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AIBU?

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Original poster

I only buy them in the sales!

133 replies

Butterismylife · 03/02/2022 20:54

Usually on topics about clothes, but it is becoming repetitive. Why does everyone who admits to purchasing from brands that have high price tags have to insist they ONLY buy in the sales? (white co, Toast, etc)

Is it some new kind of virtue signalling, to literally have to remind everyone that you never, ever pay full price? Who cares? It’s like insisting ‘I have impeccable taste but I am so terribly thrifty!’

So much bloody posturing around the virtues of thriftiness - surely this is designed to insinuate that the poster is of a certain class, whilst sheepishly insisting they don’t believe in it.

It’s a sort of extension of the repetitive class related posts that always insist they grew up working class but are (of course!)……middle class now! Every damned time. Are we a culture of clones?

Who days this crap in real life ? Grin
For the record, fairly lighthearted rant .

OP posts:
Lineofconcepcion · 03/02/2022 20:55

Perhaps there are some of us who like nice clothes but can't really afford the full price?

Ozanj · 03/02/2022 20:55

I would assume, probably correctly, that those who buy these brands in sales can only afford them in sales? I love Therapy but can’t afford to even look at their clothes unless they’re damaged / second hand

GirlInACountrySong · 03/02/2022 20:58

clothing wise its only the bigger sizes and small sizes left...so not sure

sale stuff is restrictive, basically the stuff nobody else wanted. the odd bargain

but sale prices are rubbish...10 or 20 per cent off

Original poster
Butterismylife · 03/02/2022 20:59

I don’t think it’s that, it is the insistence, as if it is shameful to pay full price.
If it was merely lack of funds I don’t think it would be so pedantically repeated.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 03/02/2022 21:00

It’s true for a lot of people. Why are you so sure they’re virtue signalling? I love buying DD things from monsoon but can only afford it second hand. I’m very grateful other people can buy it new.

heyitsthistle · 03/02/2022 21:00

The one that gets me is "oh, I like your jacket" "Thanks! I got it from Primark, £15". I have so many friends that do this and it gets on my nerve Hmm

The appropriate answer is "thanks!".

notacooldad · 03/02/2022 21:01

Perhaps there are some of us who like nice clothes but can't really afford the full price?
But why tell us that you only buy in the sale. There's no need. Just say the item is from Hush, Toast whatever.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/02/2022 21:02

Who’s saying this to you?

Original poster
Butterismylife · 03/02/2022 21:02

I think it is the predictability of it. Most of them are buying a lot of clothes in general, it’s more of a boasting than a sense of lack.
I wonder if it is presumed unfashionable now to pay full price.

Admittedly full price is generally overpriced, Grin

OP posts:
lucillelarusso · 03/02/2022 21:02

It's just the way British people speak isn't it?
Me and DM laugh about it all the time. Compliment and American woman "Thanks!"
Compliment and English woman "What this old thing? I found it in a bin!"

I find it endearing :)

Original poster
Butterismylife · 03/02/2022 21:03

@lucillelarusso

It's just the way British people speak isn't it? Me and DM laugh about it all the time. Compliment and American woman "Thanks!" Compliment and English woman "What this old thing? I found it in a bin!"

I find it endearing :)

True! Perhaps online in forums at just starts to seem a bit ‘hive mind’.
OP posts:
DoTheyKnowItsLemonJuice · 03/02/2022 21:04

I think your take is a little harsh; to me it’s just a way of trying to convey that they aren’t meaning to show off about being wealthy enough to afford these brands full price.

Because otherwise, posting about all the money you spend on v expensive clothing brands could make you sound like a bit of a knob.

Anyway, lots of people really like a bargain and like talking about things they find in sales.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/02/2022 21:04

And it is better for the environment, especially with kids clothes given the rate they grow out of them.

I don’t know many boasters so wouldn’t assume malice if someone said they got something lovely second hand.

User0458832 · 03/02/2022 21:06

I do because full price is generally overpriced and why would I pay more than I have to, it's just clothes. I would be mad to pay £60 for something if I just wait a couple of months and pay £30.

RobertaFirmino · 03/02/2022 21:06

Perhaps people who say this are conscious that not everyone can afford to spunk £36 on a t-shirt so try and play down their spending.

User0458832 · 03/02/2022 21:09

Anyone who pays full price for clothes must be mad or else very well off.

Moonface123 · 03/02/2022 21:11

We all know these branded clothes are really over priced, even in the sale, and the quality is no better than the cheaper versions.
You only have to wait a few weeks and they usually have to resort to reducing them as no one is buying them full price.

PossiblyDreaming · 03/02/2022 21:14

I think it’s a very British thing. My mum loves fashion and designer labels but if anyone ever says anything to her like “I love your handbag, I bet that was expensive” she’ll immediately say that it’s a fake even though it isn’t Confused. I think she’s really uncomfortable about having money as she grew up poor and was dirt poor for years so she feels it’s really profligate to waste it on designer stuff.

AgathaAllAlong · 03/02/2022 21:16

I say this in person all the time, it's a compulsion. I don't know why. I think it's because I don't have loads of money and don't want people to think I spend it frivolously? Also especially if it's an eBay bargain or something I'm kind of proud of my find!

NeedAHoliday2021 · 03/02/2022 21:16

Oh God, I’ve literally just said this. Messaged friend to say I bought this today (with a photo). Saw it December and loved it but it was too expensive, now it’s half price so I treated myself. I didn’t say the price as it’s probably still more than Df would spend on clothes. I think it’s when you buy something expensive and want to justify it and not look like you’re showing off. For clothes like Hobbs or Boden they’re distinctive so you don’t want people to think you’ve spent full price Grin it’s a bit weird I guess but not sure why it’s annoying, just small talk.

SpongebobsPants · 03/02/2022 21:17

It honestly has never occurred to me that anyone saying that was virtue signalling. I just thought people liked a bargain! Surely most expensive brands aren't worth the full price and that's why there are regular threads with posters asking for discount codes.

Notanewusertool · 03/02/2022 21:18

I think you should look up the meaning of virtue signalling.

WonderfulYou · 03/02/2022 21:19

The one that gets me is "oh, I like your jacket" "Thanks! I got it from Primark, £15". I have so many friends that do this and it gets on my nerve

I like when people do this as I like to know where they got it from.
When someone spots a bargain it’s nice to let others know.

Luredbyapomegranate · 03/02/2022 21:20

You are over invested.

It means one or more of -

  • they couldn’t afford the full price
  • they like a bargain
  • they don’t want to make people with less money feel bad
  • they were brought up to believe/still belief you shouldn’t spend too much on clothes
  • they don’t want people who know they don’t have much money to think they are overspending

Occasionally it might be virtue signalling, but mostly not.

eldora · 03/02/2022 21:21

I love buying in the sale/markets and have found some amazing bargains.

It does take dedication though, as I sometimes trawl through the thousands of items to find the gems.

The only ones I tell about my bargains are my family and best friends. They love hearing about them. And they often ask if they can have something I’ve bought.

I do pride myself in my bargain hunting abilities. Grin