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.

Can I wear brown shoes with navy trews? Isn’t there a thing about that combination? I can’t remember what it was but I feel it may signify….something

Is it the "No Brown In Town" rule ?

Please help!

I made a mistake and posted here on another thread (about tights) and now I feel like I want to try Snag tights as everyone and their dog have been singing praise about them. I visited the website and they have some tights that I liked on sale.

I definitely don’t need more tights, any random tights from a supermarket fit me just fine, and I still have and wear tights that I bought over a decade ago, so there’s no rational reason to buy more tights.

I am still curious and want to try them.

The easiest way to de-influence yourself from Snag is to look at their 'sexy times' pages and scroll through the submitted photos.

If standard tights fit you fine, then why pay a premium?

TBH @CortieTat this is a challenge! Snags are my preferred tights!

BUT, you don’t need them. It will soon not be tights-essential weather and you have enough to get through late winter/spring till it’s warm enough to go bare-legged.

If you still want them in Autumn get them then.

I have some I bought in winter which are unopened and unworn. I wish I wasn’t stockpiling!

@CortieTat , I looked at their site and most of the models seem to be morbidly obese.

Snags are indeed excellent. But only if you actively need tights.

Unlike a lot of the things we have craved in this thread, Snag tights will still be there (I expect!) next winter, when you might actually need them.

I don't like Snag tights that much. I bought some warm wool ones last year and they ended up with holes fairly quickly. I messaged because one pair was something like £20 and they got a toe hole the second time I wore them, and they said maybe my toenails were too long 🤷‍♀️.
I think if you need particularly small or big sizes they fill a gap in the market, but I found they were just very expensive and not actually that great quality.
Plus winter is over. It is, it is (she says, expectantly).

@Rosti1981 that’s an excellent point. I bought wool tights from Lindex last year and they also got toe holes, after one wear. This really puts me off.

It’s still winter weather where I live, I’m looking at a frozen lake right now.

Yes, that’s the first impression. I assumed that they only had larger sizes initially. But they do have a big selection of all sizes, including xs on sale.

@CortieTat , I don't want to trawl through a site that looks like that. I'm happy with tights bought in shops.

I don’t feel that body-shaming and ‘OMG they make clothes for fat people, who wants to see that’ is in the spirit of the deinfluencing we’ve had so far.

Play the game not the (wo)man, and all that.

Hear, hear. Totally unnecessary.

@TragicMuse , @BIossomtoes , I'm not fat-shaming anyone.

Sexy Vibes – Snag does not appeal to me and the models look like they are not of a healthy weight.

I would disagree.

1. You say you aren’t shaming and in the very next paragraph are doing the faux concern about their weight. Which, to be clear, sounds judgey and shaming.

1. The sexy vibes range is not the normal tights offering. It’s one of the collections and it’s not even listed in the Collections navigation.

Fair enough if that particular range is not your style but that’s all you needed to say.

@TragicMuse , I don't wish to use sites that normalises morbid obesity. That is not fat-shaming.

You may not intend to but that’s exactly how your posts read. Including the one I quoted.

@BIossomtoes , I'm not fat shaming anyone. I don't understand why you take offence when none is meant.

I wouldn't want to order from a site where many of the models were obviously medically underweight either.

None of your preferences relate to the clothes. You might as well say you don’t want to buy from businesses that use blonde models, or people over 5’7”.

it says nothing helpful about the product.

Neither does your post.

Back to actual tights.

@CortieTat if there’s a patterned pair you really like then they are usually limited ranges that don’t get repeated. But if you’re talking normal colours then they should be available later in the year so you’d be safe to hold on till you need new tights. Core colours such as black are usually available year-round.

That’s “I’m sorry you feel like that”, isn’t it? Intent has nothing to do with it. I’m not offended, I’m appalled that you would say these things and then deny that’s what you’ve done because apparently you didn’t mean it.

Well, to be fair, untrimmed toenails will make a hole in your tights! Not that I'm suggesting that was the reason in your case of course - I'm sure your toes are perfectly pedicured at all times ...

I've not tried Snag. I used to default to M&S, then upgraded to their Autograph range (which are decent). However, about THIRTY-FIVE years ago, & in my first job, I spent what was a small fortune then on a pair of wool crochet tights by Wolford. I wore them loads. I still have them & they're perfect!

It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I decided to try their opaques. They are life-changing. I honestly don't know how they do it, but I've had pairs for a couple of decades now that look almost the same. Falke are also excellent.

They are ridiculously expensive - but I've picked up pairs in TK Maxx & on eBay. It's also become a bit of a family habit for my mum to buy my sister & me a new pair for Christmas every year! In terms of cost per wear, they've honestly cost me pennies.

(I have lost one pair - but only through my kitten getting startled & sinking her claws into my leg!!)

@BIossomtoes , That’s “I’m sorry you feel like that”, isn’t it? No. I don't care if you feel like that.
We seem to have a difference of opinion on what fat shaming means.

fat-shaming
the act of criticizing or drawing attention to someone for being fat, making them feel embarrassed or ashamed

I've been underweight (naturally, not through diet or eating disorder) until my 30s. I was very self-conscious about it. With time, menopause, & greed (!), I'm now much bigger - I suppose I'm quite fat these days! Probably kidding myself I'm a 16 right now, & am at a borderline unhealthy size, says my GP (though not immediately apparent as I'm tall). But I'm actually much more comfortable in my skin now than in my insecure skinny days.

I would prefer that either clinically very underweight or very overweight models were not used either. I don't think that's either fat- or thin-shaming - it just becomes a little bit concerning regarding either extreme, with the associated health concerns. And I don't think that's "faux" concern?

I don't like the Sexy Vibes section on the Snag website either, having just looked at it. But that's because it's awash with nylon, polyester, pleather etc, not what size or shape the models are.

I dislike it for the same reason that I dislike Ann Summers underwear - I'd rather see cotton, silk, good-quality lace etc used. But that's just my personal aesthetic preference.

I'm glad that women of all shapes and sizes can find clothes that suit them, fit them well, and make them feel good about themselves and their bodies. I did buy some snag tights a few years ago though and really disliked them. They sagged very badly at the ankles which has never been a problem for me with other rights and the quality didn't seem better than what you'd find at Primark.