Thread 2 – De-influencing thread: reasons not to buy things

[Whowhatwerewolf]

Starting Thread 2 as Thread 1 has nearly reached the comment limit.

For anyone new: this thread has a specific purpose. If you are considering buying something but deep down would prefer to save your money, post a link to the item. Other posters will help talk you out of it.

Humour and gentle mockery are very much part of how this thread works, alongside more practical points. Sometimes a light-hearted comment helps something click; other times it’s about noticing details that are easy to miss when you’re tempted.

Common tactics include:

• poking fun (so please don't post something if your feelings will be hurt by this)
• pointing out that you already own something that serves the same purpose
• spotting poor quality, flimsy construction or inferior fabrics hiding behind good photography
• questioning whether the item solves a problem that actually exists
• translating marketing language into plain English

What this thread is not:

• mocking people who wear the item
• ageist sniping (calling something “granny” is actually praise)
• cruelty for its own sake

The target is the thing, not the person.

The previous thread is here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5482885-de-influencing-thread-reasons-why-not-to-buy-things?latest=1

In it we covered a lot of ground including a sad tangerine skirt, another one that looked like it was tucked into your underpants, Gary Glitter shoes, saggy bottoms, air wraps gathering dust and lots of polyester at premium prices.

Also worth restating, based on Thread 1:
This is not a balanced debate thread. It is not “let’s hear both sides”. People who posted positive comments about items were, quite rightly, sent to the naughty corner. This is not the thread for that.

This thread is for people who want to be de-influenced, not gently nudged towards a purchase they already know they’re going to make.

If you’re hovering over Add to basket and need someone to say “step away”, post the link.
If you’re good at spotting polyester pretending to be wool, please contribute.

Thread 2 begins. Same format. Same aim.

I think it’s nice that people are offering cheaper or potentially better alternatives here.

https://www.sezane.com/en-en/product/enea-blouse/sage#size-6

Really like this top and have been coming back to it for a week or so now.

@kryptonfactor those sleeves are a really silly length aren’t they?

I like lots of things on the sezanne website, but that top is a bit fatface for me.

@kryptonfactor , colour won't suit most skin tones and it looks a pig to iron.

It looks like Primark and I hate 3/4 length sleeves.

How many shoes and boots do you already own? So do you really need these, especially as we’re going into Spring.

And so is the hem length. You’d have to wear it with really high waisted bottoms and even then it makes your torso look like a big square.

Looks like a total pain to iron.

I get why it feels helpful, and it's a fine line,, but once we start offering product recommendations it quickly turns into a shopping thread rather than a de-influencing one. The aim here is to interrupt the buy-cycle altogether, not redirect it.

Obviously it's not up to me and I can't control what this thread becomes but I just feel like the whole rest of the Style and Beauty board is available for product recommendations. Can't we just keep this one space for de-influencing?

Couldn’t agree more. If you’re going to spend the ££ at sezanne don’t do it on this. It is boring and unflattering and defo fat face/per una vibes.

That's the laziest tailoring I think I've ever seen for £105. It looks like something I would have knocked up in fourth form in my introduction to sewing class

I really like this but it’s obscenely expensive.

Okay. I’ll leave you to it then. It feels a shame to police people trying to be helpful.

🙈 I’ve been close!

Air wrap totally depends on your hair, it held a curl when I had extensions, but once I was back to my natural fine hair it was rubbish! I prefer tongs for a curl. I sold mine on and bought cloud nine straighteners for a curl

No problem — it’s not about policing, just about keeping this particular thread focused. Plenty of space elsewhere for recommendations.

Of course it’s about policing, when you’re literally telling people what they can and can’t do on the thread. Up to you. I’m out.

It's OP's thread. Feel free to start your own 'alternative buys' thread or post on a thread that isn't a 'talk me out of buying this' thread.

I think you make a fair point, OP. We all buy too much crap.

Not awful, just very dull.

Starting a thread doesn’t give one full ‘creative control’ though. If it did, AIBU would just be full of people agreeing with the OP.

However, I really don’t care that much so I’ll just unfollow the thread and leave you to it.

@marshmallowfluffster ,they're good if you want a little bit of heel without it being noticeable and the price is good but they're not special.

Which pair of boots/shoes you already own would you get rid of to make room in your wardrobe for them? (I really do have to think like this.)

I don't think you've understood the spirit of the thread, @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie .

Wrong. I’ve enjoyed the threads but part of what I’ve enjoyed is people saying that they found X better value than Y etc. I also assumed they were supposed to be lighthearted but they’re not feeling that way now.

😂