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 have some suede ones and find them pretty uncomfortable. More comfortable than normal heels but still uncomfortable. Also very heavy.

Heavy shoes? Not good. That's a reason not to buy them.

Well this thread has saved me some money because it’s stopped me buying the shirt I was hankering after a few days ago. I look at it now and just think ‘meh’.

True, is meant to make each other think twice on a purchase, not attack someone who's not even on here about their looks.

We're judging the products, not people.

Exactly. Negative language like that really doesn't help!

Top up the gift voucher for better quality shoes. As PP said, they're plastic.

I sent mine back as didn't look as good in person.

Thirded - what a horrible post.

Synthetic and rubber, your toes will be having a fungal party in those!

Get your athletes foot cream at the ready.

"a fungal party" 😂

£550 for something that will just sit in your wardrobe, because you don’t want the kids to ruin it, it’s impractical for a trip to Aldi and not comfy enough for the school run…and it’s dry clean only.
And they’ve only two sizes left.
That might help make your decision for you ?

I love the pattern but it looks quite plastic and it's open top so impractical in the rain and high risk of getting pickpocketed. Doesn't look worth the money. A simpler plain bag with a piece Liberty fabric tied round the handle would look more chic.

We had one. It was great until the spring on the bar holding it shut when in pyro mode broke in use and the metal bar it held shattered the oven door. Which was blooming frightening. To be fair, it was just out warranty but the company did still replace it. We haven’t used pyro mode since!

This is, hands-down, THE best thread ever. Well done OP 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Am duly talked down from the Esska wedge heels for now.

Next up: a bright orange pleated skirt. I love her. Help me!

https://florere.com/products/pleated-midaxi-skirt?variant=41888376619092&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23276906568&gbraid=0AAAABCBDUBIZ1DT-Yc39rVx8v-JK8uzBw&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm9fLBhCQARIsAJoNOcuhgfzQNqvkjbn0_KcTqgdjcVz7MczyNc8KOoSifUCcWfaF1PnQxCsaAqoAEALw_wcB

Thanks - good points. You're right about the non zip closure, and that's a good tip about the plainer bag with Liberty fabric 👍

This is beautiful and reduces, but it's polyester and dry clean or hand wash only! And only available in size 8.

100% polyester and hand wash/ dry clean only.

100% polyester and hand wash/ dry clean only.

Not sure why those should put any one off. There's polyester and there's polyester - not all is poor quality. Most of my clothes are hand wash or dry clean only.

Esska silver platform soles remind me of Gary Glitter.

I now feel in need to look in the john lewis sale 🤷🙈

Final nail in the coffin for the Esska’s. Bravo 👏🏻

Sooooo much money for so much polyester, would you eat a bright orange skirt like that? It doesn’t even look appetising.

Also pleats are a lot of work (speaking from experience) you will have to keep on paying to have it dry-cleaned, so if I were you I would just burn a bunch of notes, film it and post it on YouTube instead. You might end up earning some money from ads!

I think where people push back on polyester is what it’s made from — it’s essentially plastic, sheds microplastics, and doesn’t age particularly well. That matters more to some people than others. I do have some polyester clothes too, mostly workout wear and also fleeces made from recycled polyester, so I agree it has its place. But personally I'd want a more sustainable fabric for a skirt that's still expensive even on sale.

Oops, sorry @Doglover73 I'll put myself in the naughty corner along with the others.

It would put me off entirely. Even ‘good’ polyester is still horrible, sweaty, plasticky stuff. I wouldn’t buy anything that needs dry cleaning or hand washing on a regular basis.

I had basically the exact skirt a few years ago from Matalan. They don’t look any different. In photos I look laughable, like a faintly embarrassed tangerine.