De-influencing thread - reasons why NOT to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Like quite a few people on here I have been trying to reduce or eliminate buying new clothes or beauty treats in 2026. For the most part I've failed miserably but I'm going to keep trying. One thing that helps me greatly is being de-influenced from a purchase. Unfortunately I'm very easily influenced by advertisements but my saving grace is that I can be easily dissuaded from buying things also.

Recently two lovely posters (@Johanna and @Cortietat ) managed to stop me from buying overpriced Sweaty Betty pilates socks and a potentially somewhat wonky Eribé fair isle cardigan respectively by telling me what wasn't so great about these items. I'm so appreciative as this has saved me heaps of money. So I was wondering whether anyone else has anything they'd liked to be talked out of purchasing?

The idea is to post something on this thread that you're considering buying despite trying to save money via a no buy or low buy commitment or simply because you're not sure about a purchase. Other posters respond to say why you shouldn't buy. If anyone thinks what you're considering getting is the best thing since sliced bread and you should definitely proceed they keep quiet about it please as this isn't the thread for that.

So...is anyone in?

I’m in! I use a list of questions to find reasons not to buy something but it’s often hard. I also try to plan at least a couple of outfits with the thing I want, if I cannot do that it’s a good argument not to buy.

Please help me out!
https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/vivienne-westwood-tartan-side-panther-cotton-mini-skirtR04561980/#colour=MULTI

I am desperately in love with this skirt! I have so many tops it would go with, cardigans and I love the fabric.

I've been trying to deinfluence myself - I'm trying to lose the last bit of baby weight (what size would I buy?) and also I don't know when I would wear it. But I NEED it!

Edit to add - I can justify it because I haven't brought any new clothes for almost 2 years, and I know I would it would be loved and looked after for years

This is a fabulous idea op! I don't have anything, but I'm here in solidarity.

@Goldpanther , your link didn't work for me, but whenever I start wondering if I can "justify" something that's a clue right there.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/vivienne-westwood-tartan-side-panther-cotton-mini-skirt_R04561980/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18713316690&gbraid=0AAAAADr4D5hXH1Wxm4rOWUKbmPUgTRhhk&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopM92i2eueQ_935acFH3y-wM1aDwxFq-iq3-kyymUVTBO9ucqm-tSSQaAv73EALw_wcB#colour=MULTI is the link

Brilliant idea. I wish I had this last week. Just popped £500 on a facial an I’m no closer to looking like a boiled egg.
too tips for me to de influence is to ruthlessly unsubscribe to promotional emails. So distracting.

@goldpanther Your kids will just ruin it.

I googled. It looks a bit like you're dating a lumberjack, had a toilet accident at his house and put his shirt on backwards as a skirt to cover your shame.

It's also very clueless inspired which is almost over (sadly) as a trend and then you'll look like supergran (if you are unaware then Google image search and the skirt won't tempt you any longer)

It's dry clean only so a massive hassle and looks like it'll bobble to buggery if it goes near a washing machine.

Helpful?

£500?!?

@Goldpanther polyester cotton which is dry clean only doesn't sound very well made. I think the ruching would come out quickly so cost per wear would be high.

Yes, please can someone talk me out of buying this blouse? I’ve managed to kick my wine habit. Now I need to tackle my shopping habit.
https://www.fatface.com/style/su780059/h64469

That's the nicest prison uniform I've seen since 1926.

Well it looks like as soon as you put it on it will look like an old creased tea towel.
do you like ironing?!

It looks like you’ve got your skirt tucked in your knickers.

next!

It doesn't look like a real tartan to me - I have a dish towel that looks like that.

[Too far?]

My mum always counselled against purchasing linen: "It's just work."

Mum was a housekeeper for 13 yrs and knew her stuff.

I cannot take part because if anyone tells me not to do something, I’m almost guaranteed to do it out of sheer stubbornness 🤷🏻‍♀️

It will crinkle, show sweat patches and will look like you’ve slept in it after 10 minutes of wear

Ok, I am being very tempted by wee sachets of a magnesium drink becsuse most adults are deficient in it and taking it will help me sleep better. Or it might be nonsense. Do I need to try these?

This is what I needed to hear (read?) I didn't even register it was poly cotton, assumed it was cotton. 100% puts me off.

If you need magnesium then check out the different types. There is one type (citrate??) that gave me diarrhea for the entire time I was taking it.

Some magnesium can have a strong laxative effect (that may put you off or not depending on your needs!!!)

I would really love to buy this Dior nail varnish (sorry for the long link, I don't know how you make them shorter!)

I only wear clear or tinted varnish, I tried it in the shop and it looked only the tiniest bit different to the one I was already wearing (maybe even too pink), I would never consider paying that much for a nail varnish except I've been suckered into people telling me how great it is.

I keep thinking it will be like the Dior Glow lip oil which is just better and more luxurious than any other lip oil I've used.

Someone please talk me down, I'm trying to pay off my debt for goodness sake I don't NEED it!

https://www.dior.com/en_gb/beauty/products/dior-nail-glow-C099700553.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=GoogleAds&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PCD_PC_GBR_ALL_UNI_MUP_OGOING_EC_PMAX_GGL_CRD_ENG_GBP_NOA_BRA&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18329871480&gbraid=0AAAAADCQsaAczH3Rz8qS_bnoF8JVhOTDl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo5Wf4pivkgMVpZGDBx2hYSMkEAQYBSABEgKK4vD_BwE

@Sixseventeenthe pps are right. If you buy that shirt, the maintainance will be off putting. I have obe like thst that has been in the bottom of my ironing basket 2 years this summer 😳

The sleeves look like they'll shrink in the wash and they've tried to hide that in the photo by then rolling them up. I've found quality of fat face is shocking now too. Money for old rope!

Good to know!!!