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?

Disagree.

You can't reward that copywriter by buying that perfume. You must punish him or her for that copy!

I saw a post on Insta (the irony) that said

You don’t need [insert item here] you just have a high screen time usage.

Don’t buy the Hilaine(?) minimiser bra. Terrible fit, and makes no difference to appearance at all.

Just buy cheap magnesium tablets from a pharmacy or H&B. You don’t need it in drink form!

Every online ad I see is for collagen, it will apparently improve every single thing that is wrong with me but it does sound rank, but there are loads of (peri based?) things wrong with me.

Perhaps the negative comments from posters will help to dissuade you from spending a fortune on this skirt. I'm inclined to agree with them. Having said that as with all garments it's a matter of taste.

£990 for gold PLATED and CUBIC ZIRCONIA!! Absolute pisstake charging that much for those materials!

Here's what different magnesium does (sorry won't stop you buying but at least you might get cheaper tablets that work!)

Magnesium Citrate - regulates blood sugar, decrease stress, good for muscle and nerves, constipation (gives me the runs )

Magnesium glycinate- good for perimenopause take 3 hours before bed increases sleep, good for muscle and nerves, helps with depression

Magnesium L-threonate-
good for memory and helps depression

Magnesium oxide
Depression and good for stomach acid reflux

😂

@CoralTrout that neckline will feel awful touching and itching on your neck and it will make you overheat and your face will go red.

Ooh 😍

I want to be on the panel, forever.

Agree!!

I'm sure it's nice, but when I saw it the first notion that came to mind was army surplus.

I love my mulbs!! 💝

I do the spray on my feet! No idea if it does anything 😂

I want to buy this cardigan. Deinfluence me!

communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jumpers-knitwear/products/womens-heavy-cable-cardigan-charcoal

I am shit at blow drying my hair, so my usual technique on my hair is to blast it, then use hair straighteners when it’s done, so I don’t look like I fell out of a bush. I’ve convinced myself a Dyson Airstrait is the answer not just to my hair styling failings, but also for my daughter’s incredibly long/takes forever to blow dry hair.

Please tell me why it is not the answer!

It looks like a school skirt that a teenage pupil has attempted to make look cool by pinning it up a bit. Few people will know it's a Westwood piece, and it just makes me think of hentaii (animé porn).

There's no good evidence that collagen will do anything to help you. The only slightly promising studies are industry-funded and even these are totally inconclusive. You're better off eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and getting exercise. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250214-do-collagen-supplements-work

I think this looks horrible, like something you get given to wear at work if they're too tight to heat the shop.
But the main reason not to buy it is it will only be useful at a very specific temperature - too cold for if it's actually cold out & will make you look like the Michelin man if you put something over the top and pointless if it's warm.

@RichardOnslowRoper the cardie gets points for being made of wool but I think it looks very boxy. It's a bit boring for over £100.

I've had two BNWT Radley bags from Vinted for under £100 each that have done me very well. I'm actually swapping for a Roka (sorry!) but a) after 5 years approx of daily use the handles don't look good on the tote bag b) my Radley backpack doesn't really fit my laptop and c) the Roka tote was £20 so if it's a mistake it's a cheap mistake.

I needed this, thank you. I keep thinking it is the answer to all my problems