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.

Just chiming in with the Mulberry chat - I don’t have a bag, as expensive bags aren’t for me, but I do have a purse given as a gift. Daily use for 20 years. It’s still perfect apart from a slight tear in the lining.

I imagine that like most brands, the quality is not quite the same now.

Last year I got a Mulberry Alexa, mini I think, from eBay. For £50 inc delivery. It’s already worn in and I love it! It was a bargain, I’d never spend full whack!

That surely can’t have been a genuine one? Second hand ones are usually about £200-300.

I have a secondhand Proenza Schouler satchel which I intend to use until it falls apart, so no issue with buying secondhand - but that cheap is honestly suspiciously cheap! Unless it was badly damaged.

@Tigerbalmshark , I once put a pair of well-worn but still wearable designer shoes on Ebay.
They were proper designer (well-known Italian brand).
I put them on for 99p expecting about £30.
I got 99p.I'd pitched them too low. Someone got a bargain.

Yes, of course. Not here :-) It’s missing the metal hardware at the front. Perfect for me, I am not a target for bling.

I was surprised at the price too but it all checked out as genuine - so if it’s a fake it’s a very good one!

I’ve sold designer handbags like the above for £50 before, mostly because I just want rid of them and don’t have the original receipt etc, some have had an authentication card but tbh when I’m decluttering I’m absolutely ruthless.

I really want to buy this. I have switched to solid body soap bars and won't go back. I have loads of liquid shampoo to use up though. But I wants it!

https://howaboutnope.com/products/peppermint-refresh-head-to-toe-shampoo-bar

I wouldn’t buy it if you already have plenty of liquid shampoo. Shampoo bars are a bit faffy to use. Also any product that claims to be suitable for all hair types is actually optimised for none.

It was Mulberry. I was appalled as it needs only minor work - a few scratches and the colour is worn on the piping.

I bought a Mulberry Bayswater second-hand on Vinted a couple of years ago. Although it arrived in good condition, it has aged really badly and now looks much worse than non-designer leather bags I've had for much longer. I wouldn't buy a Mulberry again, and to be honest I wouldn't spend more than a couple of hundred quid on a leather handbag again in a hurry, as non-designer options seem to have served me best.

Also, I tend to be hard on bags and shoes, and gaining insight into that helps me buy more mindfully now!

Feel free to send them my way! Would love an Alexa but it’s so similar to the PS1 I can’t really justify it.

@Tigerbalmshark I got a chocolate brown Alexa on a charity shop last week for £75, it's well used, I have a few Mulberrys to compare it to, the leather is beautiful, it's definitely legit

I really want an Arket sweatshirt. I had one a while back, wore it lots but then got bleach on it. I have a few other sweatshirts (3-4) but I liked this one best. The periwinkle blue is really nice too

https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/terry-sweatshirt-blue-1283133016/

This is a really good point and true for pretty much every type of clothes and accessories for me. Logically I realise what I need to do is focus on knowing I have enough of everything and not getting distracted by the shiny new things that come along. Maybe meditation or journalling or something like that would help.

As I said I didn't order that Polène bag and now I don't even want it anymore. The cross body strap not being detachable was definitely a design flaw and would have ended up annoying me. At the moment there's nothing I even want which is a great feeling but I know from experience it won't last!

Would you be ordering it online? The Trust pilot reviews of Arket are shocking https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/arket.com

I probaly wore the same swearshirt in 1982, aged 6.
you are a grown woman, you deserve better. It might look good on the website, but in reality it will make you look frumpy - pass

It's not pretty blue, it's uniform blue. I'm pretty sure my plumber's work overalls were exactly the same colour.

Now i need help with these. They are on sale, i do need summer shoes, heel is not too high so ok for driving, they seem to be versatile - overall a good staple to refresh my shoe collection.

https://www.modainpelle.com/sandals-c29/heeled-sandals-c41/kizara-tan-leather-p16052

Looks like something a prisoner would wear

I used the yarn bought with the blessing of OP and the scarf is now ready, just uploaded to my wardrobe app.

Hmm that in itself doesn't put me off as trustpilot is pretty unmoderated and ranty, plus I have an Arket within a walking distance from work...

I quite like the utilitarian look - I wear overalls too 😅 if it still bugs me I might go amd see what the colour looks like in person. I also like the bright red version.
Must
Not
Succumb

The sole looks hard, like a clog - as if it has no bend in it. I also find that straps like that always chafe