5 Mistakes I Made Buying female beanies (So You Don't Have To)

I get it. We all want a good deal. We see a cool piece of jewelry, or a stylish accessory like a new set of female beanies, and we want to pay the lowest price possible.

I tried this when buying a specific item: the Vintage Pirate Anchor Quartz Pocket Watch with Chain Necklace. It looked awesome in the pictures. It looked heavy and durable. The price was unbelievably low.

That low price was a huge warning sign that I totally ignored. I made five giant mistakes. Learn from my errors so your new pocket watch chain or necklace doesn't fall apart faster than you can say "pirate anchor."

Mistake #1: Going for the Cheapest Option

I saw the watch listed for less than the cost of a fancy lunch. I thought I was winning. Big mistake. When jewelry is super cheap, they cut corners on the most important step: plating.

The thin plating meant the "vintage gold" color started rubbing off almost immediately. Within three days, areas of the chain and the anchor itself were showing a dull, coppery base metal underneath. It looked fake and cheap almost instantly.

I wasted my money trying to save money.

Verdict: Super cheap = thin plating = fades in 1 week. If the price feels too good to be true for something with a chain, it is. Spend $10 more for real thickness.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Material Quality

I didn't check what the watch casing or the chain was made from. The listing just said "durable alloy." What is durable alloy? It’s usually just a mix of low-grade metals that can break easily or even turn your skin green.

The biggest quality difference in jewelry is usually the steel. You need to look for 316L Stainless Steel. This metal is strong, resists rust, and is usually safe for sensitive skin. My chain was definitely not 316L. The clasp broke when I tried to clip it onto my vest.

Verdict: Do not buy jewelry if the material is a mystery. If it doesn't say "316L Stainless Steel" clearly, assume it's low quality junk that will break or fade fast.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Reviews

I only read the big, bold 5-star reviews. They usually say vague things like "love it!" and "looks great." I ignored the 1-star warnings.

If I had actually checked the low-rating reviews, I would have seen real photos from buyers. I would have seen that the quartz watch itself was often inserted crookedly into the casing. I would have seen complaints about the chain links being weak.

This is like buying that amazing set of colorful female beanies without checking if the dye runs when you wash them. Don't make my error.

Verdict: Always check the bad reviews first. Look for detailed complaints and buyer photos that show defects the professional photographer hid.

Mistake #4: Falling for the Ads

The advertisement showed a rugged man wearing a thick, heavy chain. The pocket watch looked huge and substantial. I thought I was buying a beefy piece.

When the package arrived, the watch was smaller than a fifty-cent piece, and the chain was so skinny it looked like string. The thickness—or lack thereof—made the whole piece look delicate and cheap instead of vintage and rugged.

The camera always adds twenty pounds, but it also adds 5 millimeters of width to a chain in an ad.

Action Step: Do not trust the lifestyle photo. Look for the millimeter (mm) width listed in the product description. If the width of the chain is less than 4mm, it will look thin.

Mistake #5: Skipping Measurements

I assumed a pocket watch chain would be the right length to clip onto my belt loop and drop into my pocket. Wrong. The chain was too short. It sat too high on my chest to look right when I wore it as a necklace, and it was too short to use properly as a pocket watch chain.

Jewelry length matters hugely. You need to know exactly how long a necklace needs to be to hang correctly. Before you look at anything in the jewelry category, grab a tape measure and check where your ideal length falls.

I learned this lesson hard. Whether you are buying a chain or trying to figure out the right slouch level on chunky female beanies, skipping the numbers is always a mistake.

Action Step: Measure the desired length in inches or centimeters before you buy. Don't guess.

What I Should Have Done: Chosen Quality and Service

I should have paid attention to what real quality looks like. I should have looked for companies that guarantee their product and treat customers right. That's where you find the good stuff.

When you buy quality, you get real peace of mind. Check out this kind of feedback:

• "Both chains are AMAZING!!! Great quality, and the fact that you can pay and wear the merchandise is awesome! I like to be ICED OUT! Definitely check them out. You will not be sorry!"
• "Lucy es muy profesional toda la información necesaria muy clara muy eficiente ella tiene un customer service super excelente y conoce la información que te está brindando para que el customer salga satisfecho ojalá otras empresas tuvieran más persona como Lucy..." (Translation: Lucy is very professional, clear, and efficient. Her customer service is super excellent, and she knows the information she is giving you so the customer leaves satisfied.)

See the difference? When a company takes pride in their product, the quality is great, and they make sure you are happy. They offer knowledge and they treat you like a valuable customer.

Verdict: Look for a reputable seller who offers clear quality details and excellent customer service. Quality matters more than the cheap price tag.

Lessons Learned: Your Action Checklist

Don't fall for the cheap trap like I did. Follow these simple steps every time you shop for chains, pendants, or watches:

1. Check Material First: Look for 316L Stainless Steel. If it doesn't say that, skip it.
2. Check Size: Look for the mm width (4mm or higher for chains) and the length (in inches/cm).
3. Check Photos: Look at buyer reviews and their photos. Look specifically at the 1-star reviews.
4. Check Seller: Does the company offer amazing, knowledgeable customer service? If yes, you can trust their quality.

Follow this checklist, and you won't end up with a fading, broken watch chain like mine.