This is a sponsored post from Kmart
If you’ve recently won the Lotto or if you’re Gina Rinehart, then you should probably stop reading this now. You see, this post will be of no use to you. Sorry.
You see, today we’re talking trends and how to stay on them (or in them?) when you don’t have a fortune to spend. So if you aren’t interested in looking awesome and saving lots of money then it’s time for you to move along.
We know that it can be pretty hard to keep yourself and your house looking up-to-date without accidentally spending the money you were supposed to be using to pay rent, buy the kids school shoes or get some extra groceries. You know, live and stuff.
Kmart isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when you think about shopping for fashion or to re-style your living room. But you know what we have discovered? It really, really should be.
The entire Mamamia editorial team went to Kmart recently. It was like a school excursion but with no daggy and compulsory floppy hats and FAR SUPERIOR take-home souvenirs.
If we’re completely honest with you… we went kinda NUTS. Okay really nuts. Like a hyperactive squirrel nuts.
There’s neon, there’s colour, there are stylish items in every aisle.
The clothes are of good quality, they’re no throw-away after one wear stuff. They are also right on trend – there was more neon in the t-shirt section of Kmart than in the whole of Mia’s wardrobe. And that’s saying something. The kitchen items and the decorative household stuff were also similarly stylish and practical.
And the best part of all? The prices are so LOW. Forget about forking out a month’s pay on that sparkly top that’s only going to be cool for about 2 months – you can get it at Kmart for the same amount that you probably spent on breakfast that morning.
Take a look at our Kmart ‘Finds’ and leave your own in the comment below.
These bags are rad. But I faced the inevitable dilemma of which colour? But at $15 a pop - it seemed easier to just buy both. - Jamila Rizvi, Managing Editor
Kmart is Australia’s home of irresistibly low prices on everything, every day. But behind the low prices you’ll also find amazing choice, giving you so much more to have fun with. For more surprises, and to see our products come to life, click here.
You can win one of five $100 Kmart vouchers just by commenting on this post and telling us about the best bargain you’ve ever found. (Bonus points if it was at Kmart!) The five best comments will win. You must be a Mamamia member to enter. Competition closes 27/08/12.
This post is sponsored by Kmart. Comments on this post are just for this post. If you want to talk about the IDEA of sponsored posts or the choice of advertisers please click here. We will be reading all those comments too for feedback.
Comments
234 Comments so far
“How is that even possible?” – perhaps when you ask yourselves this questions, you should take time to actually contemplate the answer.
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We had a beach wedding to attend a few weeks ago, and appropriate outfits were proving to be a bit of a problem. I was fine as I just wore one of my million maxi dresses, but my partner was an issue. Not only are we on a massively tight budget at the moment, but he’s put on some weight (ssshhh) and no longer fits into any of his clothes. I knew that menswear shops were out of the question for price reasons (when I say “tight budget”…I literally have every dollar of our wages budgeted!) so I popped into Kmart one night after work (another one of my favourite Kmart features – better opening hours than any other shop!).
Well lo and behold, I managed to find a pair of perfect beige trousers on sale – $12 reduced from $29! So then I grabbed him a surprisingly chic button-down shirt….on sale for $8. Yep, an outfit for a wedding for exactly twenty bucks!
I even managed to find a pair of jewelled flat sandals for myself to dress up my outfit a bit.
Funnily enough, we got quite a few compliments that night, and when I put a photo of us on facebook I got comments like “you always look great” etc. Little do they know!
It felt lovely because as anyone will know, living on a shoestring can be a bit depressing. It’s nice to know there’s somewhere where I can usually pick up a last-minute outfit (or a gift, or an emergency kitchen appliance replacement, etc!).
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I haven’t shopped at Kmart since the advertisements became just down right stupid and degrading to woman. It’s a shame really because I used to love a good cheap shop at Kmart, but sometimes you just have to have principles!
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EmC – I could not agree more! Those ads drive me bonkers!! Everytime it comes on (which is a LOT!) my husband just looks at me and says ‘breathe, breathe!’
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Mia, you wonder how a pair of jeans can be designed, manufactured and transported to Kmart for you to buy at the “bargain” price of $8?
