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.

Thank you all, you have de-influenced me successfully. I definitely don’t need more tights of unknown quality and even though the ones I wanted were from the sale section I would still spend money on things I didn’t need.

Do I want cargo pants? I’m 61 FFS. Not a fashionista but enjoying exploring fashion and style after weightloss. And they’re reminding me of the 90s and the fun I had in my younger days. I keep going back to look at them.

Help me not buy cargo pants! Please!

Will you look like one of All Saints in them?

My tall slim pretty NDN looked great in them in the 1990s. I did not.

Do you want to look like a contractor heading out to the job site?

Someone deinfluence me from Disneyland in Paris now the frozen world has opened
i have a 3 year old daughter everyone and their family seems to be going

Thanks to @StylishAndBeautiful and @outerspacepotato I am marking myself safe from Combats.

I am, of course, entirely ravishing, but I don’t want to look like an All Saint or a contractor…

Some drapey trousers may feature in my wardrobe at a later date, but not combats!

I'd be quite happy to look like one of All Saints in the 1990s, but I'd probably get comments about which building sites I worked on. (shades of Suzi Quatro's fat nan spring to mind)

I remember a pair of carpenter trousers that seemed to fascinate men and not i a good way. Who'd have thought that a hammer loop and a ruler pocket could be worthy of investigating.

We called combat trousers Wombat trousers.

I hate dungarees (& duffel coats) on adult women - shades of the kindergarten.

But a friend of mine swore that she had the most interest from men EVER when her favourite summer outfit was a pair of dungarees - worn with nothing (or perhaps just a vest top) underneath!

Mind you, I think it was also the tan, athletic body + boobs, great smile, long dark lustrous hair & eyebrows - & armpit hair!!

Well, at 3, your little one will be too small to enjoy most of it and to young remember much in later years. You’ll not able to take advantage of much.

I’d say wait till she’s bigger and can enjoy it more, and will be able to remember it.

I need de-influencing, as I just love this set. But - I have too many clothes.
I don't want long trousers or the short sleeve top, I really like the exact combo. But if it's warm enough to wear shorts, it's also too warm for long sleeves. Right?
https://store.betterme.world/fr/products/half-zip-long-sleeve-sweatshirt-sage-green?variant=54541876691329

@KatharinaRosalie , it probably won't look like that on you.

Yes that was a good argument a year ago, I didn't buy many things because I told myself that I will just look like a barrel in a frock. But I lost a lot of weight last year so unfortunately it may actually look the same.
Anything else, my credit card is burning but I don't need it!

It looks a bit Littlewoods circa 1984.

Metal zips on tops that won’t be worn with something underneath are really scratchy AND cold on the skin. I had a jumper like that, loved it. But it was so scratchy and chilly, it drove me nuts.

And you’re right, why long sleeves with shorts. That’s going to wrong for the temperature setting!

Long sleeve and shorts are a fantasy coastal outfit for hot weather with a breeze. You are not an American who lives in the Hamptons (or are you?) Also that sage colour would make me think you got it from Primark.

I am not. I do live in France, so hot weather will happen.
But would I wear a long sleeve hoodie when hot? No. If it's chilly enough for hoodie, will I wear shorts? Also no. My rational brain understands I should not buy the set but the other part goes WANTS!!!

I wear shorts all year round.

It's 16% polyester and 6% elastane. That's going to be hot in warm weather.

What element is making you want? Colour? Style?

If you can puzzle it out you might be able to pin down something more suitable for your life/environment/temperature…

good advice @TragicMuse
It's the combination, I love sage green as colour. But also the combo - saw someone wearing a similar shorts and hoodie set the other day. She looked so comfortable, but at the same time more interesting than your regular tracksuit set, which still has a bit of Vicky Pollard vibe for me. And I like the half-zip.

Short sleeve would be more practical, but I don't like the sleeveless option that comes with this particular set - armholes look too big, would have my bra on the show.

So did a bit of digging and got this one from DHGate: fraction of the price, similar colour, short sleeve but not sleeveless. Let's see what's it like.

strange collar/hood and primark vibes.

I've been wanting the current version of the brown t-bar Mary Janes from Doc Marten (sorry I never learned how to do links). I've seen then out in the wild on two people now. I would love it if someone could turn me off them!

For me, they look a bit…surgical. I don’t like the thick sole with a lower-profile shoe - I suppose it works with boots but not with shoes. I really don’t like the way the front of the shoe tips up, I’m not keen on that for any style but definitely not here. They always look like one is rocking back on the heels. The brown is a wrong shade. Not brown enough to be brown - too dark.

I’ve never got on with docs anyway - there’s something that squashes my little toe - and I think the quality is not what it was. Which compared to the price pisses me off. It’s all name and nothing to back it up.

There are nicer Mary-Janes out there at a better price and quality and which aren’t banking on the name.

It’s all name and nothing to back it up. I agree.
Dr Martens Bethan quad mary jane shoes in brown | ASOS? Start-Rite vibes.

Gaucho Crazy Horse Mary Jane Shoe | Solovair | Handmade in England – NPS Solovair UK?