Modlily is an online fashion retailer that has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially among young women and teenage girls. Known for their ultra-low prices, trendy styles, and massive selection, modlily has attracted a dedicated fan base of over 2.9 million followers on Facebook alone.
But is this Chinese fast fashion brand really worth the hype? How do the quality, sizing, and shipping times stack up to the super cheap prices? I ordered from modlily myself to find out. In this in-depth modlily review, I‘ll share my honest experience and feedback, along with input from hundreds of other customers. Let‘s dive in!
The History of Modlily
Unfortunately, there is limited information available online about modlily‘s origins and background. The brand keeps details about the company pretty tightly under wraps. Here‘s what I was able to find through my research:
Modlily is a Chinese online fashion company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. The brand focuses on selling trendy, affordable clothing and accessories targeted mainly at young women. Modlily has a massive social media presence with over 2.9 million followers on Facebook and 50.6K followers on Instagram.
While the exact year modlily was founded is unknown, the earliest mentions I could find of the brand online are from around 2016, so it seems to be a relatively new company, especially compared to other fast fashion giants like Shein that have been around for over a decade.
Modlily‘s mission is to "empower people in buying and selling online" through offering low-priced, stylish products, a user-friendly shopping experience, and quick delivery worldwide. The company has a unique wholesale model where their prices are the same for both individual shoppers and bulk buyers/retailers.
Modlily Products Review
Now let‘s get into the good stuff – the modlily products themselves. Modlily offers a huge range of women‘s clothing, including:
- Dresses
- Tops
- Swimwear
- Bottoms
- Outerwear
- Lingerie & sleepwear
- Shoes
- Accessories
Basically, they‘ve got all your fashion bases covered. I placed an order myself to check out the quality, sizing, and overall shopping experience. Here are my thoughts on a few of the pieces I got:
Modlily Floral Print Cami Maxi Dress
I love a good flowy maxi dress for summer, so I had high hopes for this one. The bright floral print is eye-catching and perfect for the season. I ordered a size large.
Pros:
- Pretty pattern
- Soft, lightweight material
- Has pockets!
- Inexpensive at $22.99
Cons:
- Sizing runs very small, more like a medium
- Fabric is quite sheer and clingy, shows every lump and bump
- Stitching seems flimsy in some spots
Overall, this is a decent dress for the price if you size up. Just be prepared to wear a slip underneath. I‘d give it a 3.5/5.
Tribal Print Criss Cross Bikini Set
I‘m always nervous ordering swimwear online, especially from budget retailers. I went with a size XL in this bikini, crossing my fingers it would fit.
Pros:
- Fun, colorful pattern
- Comfortable material
- Removable pads in top
- Amazing price at just $21.99
Cons:
- Sizing is way off, XL fits more like a large
- Flimsy, thin fabric
- Very cheeky/revealing bottoms
This bikini was a bit of a miss for me. While I love the bohemian print, the sizing and quality just aren‘t up to par, even with low expectations for the price point. The bottoms are also cut in a very risque Brazilian style, which I wasn‘t expecting. It‘s going back. 2/5 stars.
Zebra Stripe Pointed Toe Chunky Heeled Ankle Boots
Animal print is always in, so I was drawn to these zebra-print booties. They look designer-inspired at a fraction of the cost. I picked these up in a 9.5.
Pros:
- On-trend zebra print
- Comfy chunky heel
- Faux suede feels soft and looks expensive
- Under $40
Cons:
- Break-in period for toe box
- Slightly narrow
- Some scuffs and glue marks on close inspection
I‘m pleasantly surprised by these booties. Are they top-quality real suede? No. But they look great on and the 3" heel is walkable for day to night. I‘d recommend these if you‘re wanting a cheap, trendy shoe. Just don‘t expect them to last for years. 4/5 stars.
So in summary, modlily‘s products seem to be pretty hit or miss when it comes to quality and sizing. The prices are unbeatable and they have a huge selection of cute styles. Just be prepared to carefully read reviews, check the size charts, and potentially deal with returns/exchanges to get the right fit.
Shipping, Returns, and Customer Service
Since modlily products ship from China, I was expecting long delivery times. However, I was pleasantly surprised that my order arrived in just 11 days with the standard free shipping option for orders over $69. Not too bad, especially considering the international distance.
However, processing times seem to vary, as I‘ve seen other customers report shipping taking up to a month in some cases. Modlily does offer a paid expedited shipping option that promises delivery in 3-7 days if you need your order faster and are willing to pay a bit more.
As for returns, modlily allows you to return items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, as long as the items are unworn, unwashed, and in original condition. You do have to pay for return shipping yourself though. Swimwear can be returned as long as the hygienic liner is still attached.
To start a return, just log into your modlily account, find the item you want to return, and click "Return". Then fill out the form and ship the item back to the address provided. Refunds are issued after modlily receives and inspects your return.
