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.

found a code for even more discount. Now it’s too cheap not to buy! (Reader, she bought it)

@ThingsBeingVarious , they're a very simple design and it's a lot of money.

The sweatshirt looks like something from the middle of Lidl.

Cromer Pants - Navy - Plümo Ltd

the link for the trousers doesn't work!

the merino jumper just looks like an ill-fitting cheap sweatshirt to me. What's the attraction?

If you have been watching the trousers for months, what has put you off ordering them before? 15% off isn't a huge discount either. The link didn't work so I haven't seen them yet or know how much they cost.

Eta Plumo trousers
Just googled them and they aren't my cup of tea! Also you can't return them so what happens if you don't like them? You can only exchange/get credit.

I googled and found the trousers - still can't get a link to work, though.

The Plumo trousers look like they're accidentally too short on the model rather than a purposeful length. The modern style seems to be to wear your trousers quite long so the effect is rather odd. The drawstring waist isn't nice either and you couldn't wear a belt with them - the overall effect could therefore look quite sloppy.

Plus it says this "Purchases with the 15% discount are final and eligible for exchanges or credit notes only" which makes it look like they're desperate to flog things off they suspect people will want to return. Not acceptable at that price.

The trousers

Oh well, we can't win them all. Enjoy your new coat, @Lovemycat2023 !

@canyon2000 Originally £215, sale price £149, now 15% extra off and free postage. I buy a couple of things from Plumo each year and always absolutely love them and wear them to death so not worried about returns. It's purely price putting me off, if they were under £100 I'd have bought already.

@StylishAndBeautiful deceptively simple though? Plumo's tailoring is always awesome and far better than any copies I attempt.

I won't buy the sweatshirt, thanks everyone, definitely too much of a risk for that price. But I do want a wool sweatshirt one day!

https://www.modainpelle.com/shoes-c1/brogues-and-loafers-c96/sh-ivy-tan-leather-p16484/s93024?utm_medium=organic&utm_term=shoon-sh-ivy-tan-leather-39-size-uk-6-eu-39-size-uk-6-eu-39-5063333202652&utm_campaign=froogle&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&clickref=1011lC3ezfCP&utm_source=VisualsoftAffiliates&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=genieshopping

ill come out of the gates and say I think these are pretty frumpy and drab BUT I can see them working underneath VERY long trousers for work?

@TheChosenTwo oh lordy they'd look wonderful with the trousers I'm trying not to buy.

@ThingsBeingVarious , I like Plumo too but can't justify the prices right now.

random bag link for no reason

Those trousers are giving me Monty Don vibes. Probably an excellent choice for weeding the veg patch.

Please help - I want the Spanx air essentials half zip top and wide leg trousers in truffle brown. Oprah says these tracksuits are incredibly comfortable. I want one to wear running errands around town and while travelling on a plane. £250 total for the set. I know it's wrong...but I want them!

https://spanx.com/en-gb/products/spanx-airessentials-half-zip?collection_cursor=eyJvZmZzZXQiOjE2fQ%3D%3D&collection_direction=next&Color=Truffle+Brown&bau-context=standard&v=48683565154515

https://spanx.com/en-gb/products/spanx-airessentials-wide-leg-pant

Oprah is paid to say that, and is very very rich anyway. It just looks like a bog standard tracksuit, at a ridiculous price.

@TheChosenTwo they look like school shoes

Moda in Pelle gets pretty poor reviews for customer service and the quality of the products @TheChosenTwo https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.modainpelle.com

just found this excellent thread - I am a compulsive shopper (usually thrifter) and have a habit of becoming a bit obsessed with certain items - my algorithm loves to taunt me with them repeatedly and these are the current lures (I’m obsessed):

https://www.aspiga.com/products/velvet-quilted-jacket-red

https://www.troylondon.com/products/troy-x-callie-coles-gaucho-trousers-in-honey-corduroy?_pos=2&_sid=137bf12f2&_ss=r

i definitely won’t be getting the trousers as I can’t afford them but I am very very tempted by the jacket. Not sure when I morphed into a country Sloane Ranger - I used to be quite cool. I’m 47 size 10 for reference and have a few quilted jackets already.

@MorphingintoMargo oh no but Monty Don is a style icon, I believe there was a thread dedicated to his look! I'm seeing them as my Casey Jones look, and taking lots of train journeys around Britain while wearing them (with a fine wool sweatshirt).

The jacket looks like something Princess Charlotte would wear.

Excellent start. Keep going!

@anonymous0810 , I like the trousers but the jacket is a bit like a posh bed jacket.

Thanks for the new thread. I loved the previous one and I think it's an inspired notion for a thread.

Thinking about the discussion about age and wisdom vs ageism, to my mind this thread is like my mum or best friend at her best. To the poster upthread wanting a new coat, my mum and BF would say do you already have a coat? Doesn't matter that it's reduced, how is this cost suddenly going to fulfill all your dreams? But I'm being hypocritical here, as this thread did not exist last year when I bought all the coats. On another note, whenever I'm trying to rein in my shopping habit my go to phrase is to remind myself that I do not need to own all the pretty things. It may be pretty, it may be a good price, but is it suddenly going to pull my wardrobe together? Unlikely.

I have this bag and though I love how it looks, It's also quite heavy and the strap pulls my neck

Right, so not a great design?