I urge you to watch the 20 minute documentary “The Story of Stuff” for the answer to that question:
http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff
Short answer? It’s only a bargain if you don’t care about environmental sustainability and child-labour. It’s sad that these issues fall into the too-hard basket at Mamamia.
I’ve been a poor uni student before and I’ve definitely bought too-cheap-to-be-ethical clothes, from Kmart and elsewhere. But I take issue with the irresponsible, “so cheap I’ll buy two!” attitude flaunted here. Seriously, let’s have a proper think about WHY this stuff is so cheap and the wider impact of ardent consumerism.
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You are right – I also think people do need to be educated on how and why some clothes are so cheap, to enable them to make better and more ethical choices. I think it’s definitely a topic worth exploring, and I also think it’s the sort of thing Mamamia would be keen to write about. I’d estimate that a lot of people don’t even think about child labour etc when they buy products, and that’s not something we should blame them for if they haven’t been educated on it.
It’s just unfortunate that you came off sounding a bit rude and cynical in your comment
Probably not the best way to positively influence people.
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An excellent point, Niki. I’d also urge people to read this recent article: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/conscientious-consumption-20120703-21far.html
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I have never commented before but the growing culture of disposable fashion in Australia (buy it and wear it once, who cares?!, hell – why not buy two?) makes me terribly sad.
The reality is – the reason that we can buy kid’s jeans for $8 is because we pay people in developing countries to make it for us. These labour markets are highly complex – there are benefits and disadvantages to the individuals who produce these goods.
Just remember guys – Shopping is a political act. It is important that we consume goods as ethically as we can. By all means, buy your Kmart coffee cups. Just think carefully about these purchases. It matters. Let’s not encourage a culture of mindless consumption.
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thank you for the link
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Kmart stopped selling bonds, so I don’t go there anymore.
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Seriously?? I used to buy Bonds there all the time!
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Same.
I now go to Big W. Target doesn’t even stock the ones I like.
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I refuse to buy bonds since Pacific Brands got a vast amount of money from the Australian government for machinery and then shipped the machinery overseas and their employees lost their jobs here! No Bonds for my family, great Aussie brand……..not!!
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Hey Mets, they still employ over 1000 Aussies so calm down
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I purchased my 4 and 9 year old daughters some Kmart clothes recently – PJs, bathers, dresses and jeans. None have worn and washed well. No point being “on trend” if things don’t last a season.
Target and Big W clothing for kids wear and washes much better.
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Best and Less!! Still awesomely priced and they always manage to wash well.
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I got a pretty dress (red with butterflies) for my daughter from the current range at Target and it failed to last one wash. The wash completely drained the red so it looked like stonewash red (for want of a better description). It might have been $12 but it was also rubbish quality, and not what I expected of Target.
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A few years ago I was redecorating my bedroom. I painted a rich chocolate brown feature wall, put up garlands of white flower lights but couldn’t find any artwork that suited the big gap in my wall. I searched and searched for months but found nothing but dissapointment and price tags far beyond my budget.
Then, one day I was looking in Kmart and found a STUNNING big, white metal artwork, perfect to hang over the gap in my feature wall. One problem, it was the last one and it had no box or price. I asked the salesman for a price, he dissapeared and came back saying
‘that’s $3.14. When you go through the checkout ask them to call me to confim’.
I was so happy. And all these years later, that artwork is such a feature in my room, it completes my space perfectly.
I love Kmart (Targets pretty wonderful too!)
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I really worry about buying a tshirt for $5 and just who made it, how much they are being paid for it. We all love a bargain but frankly, the mentality around buying something because it’s cheap, not the best quality and disposing of it when its no good in a short space of time is crazy. It seems people are more addicted to the act of purchasing than anything else. I appreciate that for some people buying something cheap is all they can afford but really – $5 tshirt! Spare me.
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So my recent bargain and from K-Mart were pens with fairy/princess and feather stops which light up when you write! So cute I bought them form my daughters gift bags for her birthday party! And they were 50 cents!!!!!!!
We get all the kids toys and birthday gift from K-Mart, a great variety and SOOOOO much cheaper than anywhere else!
