Anyone feel sad that they don’t want anything from the sales?

[PersonaNonGarter]

I usually love the January sales. All the gorgeous knitwear and boots and cashmere scarves. I can’t wait.

But this year there is nothing I want! Nothing to get excited about or plan an outfit around. It’s depressing. There are some quite stylish things out there but nah can’t be arsed.

Why?! Is it just me? Has it been a dull season?

I've bought a,few items as 1) I've worn out a number of items 2) I'm a size or so smaller so I'm wearing trousers up to my armpits

I agree it's all a bit uninspiring out there. I went local today, bought some wide legged silky trousers in Mint Velvet, a lightweight top in Crew Clothing, bag in Accessorise and some PJ's and undies in M&S and that was it. Once I'd got Xmas cards and gift bags that was it, I was ready for home (but got lured by DH into the pub for a wine).

I think for me I'm re-assessing my wardrobe as I'm planning to retire next year, so I don't need so much work/smart stuff as I would normally pick up. I've become more selective as well - not buying things just because they are cheap.

I feel uninspired too OP. I keep looking at things and thinking they would be good for work, then I remember we’re WFH again! I don’t need any more casual stuff, the only thing I’ve been motivated to buy was some glamorous pyjamas!

@YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

Perhaps a silver lining could be that you are experiencing contentment with what you already have? Could this be an opportunity to appreciate the relief of not wanting? You are also not contributing to the normalisation of gratuitous consumption, of acquisition for its own sake, thus having a positive impact on the environment and the climate. I think it is a cause for celebration!

Definitely agree!

This year I have really tried to only buy items that I will wear thirty or more times and as a result my usual spurge in the sales has been ruined because I can’t find anything that I would wear even half that, or even like that much.

Yeah, I haven’t seen anything I want. Which is a good thing, because I’m trying really hard to stop buying shit for the sake of it, and only if there’s an actual gap that needs to be filled. I have bought myself five pairs of knickers, though- biodegradable bamboo ones in pretty colours. Small things

I can't seem to find anything worth buying. I usually get loads for the DCs aswell but this year it's all rubbish. Everything for boys is just black and covered in playstation motifs, and for girls it's all cropped tops

Have too many unworn things from over-purchasing in the first couple of lockdowns. Last couple of years just haven’t warranted an extensive wardrobe!

Late to this thread - I felt exactly the same!
I don't think it helped by shops having 'half-sales' - things reduced beforehand - I eventually went back to said shops on Christmas Eve & their REAL sales were on.
Having said that, I haven't bought much, and I worked hard at it! :-)
I have a jacket & trousers coming from M&S - they've already emailed & asked me what I thought of them, they aren't due for delivery until the 7th!! :-0
I got bras from M&Co for £3 & £2! Fit lovely. I usually buy Curvy Kate at £20+.
H&M - cushion covers, candle sconces, a dress but that was a bit tight (size 18, omg!) so is going back..
Stirrup pants - maybe not the height of fashion but snuggly when it's cold - forgotten where they came from..
Oh & Dunelm - Christmas paper & tags for next Christmas, lol, along with a few homey things. :-)
No cards - didn't bother sending this year, decided to wait and see who sent me one first! So apart from family & closest friends, I actually posted about 5.. so I've got about 3 packs for next Christmas.. :-)

I've long given up expecting to find anything in sales that is worth having or is a real discount. I've found it liberating to be honest.

I was redundant last winter so spent literally nothing. After a grotty year, I badly wanted to treat myself and anyway, most of my winter tops are only fit for the bin.

After seven hours of dedicated browsing, I have finally found something I like! A wine-red lambs wool top that will see me snuggly through Jan-March zoom calls.

Batwing jumpers put me right off.

Me.

Not because there won't be great bargains to be found, just because looking for them exhausts and depresses me.

I am at that stage where no amount of jostling in crowds all behaving like starved dogs fighting over some bit of polyester tat that's been brought in especially as 'sale' stock is worth whatever genuine bargain I might unearth.

And actually, although I have found the odd gem in the past, if I'm completely honest the majority of clothing in the sales I've bought has been wrong all along and never got worn, because it was some very unusual colour/pattern/style that meant I could never find anything to go with it, or the right occasion to wear it.

Which is exactly why it was in the sale. Everyone else clearly thought the same. So I've probably wasted more money than I've saved, over the years of sales shopping.

Exceptions are furniture, bedding, saucepans and homewares.

jostling in crowds all behaving like starved dogs fighting over some bit of polyester tat

Heavens - that’s all very Hieronymus Bosch!

I can’t remember the last time I attended a sale at a physical shop. Pretty much all my sale shopping happens overnight, under the duvet.

And no polyester tat occurs!

I agree with pps re not having anywhere to go and things getting cancelled. I guess a big part of the excitement of clothes is having somewhere to wear them to.

Yes. Normally if I buy something new I'll think "ooh I can wear it to...." but now it's to what?

@CurlyhairedAssassin

God there are lots of frumpy horrible styles and fabrics out there. So much looks like a middle aged mum from M and S in the 80s. And everything is either at the cheaper end and recycled plastic or so-called designer stuff that is poor quality at truly shocking prices. I just hate clothes shopping these days. It’s just all so meh.

Completely agree. All those droopy floral polyester dresses designed for hiding lockdown tums. Even in shops like LK Bennett and Jigsaw who charge £300 for the privilege. No thanks.

I notice that synthetic fabrics are now the default option. If something is made of cotton, silk or wool the thumbnail description on the website tells you about it. Eg ‘wool blend coat’ which might only have 40% wool in it and won’t be as warm or hard wearing as a proper wool coat. No mention of the fibre in the thumbnail = polyester or viscose.

The constant ‘Hurray 20% off ends tonight’ emails that arrive every day since the start of the pandemic have really begun to get wearing.

Once it was just golf shops, now it’s good brands. It’s made the whole shopping experience pretty tacky and blend in to one.

It looks like lots of us feel the same. Normally DS2 and I have a trip to the Trafford Centre this week to see what we can spot and I try to get birthday presents to put away for later in the year but we aren't going to bother.
Friends I've spoken to over Christmas have all said they have no enthusiasm for bargain hunting. I remember when I was growing up footage of the start of the sales at Harrods and Selfridges made the national tv news programmes. These days with the internet there's no need to battle public transport or find a parking space.
One set of friends have bought new pans and I need new bras so I'll probably go out tomorrow for them.