.

  31. Cider fan here! My feed was blowing up with shop cider ads so I finally gave it shot. The clothes are super cute and fit very well. I don’t agree about fat tax at all. It takes more material to make something in 4x then it does to make it in a medium. That adds up. It’s not about body shaming. It’s just simple math. There curve section is super cute. I am XL- to 1X and I had no problem finding the same items as my daughter who XS. We have plenty of matching outfits to wear together for photos and to brunch. Overall the materials are nice and the stitching is decent. The price point is not expensive at all. The sizing chart is pretty standard in my opinion. And they have different looks for all types of different folks from ultra feminine to sporty diva. I love it. Not everything is my style, but I am able to find cute pieces every time. They ship super fast considering I am in New York and it’s coming from California. I especially love that they promote beauty in all sizes, races, and styles. If I didn’t see curvy women of color in their ads I wouldn’t have even bothered to look at the site, considering that I am curvy woman of color myself. Now all of my new favorite pieces come from Cider. Thank you for posting this article. Stay beautiful 😘

  32. Thank you so much, this was a really informative article and helped answer all the questions I had about the ethics, sustainability and quality of Cider!

  33. Your articles have helped me to learn a lot of interesting information on this topic and they are important material from which I can come up with many good ideas.

  34. Thank you so much for this in-depth review! I’m between a size 12 and 14 and found a couple pieces I really liked and wasn’t sure what size to order. This helped immensely!
    I also have a 15 year old daughter who loves switching up her clothes every few months and donating what she gets rid of. I appreciate that they’re at least more conscientious about their contribution to fast fashion and they work to reduce their carbon footprint. I will never buy from Shein but I just placed an order from Cider and hope it all fits!
    I tend to keep my clothes long term, so I’m sorta nervous about the quality. But for the kiddo, she’s not going to care. It’ll be given to friends or a shelter within a year anyway.

  36. If you’re looking for unique and trendy clothing, Shop Cider is worth checking out. Just be aware of their sizing issues and ethical concerns before you buy.

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