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Well, it just so happens that many of my recent bargains and secret cheapie faves have been K-mart purchases.
1. Craft and paint boxes for $7. These are freaking amazing. Clear plastic carry boxes packed with glitter, stickers, sponges, glue, paints, beads and brushes and about a million other crafty things that will keep kids occupied quietly for ages (while you trawl the internet for more bargains – full of win!)
2. Gimmicky stationery – there’s an aisle of my local K-mart packed with heavily discounted treasures (you know, the sort with the tag that says CLEARANCE.) Smiggle-style novelties like cute erasers, glittery pens, notebooks, sparkly pencil cases and miniature clothespegs, all for under $2. This stuff sends my little girls into raptures and it’s awesome for party bags.
3. Shapewear – K-mart’s is the best, comes in nude and black. Whenever I see it in my size, I grab it because the racks are usually empty. Obviously a lot of other people think the same way.
I4. Stuff for decorating kids’ rooms – I picked up a couple of pink vinyl star-shaped foot stools for about $8 each and they are brilliant in the playroom. I also got a lamp with a light that changes colour and creates a gorgeous night sky in the room, only $10.
I’m sure there are more but that’s all off the top of my head. Happy shopping!
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One of the best bargains I have found recently was actually from Kmart. I had been looking all over for a pair of burgundy jeans but all the ones i’d seen were either too tight, long, big etc… then I was in Kmart trying something on and walked past the kids section and they had the exact colour I was looking for. I’m a size 8 so thought i’d be cheeky and try on the largest kids size and low and behold… THEY ACTUALLY FIT!! And they were only like $10. I may have also bought a purple pair from the womens section for $15 and still wear them both, they have held up well.
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Sorry Kmart – you lost me a few months ago when you got rid of most of the brands. I love a bargain as much as the next person but most of what’s left is tacky and doesn’t last. Bummer, because your opening hours are the best! Never thought t would happen but I actually prefer Big W these days if looking for uber cheap or else Target.
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We actually had a KMart close down here, and it’s getting replaced by a Target (woohoo!) and an Aldi. I reckon it’s because of what you said – Mum and my sister, among others, have said exactly the same thing. That’s why I commented that I only like KMart for dvds and stuff like that. It used to be great for brand name stuff but now with the Homemaker or whatever they call it brand, it’s all just cheap crap that doesn’t last.
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I used to love their cotton pants for summer. Last year, I bought them, they were usually about $40, last summer they were $15. Two ripped within a few wears, another pair went terribly out of shape after one wash. I wouldn’t buy from them again now.
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I am not going to win the $100 voucher with this comment. I wouldn’t want it.
$8 tops and jeans, and we then complain about Australian manufacturing being taken off shore? Not only are we killing the Australian manufacturing industry buying this cheap crap, it wont last and will become landfill (especially those terrible plastic $15 handbags, which colour “at $15 a pop it seemed easier to just buy both” is a case in point.
We can’t have our cake and eat it too, we can’t expect low unemployment in Australia with high wages AND being able to buy this cheap junk. Some families are doing it tough and are looking for bargains but buying this tack is just a false economy.
Mamamia, disappointed.
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I’ve recently discovered KMart is often better than Target, and article this has made me realise I need to investigate even more there. But, my most recent bargain was 2 very wearable casual dresses for $10 total yesterday in a 2nd hand store in Brunswick. Also, both were Australian made & I’m wearing one now.
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I ADORE Kmart! Occasionally on a Saturday night, if hubby and I aren’t going out, Mum will come with me to the local 24 hour store, whilst the kids are sleeping, and we will always snap up BRILLIANT bargains!
Let me name a few things that I have bought recently….
K – is for Kitchen goods – cake tins square and round!
M – is for Maternity bras – the best ones I’ve ever found!
A – is for Accessories – bracelets, belts and hats!
R – is for Raincoat – yup, raincoat, fancy that!
T – is for T-shirts, for EVERY shape and size!
No one LOVES Kmart like me, I’d make “quick work” of the prize!
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E is for Environment – stop buying useless rubbish that you don’t need!
