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.

@LightUpLavender , they're described as that subtly define the voluminous barrel legs. Do your voluminous barrel legs need defining?.

Agree with PP that they look like a toddler's kecks.

Expectation - summery, casually elegant. Sipping cocktails on Cote d'Azure.
In reality, I will look like I couldn not be arsed to get dressed and am walking around in my pyjamas, won't I?

I like them as pyjamas but will you really be drinking cocktail on your hotel balcony for breakfast?

More like a toddler fruit cocktail pajamas.

Anti elegant.

Please help! I want a Polène Numero Sept in Oxblood.

https://uk.polene-paris.com/products/numero-sept-smooth-burgundy

I currently have a Mulberry Tessie Hobo as my only nice bag but it's showing its age. I think the Polène would subtly signal authority at my work and it would last ages. My coats tend to be tan suede, camel and navy so I think the oxblood would go well. My tops and jumpers are navy, cream, forest green and burgundy so likewise.

I think the Polène would subtly signal authority at my work and it would last ages. 😆
What job do you do? (sorry, but i looks like a nice bag but not the most practical shape)

I'm a manager in a technical field. I like the shape but the only thing I don't like about it is that the crossbody strap isn't detachable so if you wear it as a shoulder bag the strap just hangs there.

@Whowhatwerewolf I find that those bags are the perfect shape to lose everything right at the bottom. You will spend loads of time pulling things out to find the one thing that you need.

Get your Mulberry serviced so it looks like new again.

I was googling new raincoats a couple of days ago as my trusted waterproof Barbour was looking a bit sad and letting ina few drips on the shoulders. Thinking of this thread, I went and bought some Nikwax tech wash and waterproofer and my coat is looking really nice again and the shoulders are dry (its getting a good test today!).

Thank you all, I think that's worked. Repairing things we already have is a great idea, @canyon2000 - more environmentally friendly and quite satisfying also I think.

This one is easy. It’s smooth leather, you are going to pay 420 euro for the pleasure of scratching it with your keys within the first 5 minutes of use.

Thank you @CortieTat you've landed the knockout blow. It's the scratches on my Mulberry that bother me so the last thing I want is a scratched-up new bag.

i work in a technical field. I can't say I've noticed anyone's handbag unless it was naff.

My Fitbit died too (the third one, I swear they have built in obsolescence) and I was automatically going to replace it. Then I thought, hang on, I exercise four times a week and walk wherever possible. I’ve been doing that long enough for it to become a habit. So what am I hoping to gain from replacing the Fitbit? I felt a bit nervous about it so agreed with my inner voice just to trial four weeks without it. I’ve never looked back. I get to wear my lovely big faced watch again so I can see what time it is without taking my glasses off first, and it’s one less source of pass-agg e-monitoring in my life. Give it a go, you can always buy a replacement in the spring sales if you really miss it!

I never quite know about burgundy. One minute I think it’s classic and stylish, and the next I find it quite dowdy and dated.

I was thinking about this. I’ve had my Polar for three years and a cheap Chinese one before that. I have a lovely Antea Kleine Sekunde that accumulates dust but I have not dared to leave the sport watch behind. I miss a proper watch a lot, especially a mechanical one. I bookmarked your post ❤️

thank you all, it really helped, pyjama looking garments will not be bought.

https://callashoes.co.uk/products/patricia-black-leather
I need a good reason to resist these. I have the right sort of feet to need expensive shoes (i.e. difficult feet) so the price isn't putting me off.

Why do you need them? They're a bit like what my mother wore in the 1980s

Oh, I don't need them. But I do want them!

I wanted to ask to be de-influenced away from buying a Celtic & co pleated wool skirt but completely by accident (right!?) I visited vinted and found a very similar vintage Celine skirt, with exact measurements given by the seller for next to nothing. I’m still recovering from the shock.

Fabulous! (Even though I confessed earlier on this thread to having a bit of an eBay/Vinted addiction, so I shouldn't encourage anyone further ...)

That sounds like a very considered alternative purchase - with a big dose of serendipity thrown in!!

Oh my God I didn't know these existed but now I want them in red too!!

No. They look like a child's first pair of Clarks/Start-Rite shoes (though secretly I quite like them too ... but there is nothing good about a middle-aged woman wearing shoes made for a five-year-old!!).

They're lovely, and I don't think they're only appropriate for certain age groups.
It's actually quite a modern retro look.
However, the sole has no grip, and the other poster said that the top buckle is a bit irritating.
So, for practical rather than style reasons, maybe not!