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 another thing entirely to have cheaper recommendations. This is about not buying and thereby reducing consumption. I was so tempted by that Liberty handbag, but have resisted! I don't want a cheaper version, I've got loads of handbags and really didn't need to buy that one!

I've got a pair. They look like I've stuffed my feet into a couple of baked potatoes.

Why would you want to look like her anyway? She's an apologist for the activities of the South Dorset Hunt (headed up by her husband), which has been found on numerous occasions to use trail hunting as a cover for injuring, mutilating & killing deer & foxes.

Oh, & I agree with @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - they are also one of the most awful pairs of trousers I've ever seen!!

I have ordered twice from Modainpelle and twice the delivery and the returns were a disaster.
i am now steering away from them.

Well I am a weak woman! I posted in the original thread about the Dior nail glow varnish. Lots of people telling me not to buy, but others telling me it's well worth it!

Went to Boots on Sunday and put some on my thumb, just inspected my nails and the nails my normal varnish are on (put on on Saturday night) are dull, chipped, scruffy looking. The nail with the Dior nail glow on is still shiny and perfect! I ordered with 20% from Boots this morning 🫣

Tried to take pictures but the picture doesn't do the Dior justice EDIT it won't let me add pictures, you'll just have to trust me that the Dior is far superior 😁

Not a fan of hers at all but that doesn’t stop me from thinking she is stylish.

I had quite a few Sézane things and I can see here all the hallmarks of their not so great construction. This blouse is:

1. very short and boxy - 47 cm is too short even for me and I am only 161 cm high (5’3?) with a short torso
2. has both puffy shoulders and puffy cuffs, unless you are very tall and slender it will give you a charming look of an ice hockey player. Trust me I know, we have an ice hockey team in every town.
3. the model is not really showing the blouse, even in the photo where she’s standing she has her hair over the collar. I suspect that this is to hide the fact that the collarless model combined with broad shoulders gives the Chairman Mao vibes
4. maybe I’m spoiled but nearly all my Sézane stuff ended on vinted except few trustworthy, simple items. It’s a lot of hype and the clothes don’t live up to the hype in real life.

I hope the thread is more about reducing consumption and less about finding cheap alternatives.

I’m grateful to PP that they successfully talked me out of buying the Hermès scarf instead of offering aliexpress. Alice Shirley’s designs are among the most faked ones so I would definitely be able to find a cheaper “alternative” together with a fake box and a fake tag!

@kryptonfactor those sleeves look as though they would end up round your armpits the moment you tried to put a jacket on.

Re the Birkenstocks, I had a pair of Moshulu mule/clogs some years ago. They were uncomfortable and really hard to keep on. Or walk in. I may still have them, it’s been perhaps 20 years and I still can’t get to grips with them. My toes curl if I so much as look at them!

I really want this suitcase! I do actually need a suitcase this size. It's so expensive though. But I really love it...

https://www.johnlewis.com/sara-miller-4-wheel-77cm-large-suitcase-82l-midnight-leopard/p113898407

Re the Sézane top
the sleeves are too short to wear a long sleeve thermal top underneath so the only way you can wear it now is the put a cardigan over it which will hide half the design anyway. Wait until the weather is warm enough to wear such a thing. You’ll. Probably have gone off it by May anyway. Sézane do loads of these type of tops so don’t get the FOMO.

Ok - we now actually have a naughty corner! If you’re itching to suggest alternatives, share a success story, or admit you went ahead and bought the thing and loved it, I’ve set up a separate offshoot thread.

That way this thread can stay firmly de-influencing, and all the influencers can misbehave happily elsewhere. Hopefully that will suit everyone.

If you're naughty and you just can't help yourself please head over (@scoobydeedoo I'm looking at you for one, though I'm glad your enjoying your nail polish)

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5485794-the-naughty-corner-influencing-alternatives-things-that-actually-worked?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

If you need a suitcase, @Appalonia , then buy it. I'm not going on the naughty step, please!
Perhaps @Whowhatwerewolf 's other thread about cheaper alternatives? 😊

That thread’s “down the back of the sofa” apparently.

It’s a nice suitcase but if you plan to use it on flights it won’t be looking as nice after the first one. Checked in luggage is handled really rough, my 20 year old suitcase looked 20 years old after its virgin flight.

Oh! (I am actually looking for a new sofa...)

I've been lurking and thoroughly enjoying myself - and what's amazing is that I seem to be developing an internalised viper that can make sarky deinfluencing comments without external input 😀- but just wanted to say that link isn't working, is it the "and" in italics that's breaking it in the middle?

Thanks for the thread, OP, it's excellent.

Nooo don't tell me to buy it! 😂

All I can see is a very shiny new toy for baggage handlers to throw around with enthusiasm. Are you intending it to go in the hold? If so I suspect it will get damaged very quickly. Sara Miller is a lifestyle brand not a luggage brand known for robust construction.

Ooooops - it's here (hopefully!) I'll report my post and ask HQ to update the link

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5485794-the-naughty-corner-influencing-alternatives-things-that-actually-worked?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

😂
No, but if you need a suitcase, hurtle over to the new thread. Don't buy it if you have enough luggage already!

@Appalonia it is a pretty suitcase. But how often do you use a suitcase and get to see it at the same time? It will either be in the boot of the car, inside an aeroplane (or luggage rack of a train) or in the loft waiting for the next brief 3 minute slot in life when you glance at it as you rush off to go on holiday.

Please help!

I miscalculated the amount of yarn needed for a project. It’s a scarf knitted sideways and I am at the tail, so probably missing around 15 grams of yarn.
I do have a ball of handspun yarn in a similar colour that I have spun myself. But it’s quirky and “tweedy”, similar in thickness but has bits of other fibres and colours (on purpose). The difference will be definitely noticeable.

Can you talk me out of buying the extra ball of yarn? Do you think I can use my own handspun to finish the tail? I honestly can’t decide if it’s a good or bad idea. I can provide pictures if needed.

What would happen if you tried using your homespun yarn and ended up not liking it? Could you unpick it without damaging the yarn or the project?