L is for Landfill – where all this useless cheap rubbish is going to end up!
S is for Stop – just stop with the unnecessary buying frenzy already!
F is for Future – let’s consider what kind of planet we are going to leave behind for our kids, their kids etc etc. It starts today.
T is for Tree-hugging Hippie -
I just care and I think more people need to start doing the same!
No I am not one before you ask
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Ummm what’s ELSFT stand for?
I thought we were doing acrostics….
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Sorry Anon I spoiled the acrostics party
I hope I made a valid point in the process!
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anyone else having problems with the slideshow not loading, again?
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Here’s 2 reasons not to buy from Kmart. EVERYTHING they stock is made off shore. They do NOTHING to support Australian manufacturing.
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And they kill small Australian businesess.
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Kmart employed me and working there gave me the biggest boost of confidence. And for that I support them.
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If they can sell it for so little to us and still make a profit, how much are they paying the people who make them? Obviously not enough.
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OK.
Enough is enough.
Let me tell you a little about the clothing manufacturing industry.
IT DOESNT EXIST IN AUSTRALIA.
All brands (minus a very rare few) utilise cheap (wheither its slave or sweat shop who will ever really know) methods of producing clothing.
The difference is this. Clothing brands like Country road (where you can buy a skirt for $170) gets their clothes produced in China (for a production cost of about 5-20% – ie. making profits from the ‘brand’ while limiting their production with the knowledge as its semi expensive they wont have it flying off the shelves).
Clothing from Kmart is mass produced in China and sold for closer to its manufacturing cost. but profits are made by the accessability and the amount sold, not the ‘branding’.
But hey, buy whatever makes you sleep at night.
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I don’t buy from ANY company unless I know where the products I’am buying is being made and by who. I’am extremely fortunate in that I have the money in being able to purchase expensive goods from ethical companies. Not everyone can afford to do this BUT I’m tired of people turning a blind eye to it. Be honest, you’re buying a cheap product from Kmart or wherever and be honest that it was probably made by a child or in a sweat shop. OWN UP, don’t just try and justify your choices.
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Justify my choices? I’m paid 36K a yr and live in Sydney – I dont have choices! Tell me Ms Anon, where does one buy such squeaky clean clothing? I’m pretty sure you should check your facts before revealing tho, practically no clothing is made outside of China and South America.
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Firstly, I have to say that you very rude. I wasn’t attacking with anyone, we all do what wehave to, to get by. I don’t care if you want to buy clothes at K-Mart because you like them or that’s all you can afford. But people shouldn’t pretend that the people making them items are being treated fairly or ethically. And K-Marts clothing now comes from Bangladesh (the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights just investigated them for it)
I purchase all my clothes in smaller shops, where there is no mass production, they don’t come from overseas and I know exactly where they were made, who has made them and I personally pay them the wage it is worth.
Companies like K-Mart could still produce their products overseas, pay the people a good wage, give them good conditions and make a huge profit. They don’t because they can buy slave labour for virtually nothing and make an even bigger profit. And people turn a blind eye and get excited they can buy a t-shirt for $5.
If everyone stopped buying K-Mart clothes for one month and wrote to them and told them why, they would stop making them in sweat shops. Companies are after making money. If no one is buying their product, they will change their practices.These days people care about how cheap a product is and they don’t care where it came from, as long as they can get it for $5 instead of paying $20. It just seems a little sad people are comfortable to be clothing their kids, when the clothes were made by children the same age, for a tiny wage, under terrible conditions.
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Anon, no rudeness intended.
I’m just quite jaded by the whole situation. Even Australian designers have their clothes made in Asia or Sth America, which i discovered to my horror. Neither Kmart or Myer have any difference. I’m glad you can buy your clothes without guilt, I Try to stick to op shops, but K-mart is cheaper still…Its tough. Still ask questions of your smaller shops, many of those quirky shops still buy their clothes from wholesalers.
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I ask ALOT of questions and drive people crazy doing it probably! But where possible, I like to know everything I can about the products i purchase. I’m fortunate that I’m in a position where I can not only make informed decisions, I can pay the extra that is necessary.
