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.

Yeah, that's not worth it.

no

often they are so thin that you can see what colour pants the woman in front of you is wearing. If you really really really really can't resist, wait till the sales - they are always having sales

you need help NOT to buy this?? gosh

Well this is why this thread is so good - I think I’ve lost all perspective because I’ve been looking at it so much. Needed a fresh pair or two of critical eyes.

i live semi-rurally, have loads of quilted jackets that barely get an outing already so no idea when I would wear it. School run in spring? Sounds ever more stupid the more I write it down.

Please tell me that I don’t want or need this faux leather jacket. The style is absolutely me. It’s too expensive for faux leather, and I’ve got at least 15 jackets already. But this is not enough to put me off.

Imagine the faff of doing up (and undoing) all those fiddly buttons.

Ah, yes, thank you. But unfortunately I love a fiddle! It’s a ND thing I think..

Anything else?!

Fake leather doesn't breathe. You're going to be so sweaty under that jacket and you and anything you wear under it are going to end up a smelly, sticky mess.

Faux leather is plastic. It doesn’t last, it’s terrible for the environment. Vintage leather on the other hand is lovely, soft and looks better with age. You’d get some beautiful second hand leather for that price.

Are you auditioning to be an extra in a provincial amateur dramatic performance of Oliver Twist?

I was just going to say that. It would take forever to do them up and undo them again. And the whole point of it’s lost if it’s undone.

Lovely coat, get yourself off to the charity shops around Perth and I’m sure you can pick up similar. Even if you have to take it to a tailor to refit you will be quids in.

Yes, that's a good point.

@ThingsBeingVarious the trousers look like some I wore once. I styled them with boots and a gold top. First thing my DH said was f* it's Captain Kirk. Don't do it

Worst purchase ever - very heavy and don’t give that glossy straightened look or feel, massive waste of money, I abandoned mine and now use a basic GHD gold straightener, much better results.

Also I have the Dyson air wrap and hairdryer and I love both of them, so I am generally a fan.

Brilliant, thanks vipers. That’s done it. It’s the plastic thing - an excellent point.

I'd wondered about trying them too but the reviews look deeply suspicious - those with photos are clearly images of professional hand models.

I did a bit of Googling and found lots of people who have bought them saying the delivery system is a great idea but the actual polishes are poor, didn't last, chipped almost instantly, looked like coloured correction fluid! That's been enough to put me off the brand.

I do wonder if the idea of polishing pens might take off though, and other more established brands might enter that market with better quality polish, which would be something to consider in future.

There’s your answer in itself. Wait until you can try it on in store - you might even have gone off it by then.

I like it, but it would probably look best on someone without much of a bum. It could also veer into cos-play a bit too easily.

Entirely agree with @Johaanah I have multiple Dyson products inc the Supersonic, pleased with them all, bought this when it was on a good promotion in the Dyson store on Oxford St and it was useless. Even when used correctly and with good haircare products it made my hair look simultaneously messy/frizzy and limp. Quite the achievement. I exercised my refund guarantee and returned it.

Debating the AirWrap but this probably isn't the thread for my deliberations on that 😀

Have you seen it in real life? Most things from Marks look better in the pictures - and imo this jacket looks awful in the pictures too. Fake leather is sweaty and it cracks.

Also, unless you’re waif like with delicate features, it’s unlikely to give that sweetly gothic/steam punk vibe that the jacket is trying to channel.

Save your money and save up for a proper leather jacket from All Saints.

All very good points. I’m not waif like although I am slim. And I have 2 similar style jackets in lovely velvety needlecord (vintage Laura Ashley). And I already have an All Saints jacket.

I really don’t know what I was thinking 😂

Emergency, emergency! Can anyone please help me step away from this coat?

I've bought two rain jackets already this winter but think this might just be 'the one'...

fleece lined parka

Thanks for successfully talking me out of the Spanx Air Essentials ridiculously overpriced tracksuit. It was the fact Oprah is paid to say it's good (why do I forget these things???) coupled with the lack of pockets that did it.

With an All Saints jacket in your possession, you need never consider a plastic jacket again. 😀

Fleece-lined sounds comfy but it's not going to trap warmth the way it would if it were down-filled. The coat is shapeless and would swamp most people.

I suspect you're longing for the lifestyle the coat represents rather than the coat itself - especially if like me you're stuck indoors on a gray February day when you'd rather be having fun at the beach or something. But you don't need expensive overpriced clothes like this to have that life. My most outdoorsy friend has a very basic second hand wardrobe (she retired early to get that freedom and is poor but happy!).