As the festive season winds down and the post-Christmas sales beckon, many Brits find themselves with a bit of extra cash to spend. But before you embark on a shopping spree, be warned: several once-coveted status symbols have now fallen firmly out of fashion. From flashy car registrations to absurdly high-tech kitchen gadgets, here are the spending habits you should leave behind in 2025.
The Decline of the Personalised Statement
Once the height of automotive chic, the personalised number plate has lost its lustre. The dream of cruising in a Fiat 500 with 'S0PH1E' on the front now feels distinctly outdated. While data from the DVLA shows the market is booming—with over 1.2 million transactions in 2024, more than double the 500,000 recorded a decade ago—this saturation is precisely the problem.
"They just feel so flashy, and everyone has them," says 26-year-old talent manager Blaise Kelly. The quest for individuality has been undermined by its own popularity, making plates seem more ostentatious than exclusive. Asset Manager Sophie Alcock, also 26, offers a blunter assessment: "I personally see a personalised number plate and immediately think 'that person’s a wanker'."
This trend extends beyond the car park. The allure of having your name plastered on every water bottle, notebook, and tote bag has also evaporated. What was once a fun novelty now risks looking naff, with consumers questioning the need for constant self-identification. Furthermore, the environmental impact is becoming hard to ignore, with landfills predicted to be filled with discarded personalised items in the coming years.
Pointless Luxury and Over-Engineered Homes
In the realm of home interiors, practicality is staging a comeback. The era of the statement sink, epitomised by Kim Kardashian's infamous basin-less design valued at around £19,000, is over. The consensus for 2026 is that a bathroom fitting need not be a theatrical centrepiece. As one Kardashian sister famously told another, "People are dying, Kim"—a sentiment that resonates in today's economically unequal climate.
Similarly, the hot tub has cooled off as a desirable purchase. Once a symbol of backyard luxury, it is now viewed as a high-maintenance, germ-prone liability with little practical reward. The brief frenzy for inflatable models has passed, with the accessory now compared to a "toxic boyfriend" due to its costly upkeep.
The 'Smart' Home Misfire
Technology that solves non-existent problems is also facing a backlash. Voice-activated lights, automated salt shakers, and WiFi-enabled kettles are increasingly seen as embarrassing and unnecessary. "Anything too automated is embarrassing," confirms 26-year-old Josie de Kock, who owns—and feels self-conscious about—a set of automatic blinds.
The criticism centres on these gadgets being over-engineered displays of wealth rather than genuine innovations. Adarsh, 27, summarises the mood: "'Smart tech' with touchscreens like kettles, toasters, fridges, all feel quite cringe to be honest." For the average person without mobility issues, a simple dial or button remains far more efficient than a finicky app connection.
The message for 2026 is clear: conscious consumption is in, while empty, showy extravagance is out. It's time to rethink what truly adds value to our lives, before splashing out on that personalised, voice-activated hot tub accessory.