I don’t judge anyone for making choices to get buy. Obviously people NEED to buy things and they can buy what they can afford and what they want. But what frustrates me, is people wanting to ignore or justify the very real problems that are occurring in other countries. For us to be able to put those shoes at $4.50, someone is making them for a very tiny wage, living in poor conditions, being mistreated and the list goes on.
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Why yes, I did buy a queen doona set for $12 on sale five years ago…and yes, I still use it! WHAT IS THIS.
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Kmart and it’s owners use sweatshops to produce these ‘cheap’ clothes and accessories. It’s disgraceful.
I’m upset that you would blindly think “wow it’s so cheap, I’ll buy two” without contemplating where and how things could be made so cheaply.
Mamamia, I’m disappointed.
You can read more here – http://www.ethical.org.au/company/?company=1101
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Okay – so what’s the alternative?
There are no clothing manufacturer’s left in Australia. Where do we buy our clothes at an affordable price?
Bring on your suggestions.
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Indeed! I don’t have the budget to placate myself with more expensive labels which make me feel like i’m not using cheaply made clothing. Its all made in the same place.
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My most recent bargain: Sportsgirl skirt, $70. Sale price, $20. They didn’t have my size left in the sale stock, SO THEY ORDERED IT IN FROM A STORE ON THE COAST. When I got the call that it had arrived, I went in store, and paid ONLY $10. Woohoo!! I usually don’t even shop there because it’s too expensive!
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Love Kmart! I felt like doing a bit of shopping a few Sunday’s ago, so i popped down to my local kmart. I got heaps of great stuff (all of which I needed but had been putting off buying from other stores). But the best thing I got were 4 adorable clear placements with a pastel blue and green apple print on them for $1! They’re so cheery, stylish and practical… Plus they remind me of the family I want to have (I’m home today after the egg pick up part of my second ivf cycle)
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I hit -Mart just last week. $8 workout tights. I bought one pair thinking, “well, they’re crap, I’ve only wasted the equivalent of two large coffee’s.”
They are amazeballs! I went back and bought two more pairs, a pair for my mum, and a $10 racerback singlet. Bargain!
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My dumb keyboard was playing up when I posted before, and there is no edit button.
I meant to say:
I hit K-Mart just last week. $8 workout tights. I bought one pair thinking, “well, IF they’re crap, I’ve only wasted the equivalent cost of two large coffee’s.”
They were amazeballs! I went back and bought two more pairs, a pair for my mum, and a $10 racerback singlet. Bargain!
Sorry, I am a pernickety future lawyer. Have to dot those I’s and cross those T’s!
Aaaaah, my universe is in balance now.
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Things I love at Kmart:
- Homewares: sheets, towels, bowls, etc. Perfect for the share house
- Work clothes: I waitress and Kmart have basic black at affordable prices
- Shoes: I can’t walk in heels but the BF loves them. I don’t want to spend big on shoes I can’t wear outside the house so I pick up heels at Kmart.
Best bargain ever: Years ago, while doing my undergrad, I bought two pairs of going out shoes from Kmart. They were strappy open flats, like thongs but with more straps to dress them up, dressy enough to wear to a club, ball or bar. Comfortable enough to wear all night.
One pair was silver, one pair gold. Perfect to match with different outfits. I changed my toenail polish depending on which pair I was in. I wore these religiously, nearly every time I went out from the pub to a posh ball, for over two years, maybe more, until they wore through on the bottoms. For $15 a pair I think that is an amazing bargain! I STILL miss those shoes!!
Love Kmart.
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In all honesty I went off K Mart a few years ago. I honestly think I didn’t step foot in there for about 2 or 3 years. However. When I took an extra year off work due to kidlets i discovered it again last year and it’s awesome! You bever know what you’re going to find. It was nic to feel a little on trend and not break the budget.
