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?

My 12 year old from skinny kid with no bum at all, suddenly grew to my height, put a lot of weight, had period, complete new shape of bum, not fat, just suddenly all curvaceous....I cannot buy her replacement growth fast enough, so I gave her all mine sizes 8 and 10 and now she is on 14 and 16. I transferred all my clothes budget to her and live in my old 4 trousers, and endless supply of cheap tops which I have gathered the last 15 years.

I’ve had this before and it’s no great shakes. The essie version is better.

I need to stay off this thread ….. itching to buy this now and had been nowhere near my radar 🤦‍♀️

I recently started using Chämpo shampoo and conditioner. It smells gorgeous and does seem to give my hair more bounce than Olaplex, but reading what you wrote I’ve realised that my scalp doesn’t itch any more, either.

It's £38 for both!!

Baby shampoo's sulphate-free. When my scalp itches, I use Nizoral shampoo at £8 for a tiny bottle which, mysteriously, lasts ages.

That dress will flatten your bust if you have even the hint of a bust, as its high necked too, you will look like your boots are too low. From the side, even with a jacked up bra, it will push your boots down. And it's denim, so no give. And tight. Would you wear it if we get a hot summer again? Or get a nice cool fave dress out instead.

You could chop a v neck out, I suppose.

I have fine hair.
the kerastase volume shampoo is amazing… expensive but need a very small amount.
When my hair is longer or weightier and due cut I will put conditioner on my dry hair and then shampoo conditioner out.. it doesn’t need to be expensive, supermarket conditioner will do. .. it transforms my hair and is bouncy .

Very tempted with these. I wear very boring sensible classic clothes and these would cheer them up. I don't need them as I have shoes already so won't be barefoot! I just love then. I'm quite old.

I dont need them. I can manage wthout them. Are they horrible ? I have a gift voucher though:)

That's quite nasty and very judgemental. She probably thinks she looks great in good quality knitwear despite what you think.

Those shoes remind me of Theresa May......

They're plastic. But they're reduced to £30 at John Lewis, so get 'em 👍

There will always be beautiful things.
It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it - no matter how cheap it seems on Vinted!
Something else will catch your eye next week.
(But seriously, that Vivienne Westwood skirt on the first page of this thread looked so cheap and tacky I can’t believe they had the nerve to ask £550 for it..)

Where's the rest of it?

... or do any of these take your fancy?
https://www.vinted.co.uk/catalog?search_text=leopard%20print%20ballet%20flats&catalog[]=1904&page=1&time=1769817655&status_ids[]=6&status_ids[]=1&price_to=25&currency=GBP

Good luck talking me out of these:

https://esskashoes.com/products/venice-vegan-platinum

Perfect for what? Playing grannies while wearing the Hermes scarf for added fun.

I wouldn’t pay £5 for it in a charity shop.

Nothing wrong with being a granny.

I had a pair like that in 1974! Fabulous!
I say go for it.

1000% agree with this! I have always loved our Henry until it broke, and used it over the £800 all singing stick vacuums my partner likes 🙄 but his tradesman dad gifted us one of these recently because he was so impressed by it and I'd say it's lighter and more powerful than a Henry!

Beesandhiney Those shoes are bad for your feet. Too flat. Will cause your feet to have to grip to keep them on.

They’re not leather, so £99 for sweaty feet that will rub and how often will you wear that colour? The do look pretty, but you could get better quality cheaper

Nooooo @RanyaJerodung ...and you were doing so well. What happened?

@Mounjaroday are you vegan? As vegan shoes won't be as comfortable as real leather, won't look as nice over time and tend to cause blisters. Will you wear them often? If not there are plenty of cheaper similar shoes out there for example
https://www.johnlewis.com/paradox-london-livia-metallic-high-block-heeled-sandals/p114130843?sshare=jlappdroid or look on Vinted. I have a version from Clarks that mostly gathers dust.
Basically what @SlothSpiritAnimal said.

Going against the point of the thread, I bought those from the seconds shop on eBay and love them.
They are the only heels I have to take on holiday as they match everything and are so so comfy.
Talk you out of full price but look on eBay seconds.

I'm so sorry, @Whowhatwerewolf ! 😂
I had a bout of nostalgia! It was going well. I was very nearly talked out of the expensive Liberty bag until someone used "Granny" as a pejorative term.
As you say, it was going so well! 😂

That's a good point. Not even leather. The cheaper options sound better.