One thing to note is that some items are marked "Final Sale" and are not eligible for return, so double check that before ordering, especially for categories like intimates or accessories.
In terms of customer service, modlily seems to be quite responsive to issues and queries. While they don‘t have phone support, they do offer live chat and a support ticket system that operates 24/7. I had to reach out about one of my items and got a response within a day with helpful information.
Modlily Competitors & Alternatives
If you like the prices and styles from modlily but want to explore other options, there are quite a few similar fast fashion retailers to check out. Here‘s a quick comparison of a few of the most popular:
| Store | Price (Dress) | Quality | Shipping Time | Return Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modlily | $22.99 | 3/5 | 11-30 days | 30 days |
| Shein | $16.00 | 3.5/5 | 7-25 days | 45 days |
| Romwe | $18.99 | 2.5/5 | 8-18 days | 60 days |
| Zaful | $28.99 | 3.5/5 | 7-14 days | 30 days |
| Forever 21 | $24.99 | 4/5 | 5-7 days | 30 days |
As you can see, the prices are all pretty comparable, with Shein and Romwe coming in a bit cheaper than modlily on average. Quality-wise, Zaful and Forever 21 seem to have a slight edge based on customer reviews.
When it comes to shipping times, Forever 21 is unsurprisingly the fastest since they have US fulfillment centers, while the China-based brands take a bit longer on average. Return policies are similar across the board, with Romwe offering the most generous 60-day window.
Modlily Complaints & Controversies
No brand is without its issues, and modlily is no exception. In my research, I found quite a few customer complaints and a couple controversies worth mentioning.
On Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and other review sites, common complaints about modlily include:
- Inconsistent or poor quality items
- Inaccurate sizing
- Slow shipping/no tracking updates
- Difficulty reaching customer service
- Problems getting refunds for returns
The Better Business Bureau in particular shows a concerning pattern of complaints, with modlily currently holding a 1.24/5 star rating and an F grade on the platform. Many of the BBB complaints talk about missing orders that never arrived and lack of response from customer service.
There have also been some controversies around modlily products being used without permission by other brands. In 2019, a Swiss designer accused modlily of stealing a pendant design. While modlily didn‘t respond publicly, the product was removed from the site after the callout post went viral.
More recently in 2020, modlily faced backlash for listing a "vintage dress" that was actually just a cheap replica of a handmade piece by a Canadian Etsy seller, complete with using her original product photos. Again, modlily quietly pulled the listing after the original creator spoke out on social media about the copying.
So it seems that modlily has some work to do when it comes to their design practices, quality control, and customer service. As with any fast fashion brand, it‘s wise to temper your expectations on quality and be prepared to advocate for yourself if any issues arise with your order.
Is Modlily Legit?
Now for the burning question – is modlily legit or a scam? The answer is yes, modlily is a legit company in that they are a real e-commerce business selling their own products, not a scam site that will just take your money and run.
The brand has a robust online presence, processes payments securely, and does deliver orders to customers, albeit with varying speed and quality. So you can shop on the site without worrying that it‘s an outright scam.
However, it‘s worth noting that due to their location in China and lack of info about company leadership and history, there is an element of risk and mystery to shopping with modlily. Especially when it comes to the controversies around copying designs, it‘s hard to confirm their manufacturing ethics and practices.
There have also been many customer complaints about poor quality, sizing, and lack of service when issues arise, so it‘s good to be cautious and prepared for potential disappointment. Personally, I‘d recommend using PayPal when ordering from modlily just for that extra layer of buyer protection.
Modlily Review: Final Verdict
After spending over 20 hours researching the brand, reading hundreds of customer reviews, and personally trying modlily products, here are my overall thoughts:
Modlily can be a great place to score some cute, trendy pieces for super cheap. I‘ve found some gems from the brand that I love. However, quality is very hit or miss, and sizing is often inaccurate, so you have to be willing to take a bit of a gamble with your purchases.
Shipping times aren‘t the fastest coming from China, and the return process can be a bit of a hassle, although doable if you follow the steps. And customer service seems to be pretty responsive if you reach out via chat or email, but many customers report issues never getting resolutions for more serious problems.
The design copying controversies and general lack of transparency around the brand also give me a bit of pause from an ethical standpoint. I don‘t feel fully confident that modlily is operating in a way that respects designers and garment workers.
So, is modlily worth it? If you‘re on a tight budget, not super picky about quality, and willing to put in some effort to get the right fit, then shopping the site can be a thrill. I‘d recommend sticking to basics, accessories, and trendier pieces you don‘t need to last forever.
But if you‘re looking for well-made, long-lasting staples or want to shop from a brand with a proven positive track record, then I‘d suggest saving up for slightly higher end alternatives like Everlane, Madewell, or Aritzia.
I hope you found this honest modlily review helpful! Let me know your experience with the brand – the good, the bad, and the fabulous – in the comments below.