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Husband has always dressed like a bum so I decided to take matters into my own hands and choose some outfits for him. Kmart had some awesome shirts for $4 each. I just washed and hung them in the closet without saying anything. Couple of days later he walked out wearing a new shirt with a big smile on his face. Win for Kmart!! hehehe
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I moved to Australia as a poor uni student and didnt have much money to shop and didn’t know any Australian brand names. KMart was cheap and close to home and I had no idea that shopping there was something to be ashamed of! I have bought everything from $10 jeans, gym wear, underwear, chopping boards, sheets, bowls and more from KMart. They do have a lot of junk when it comes to clothes, yes but with a little bit of creativity I have managed to make even a basic $5 white tee shirt look great. I often get compliments for my Kmart clothes and I had no idea about how Australians usually look at Kmart stuff so I would proudly tell people where I got my stuff and what a bargain it was and they would be amazed. Now…I know KMart is not high street fashion shopping but I am still happy to tell people how I got a pair of cute ballet flats for $10. I know I’ll wear them only 1 season so why bother wasting $80 on them.
Needless to say, I would LOVE a Kmart voucher so I can go buy some neon!
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First of all, I love Kmart, I really do. But when I see jeans for sale for $8 I think two things:
– They’re going to fall apart on the third wear.
– Who is making these jeans that they can sell them for so little?
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While you are 100% right on the ethical issue on the ‘cheapness’, i have to admit, the jeans I have purchased have lasted.
This is based on one pair i bought in a bind at 8pm when I was due to be at drinks at 9pm. My $90 pair literally had experienced a fabric fail an hour before. So I bought the $10 pair of skinny jeans and they are so comfy, stretchy, and havent faded. They wash fine, and havent stretched. I was genuinely surprised.
I probably wont buy from them again for the ethical reasons, but I found it interesting that whoever is making their jeans are making them better than my Bardot ones and my Lee Denim ones (both have died in recent months).
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I buy all my work clothes from Kmart. They are so smart, stylish and in my budget.
I have to say, the best bargain is Kmart tights, they last FOREVER!
Also, I bought a $45 vaccum cleaner almost 3 years ago and im STILL using it! I’ve had vacs that i’ve spent triple that which have lasted half that time. BARGAIN!
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So to enter the comp this is my latest bargain- Black skirt that was suitable for work but not to “worky” found at Kmart for $10 needless to say I bought 2!
I honestly LOOOOOOVE Kmart!! I’m not even sucking up to win the comp I have been complimented on many clothing items that have been from Kmart!!
I could go on forever….. but I won’t because it will look like I’m just trying to win the comp but I’m honestly not!!!
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I recently bought from Kmart:
- 3 pairs of wedged canvasy shoes – red, black and beige only 15 dollars each.
- Sky scraping black heels – 11 dollars
-black (fake) leather wedged shoes for work – 19 dollars
oh and I managed to grab a 5 yr old a present – fire truck for 15 dollars (which he loved!)
Whole shop took me 10 mins max!
LOVE Kmart and want one of those handbags!
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I’m being transparent too and saying I would LOVE a $100 Kmart voucher! My favorite unexpected Kmart buy has been breastfeeding singlets. Identical to Bonds or maternity designer in look AND quality, but much cheaper and the stores always have the full range of sizes. I also bought two gym tops there, from their regular range, that stretched beautifully over my baby bump, washed well over and over, and are now about to be used for my current baby bump, three years later!
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Lucy has been made a senior writer and no annoucement has been made?
Don’t you think it might be worth mentioning, even if only briefly in the Open Post or something?
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My friend recently had a new addition to her family and didn’t have clothes for a 2 year old girl…. went to Kmart and decked out an entire wardrobe for less than $150!! I arranged all the items, including shoes and a teddy bear, in a basket with a bow. She was so excited!!!
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My husband recently told me that I needed new “house” clothes after he could see through my shirt and pants…. It had been two years, TWO YEARS, since I last bought an outfit. With that in mind, I went in search of a comfy outfit that I can wear around the house, and pop to the shops in, without feeling like at any moment my rags might disintegrate into thin air from old age!!
Lo and behold, Kmart was the place for me!! One whole delicious outfit for a grand total of… $16!!!! At that price, I bought three!!! Woo hoo!!
Now if only I had the money to afford the accessories…
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I love love love that Kmart has gone back to the great value store it once was (it got really exxy for a while there!).
