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 love linen! I love it crisp, I love it looking like a shar pei! I genuinely do not bother about the immediate crumpling. I want to wear it with a Panama hat and look all louche and relaxed…

I will be absolutely no use when it comes to de-influencing a linen purchase!

I have the face of a shar pei. I don't need clothes to match.

I dunno? Some people like the matchy-matchy look…like the pyjamas-a-like of co-ord sets…

You could go for a face/linen co-ord look. Make it intentional.

I'll try that. Thanks!
I think a nude coloured lycra outfit would do too.

PER-FEC-TION!

It sounds most stylish and en vogue…

This thread is just what I need at the moment! I love knitting but can't seem to stop buying it at the moment. I have enough yarn for about 80 garments but still get carried away when I see new yarns and patterns. Help!!!

Please help and tell me not to buy any plastic tat however cheap it is… Damn you instagram!!

I can really relate — for me it’s clothes rather than yarn, but the feeling is exactly the same. Knitting and yarn collecting (like wearing clothes and buying them!) are basically two different hobbies I think.

I’ve found it helps to stop looking at new clothes/yarns for a bit and “shop” your own things instead. The urge to buy is often just a dopamine hit rather than a real need — and using what you already have is way more satisfying in the end.

I don't know whether that helps at all but I also want to say being able to make and wear your own unique things is very cool in my opinion. I used to knit a bit - nothing complicated but it was satisfying. I might pick it back up but could very easily end up with yet another category of things to shop for!

Thanks that definitely makes sense that it’s a dopamine hit. I would love to set a goal for not buying any more until I’ve knitted what I have

The plastic ones are entirely shit - I don’t have thick hair at all and the plastic one I had snapped in two after a couple of uses. Really really pointless!

I can totally relate. It does get better with time when you try to work on it and actively resist. This thread has been helpful to me, even reading other people’s arguments is often enough to see how silly some of my wants were. The shopping my wardrobe thread also helps me, it makes me realise that I have many good quality clothes that can be combined endlessly.

I’ve just successfully de-influenced myself from buying a Philips Lumea or similar. I don’t need one. I don’t! I have an electric razor for my legs and tweezers for my chin and that’s fine.

Phew!

Me neither! I live in linen in summer and love it, and couldn't care less whether it looks crumpled or not - and no-one has ever asked why I haven't ironed it. The crumpling is part of the attraction.

Must get a Panama hat before summer is over.

I paid £££ for the Fiona Franchimon ones, I have fine hair and they slip right out, biggest waste of money, I thought they’d give me that chic look but unfortunately that’s not the case.

I will de-influence you a little more, I’ve had one for years, and used it about 3 times, it does about an inch square at a time, so a leg takes hours, it’s not painful but the sensation is definitely unpleasant and you don’t know which area you’ve covered so it’s pot luck, you also have to shave the area first, so a double faff. You also need to wear sunglasses when you use it if I remember correctly, obviously mines an old model, but I paid around £300 for it and was sure it would change my life.

Thank you @Johaanah I am successfully completely turned away from one!

I’ll save you the expense - I’ve just bought them and, although they go on easily, they literally rub off in water! I used two layers of top coat and it still made no difference. They’re like the kids nail varnish that peels off after a couple of hours.

I am considering buying one of these using a £20 coupon Celtic & co have sent me for any full priced item - what do you think please?

This in teal https://www.celticandco.com/product/linen-blend-long-sleeve-t-shirt

This in undyed ecru
https://www.celticandco.com/product/linen-cotton-v-neck-t-shirt

£20 is generous but these still seem expensive to me.

It’s just a tshirt and not a particularly impressive one either. I got something much nicer in linen/cotton in M&S last year.

ETA Your voucher won’t work anyway because it’s no longer full price.

Linen tops always seem to lose their shape and get short and square or wonky! You don't have to spend the voucher! Also it's actually only £15 off as you have to spend £5 postage.

Lovely colour but I just look at it and think ‘HOW much?’ For a bit of cotton mix it’s very expensive. No idea what their quality is like but I would balk at the price for what it is.

These are hopeless unless you have a lot of hair, and probably ideally wavy or curly hair.
I have fine straight hair and they just won’t stay in.

Help me not to buy a Stackers jewellery box! They're not cheap for what is in effect a box.

I have one and while it is quite nice initially,.I'm sorry to say the quality is not great, the leather on box edges has totally worn off. If you want something that you use often but that looks pretty on your dressing table then this box unfortunately will be tatty and worn out looking in I time.

I haven’t found the leather has worn away at all, but I do only ever use the top layer of mine. The three other stacking layers might as well be in a shoebox in the bottom drawer. Anything I actually wear is in the top one where I can lift the lid up to get them.