Kmart Clothing Haul

For the first time in about 10 years I went to Kmart St Lukes to hunt for clothes after seeing Rachel’s Aussie Curves: $50 Outfit post. Looking back at her post now, I see that I’ve bought some of the things she had tried on and I really liked, without even realising!

NOW Soft Peplum Top in New Melon $12 (size 20)

As you saw in my Aussie Curves: Peplum post, I tried on a few colours before settling on this one. I kind of tried it on at a whim, because this is not from the plus size range and is a couple of sizes smaller than what I usually wear. I love the colour and the fabric, but would love it more if it were longer.

Alexia Stripe Maxi Skirt in black and cream $19 (size 24)

I love this skirt long and worn high waisted – I’m all about the versatility! This is a plus size 24 and is the perfect length for me. I can see me wearing this a lot over summer, because I really like the fabric and the stripe pattern.

Action Back Singlet in Neon Pink $5 (size 20-22)
Alpha Male Check Flannelette Pyjama Pants $6 (men’s 6XL)

This was specifically in the sleepwear section, which is why I chose it – I really wanted a singlet to sleep in that I wasn’t likely to wear as daywear! Now, I have to admit to not trying the singlet on when I was in store. I held it up against me and it kind of looked like it would contain my boobs so I figured it would be a good fit.  Hmm, not so much.  I actually wish I’d sized down, because it’s really loose and when I’m not wearing a bra (i.e. when I’m sleeping) my boobs try to escape out of the extremely low cut arm holes. I know that’s not really a picture you wanted, but there you go. Lesson learned: always try everything on. The material is super thin, so amazing for sleeping in over summer. I might go back and get a couple more in a smaller size.

I infinitely prefer men’s pyjamas to women’s – they have cooler patterns (tartan is way cooler than cutesy animal prints), they’re nice and long, flannelette pyjamas are plentiful (you’re warm and your butt is fuzzy, what’s not to love about these?) and plus size pyjama pants for women seem to be a rarity – not sure if this is because all the other plus size ladies buy them up before me or because retailers genuinely think that everyone over a size 20 should be in a shapeless nana nightie/hideously sloganed “sleep shirt”. The pair I tried on in store were smaller than this but they were kind of short in the leg so I decided to size up. So glad I did – these are comfy as all heck!

Alpha Male Stripe Flannelette Pyjama Pants $6 (men’s 7XL)

I really wanted striped pyjamas, but there were none in my size. I figured I’d just get the 7XL (which was the next size available, even though it’s 2 sizes too big), and maybe hem them? Thank goodness for drawstrings, huh? I’m glad I got them though, because they’re exactly what I wanted.  Must be time for a pyjama party or something!

My verdict…

I was very impressed by the prices at Kmart – finding basics in plus sizes isn’t usually a cheap exercise, but I found this pretty kind on my wallet!

I found the sizes really confusing – I fit the straight size 20 peplum but a tank was way too small, and another straight size 20-22 tank was way too big.

I was quite disappointed in the selection – the women’s clothing section at the Kmart I went to is huge. It takes up about a sixth of the shop, yet the women’s plus size clothing was limited to three racks. While all of the straight size options were beautifully colourful and on trend, the plus size options were … not just limited in colour, but dated and really unflattering. While I really like some of the stuff that Kmart stocks (and am lucky that I can fit some of their straight size clothes), I think that they really need to up their game in the plus size department!

This is my first haul post, and I wrote it because I thought you might be interested in seeing how things fit and how much they were (and where you can get them from) – what do you think? Is this something you’re interested in seeing more of?