When I bought my first home I lived with only the basics for months. Couch, TV, fridge, bed and no pretty things to make it feel like a home. Then I went into Kmart in the midst of boxing-day sale shopping and picked up so many lovely (and cheap!) things to make my house feel like a home.
My best purchase? 2 animal print cushions for $1 each. That was about 5 years ago and I still have them to this day. They look rad against my red couch.
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I gotta say, having lived near a Kmart for 8 years, I never would have bought clothes there five years ago. And then it just improved, significantly. I have been wearing my new $15 rapberry-coloured jeans religiously. I’m planning to go back for more colours…
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I went a little bit mental in Dotti over the weekend as soon as I saw that their coloured jeans were only $39. Any colour! All the colours!!! I am wearing pink today
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Just the other week I was moaning to some work mates about my local K-Mart being the dumping ground for every ugly piece of clothing in Australia and then I walked into my local last week and was amazed at the transformation. I walked out with some great tops and accessories.
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I wore my Kmart sky-scraper heels to a wedding on the weekend and not only were they comfy, they looked smokin’. That’s $12 of damn fine value, if you ask me!
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I love a bargain! Last year I got a ton of girls t-shirts for $1 at K-mart, shoes for $3 and years ago I got a bright purple double doona for $4.
I also got a set of 3 jigsaw puzzles a couple of weeks ago for $1 – awesome!
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I write a fashion blog that features my favourite fashions for under $50. Feel free to check it out http://www.lessthanapineapple.com! I only featured boys hi-tops from KMart last week!!
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When I need something for my apartment, Kmart is usually my first stop. I am always amazed at how low the prices are.
They’re also quite good for shoes – not super stylish ones but for basic ballet flats in a range of colours….
I’ve never really looked through the clothes section but next time I might.
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Ooh….best buys. This is my favourite topic!! I have lots, but off the top of my head:
My tomato plant from Bunnings that cost me $3 and provided me with tomatoes all through spring and summer
The Cd and Dvd books (is that the right word?) that meant I could throw away all our CD and DVD cases. That gave me back the storage space under my coffee table and three drawers in my wardrobe. Win!
The DVDs I bought at Toys R Us that were marked down to $1. Their bargain table is awesome!! I also once bought some computer games for my kids there for 1c. Seriously!
The toddler bed I bought for my son on Ebay that I resold (on Ebay) for $10 more than I bought it for 2 years earlier.
My slow cooker!! This has saved me so much time at night. I love, love, love my slow cooker.
I’ve bought so many bargains from Kmart. It’s the only place I go to buy kid’s birthday presents. I love their board game section in particular. There are often games there reduced by $10 – $15 dollars. And the underwear!! Cheap, comfy knickers for $1.50 each. I do love Kmart. The thing I most love? My local one is open till midnight so I can go when the kids are in bed and browse to my heart’s content.
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I love Kmart. I always end up buying people novelty electrical goods like cupcake makers and popcorn machines for birthdays. I always have to resist buying the million piece plastic animal/toy solider sets!
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Oh my best buy would have to be the Carla Zampati gown I purchased from Myer about 5 years ago. It was the last one and it had been marked down from $700 to $105. It sure does take a lot more squeezing into then it used to though. Can’t find a single picture of it on my laptop.
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Myers and DJ’s sure know how to do a sale
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Have to admit, living in a rural town, we don’t have many options. But, Kmart rocks! Have gotten too many bargains to list there. But I think the best was sheets for my sons bed for $3, or my door mats for $13 that are so soft I wish my carpet was made from the same stuff. Oh, or my $8 jeans…
Also, my husband is a boilermaker and goes through uniforms at breakneck speed, so the $8 men’s jeans are brilliant for his work uniform!
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Is this an ad for Kmart masquerading as editorial? Tacky.
And “how is it possible” Mia? It’s possible because it is made in China in units of 10,000+. By very low- paid workers. And the production, shipping and transport contributes enormously to the ruination of the environment. It is “possible” because at $8 the quality is not very good – it’s throw-away fashion designed and intended so you’ll buy more and more of it. I am not immune to purchasing products produced this way- you’d have to be very disciplined not to- but I am not so naive that I ask “how is this even possible?” Are you, really?
