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!
I will save my money instead.

Good decision.

@Amiacoolorwarmcolour , weird low neckline and made of 100% acrylic - you wouldn't want to wear it in summer.

A flash in the pan in terms of styling. Will feel uncomfortably out of date by next season as it’s too ‘on trend’ right now.

Plus if you have to buy something else to style it with, it’s not going to be a versatile piece.

And as you said you don’t need any more jackets.

See. Lots of reasons.

Arnold Shwarzenegger would look good in it. Women - not so much.

I agree, too much “on trend” @Whowhatwerewolf; it’s actually quite sad because it’s made of an animal and it will be out of fashion quickly.

Reminds me of the 1980s sweaters with giant, helicopter landing pad-shoulders. 1980s style comes back from time to time but the more fashion statement pieces have not returned.

I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why I didn’t love the leather jacket.

I’ve just realised.

One word.

Lovejoy.

I have just googled Lovejoy and I can see it, @TragicMuse That helps, thank you.

I do agree that the jacket is very on-trend But how are we supposed to know whether a trend is going to stick around or be a flash in the pan? I've been ridiculously late to so many trends thinking they would pass. I actually almost missed skinny jeans if you can believe it.

Another problem with the jacket - it's so cool and the rest of my clothes are more classic so I probably would have to buy a whole new wardrobe around it. I definitely won't get it. Thanks, all.

A big part of the oversized + cropped + structured (aka boxy) trend is cost-cutting. The construction is heavily simplified, lots of straight lines so you don’t need a skilled worker to do elaborate darts and round seams so it goes faster and people can be paid less for the same or higher output. Then there’s online shopping - even if you put exact measurements of every single garment online, many people don’t know how to measure themselves or are in denial about their size. There are also so many different figures in real life and an oversized cropped garment fits most, so there will be fewer returns.

So I think at least some part of this trend is going to stay, but the more extreme examples won’t.

the jacket - it's so cool Did you provide the right link?
The Reiss jacket looks like those horrible tan leather sofas people had a few decades ago.

Omg @CortieTat you're so right and I can't believe I didn't think of that. I'm usually quite suspicious of the fashion industry and why certain things are chosen to be "in" but they managed to sneak that past me somehow. I'm not sure whether I like the style or not. On the one hand I do agree that we shouldn't feel the need to wear things that show off our shapes and "flatter" our bodies but at the same time wearing something that suits our body types is so ingrained. I'm a fairly small person and feel really swamped in most oversized things.

Haha yes I"m now picturing an old couch from a 70s swinger's house @StylishAndBeautiful that has helped massively.

Haha yes I"m now picturing an old couch from a 70s swinger's house Weren't they vinyl?
The one I'm thinking of was circa 2010. It was in a friend's house.
She and her partner usually had good taste, especially him, so maybe that house was rented fully furnished.

I agree with @CortieTat about the boxy shapes. A lot of fast fashion only looks ok on those who look good anyway.

Reiss clothes are usually cut in a flattering manner IMO. I don't mean flattering in the 'wear a wrap dress to hide your mum tum' sort of way.

help, Jaki has brought out their draped sweater in my best colour and I want it. I already have the same in another colour and I wear it all the time, love it, super flattering. But - I already have an asymmetric dusty blue sweater from Reiss that is similar (but not as nice). And it's expensive.
jaki.co.uk/products/asymmetric-draped-dusty-blue-seamless-knit

Women's Light peach pink/Floral Flared viscose-blend skirt | H&M GB

I bought this - I have a chocolate brown cami top (M&S) and some orange satin pumps (also M&S) so wanted something to pull them together
Cruise Ship Chic - pattern with colours and a plain to pick out a colour .
Don;t need convincing ,

Damn you! I wish I hadn’t seen that. I really, really want it. No help whatsoever I’m afraid.

I like that jumper too. It’s exactly like a phase 8 wool and silk one I can’t bear to part with even though it’s many years old. Sorry.

Doesn't the extra fabric in that jumper get in the way? I think I'd be dipping the sleeves in my spag bol. Is it too warm to wear in spring and summer? The warmer weather is just about here so you might end up buying it and packing it away almost immediately.

However if you already have one and love the new colour it's not going to be easy to de-influence you. Could you sell your Reiss one on Vinted? Could you wait until it goes on sale to buy?

Not helpful 😩

The end of sleeves is narrow so no, the extra fabric does not get in the way. And yes, it's super flattering cut and lovely material as well.
I would want to wait for sale or indeed autumn, but they do tend to sell out in more interesting colours.

It's not really a jumper though is it - it's a straitjacket ...

Sorry. The problem is I kind of want one too but in a different colour. Just as an aside....what's the sizing like? Would a size 10 be a small?

A couple of things that have put me off though.. when I went to sign up for the newsletter it said I had to consent to be contacted by AI which seemed odd. Also it asks if I want premium protection for an added fee if my parcel is lost, damaged etc in transit. That's just not on. If something happens to my parcel in transit they should take responsibility without me having to pay extra!

The CF AI straitjacket jumper.

But it’s free shipping so I wouldn’t balk at an extra £2.25.

@Whowhatwerewolf haven't tried the AI but I assume it's a chatbot or similar, like in many other places?
the sweater is quite roomy and draped, you could get either S if you like the more oversized look, or I think XS would work as well, if you want it a bit less drapey. I don't take the insurance, yes I also expect the company to deal with lost items.
Sorry for ruining the deinfluencing now!

To me it's the principle of the thing - I think it's dishonest to imply I need to take out insurance for something that's their responsibility. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the retailer is responsible for the condition of the goods until they are delivered to you. If the parcel is lost, they must either send a replacement or offer a refund.

And pretty much anywhere offers free shipping when you're spending that much.

To add insult to injury - WTF is signature viscose blend? I thought they were obliged to disclose composition of the garment, at least if selling to the EU (and I am in the EU and the page is displayed in my currency, so targeting the Swedish market).

Compared to this website Shein seems to be the consumer rights hero… a bit too low bar to give them money.