I really can’t believe that you’re advertising Kmart in this way. I am actually stunned. And not in a “did you watch Puberty Blues?” way, which at least has some merit in terms of analysing book-to-tv adaptation, acting and production, but in a “buy this because…” way. I’d love to hear a justification from you…really, I am interested.
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Erm, they tell you it’s a sponsored post?
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Lizzie, it quite clearly states that it is a sponsored post. At the bottom of the there is is a link to a forum where you can discuss the “idea” of sponsored posts.
This the place to discuss Kmart and their prices – regardless of whether they’ve paid to have an article written about them.
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For FRICKS sake, lighten up.
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Telling people to “lighten up” because they happen to express an opinion, one that you may not agree with or feel is important, is condescending in the extreme.
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It pretty clearly says under the first photo that it is a sponsored post. And it is hard to find clothes not made in China – just generally you are paying more for them.
And please, you will be wearing neon next year? – no, thought not! I can’t understand why you would want to spend lots money on better quality clothes that will be out of fashion in 6 months time!
Bottom line – don’t like it, don’t buy it!
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hi Lizzie,
This is a sponsored post that is declared to be such at the top of the post as per our guidelines. We’re always transparent.
And it’s worth noting that just because a post is sponsored, the words and sentiment it contains are still completely authentic.
Including the quotes from me and others on the MM team.
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Thanks for replying, Mia. Now you mention it, I see those really small words!
But anyway, is that the point? It is just so bloody tacky! I’m reminded of ACA and those shows and their ridiculous paid-for product placements. Is that an association you want? Most of the commenters, those not vying to win a voucher, express distaste for this post.
And the “how is this possible?” comment is disingenuous, at best.
I guess you have to sometimes make decisions based on money… but I reserve the right to question the sincerity of your’s and your staff’s comments…it is a sponsored post after all, as you have pointed out!!
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Yay!!! I as SOOO happy this post is up! I was going to write in this week to tell you about my bargains. You see, recently I have discovered what being on a budget is all about. And yes, it effects my life ALL OVER THE PLACE. Even in places you’d never thought about. Like what kind of mascara I use, to if I can buy a bottle of water at lunch. Nobody understands.. (or so it seems)…. But it has ADDED to my life so much. I find I get to be super creative and try new things…
This weekend my husband and I has calculated our entertainment budget would be blown on the Sat night, so Friday night we figured we would stay in… and do what? I don’t know. We were at a lost. In the end I googled stuff and saw an ad for KMart. I realised it was open til 9pm and we live next to a big mall. So we decided to walk to Kmart. We made our own coffees at home to take (paper cups on hand- so handy!), put on beanies (it was cold out!) and walked together. It was kinda cute!
We were at KMart for about an hour, looking at things we wanted to buy for ourselves or for friend’s gifts. In the end I found a Indiana-Jones style shirt on sale for $5! I also found a tan dress (usually $19) for $5.03!
I like stepping out of my comfort zone with clothes, but I find it hard to justify spending money on clothes I’m not sure I’ll like in 6 months. No problem with KMart! I showed my husband who wasn’t so sure of the style of the dress. He kept asking how I was going to pull that off at a birthday party or other event. He said that’s great it’s 5 bucks, but if you never wear it, what’s the point?! I said just wait…
When we got home I took the material belt that was tied around the dress, wrapped a skinny patent leather belt around, put on some black pumps and showed my husband.
He LOVED it and said he was so happy I could get creative with a $5.03 dress. We now refer to that night as the 5 dollar challenge. (He had a $5 cooking challenge last night and blew it outta the water!).
I seriously want to post pictures of this dress, but I am at uni all day!!
boooo
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We have the bowls, and they are fantastic! I was skeptical as I thought they might be bad quality, but nope, months of use and they’re still in tip top shape!
Also bought the best dish rack for $15 on the weekend, and it came with two utensil holders that hang on the rack. Go Kmart!
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Is that the double decker dish rack?!
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Yes! I love it!
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Me too, it’s so spacious!
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Haha I LOVE that dish rack!!
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What is this dish rack you speak of?!?! Must have one!
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