Customers slam Kmart’s “crazy” clothing sizes
Unlike the US and the UK, Australia does not have a sizing standard for clothes. As a result, it’s not uncommon to be a size 12 in one store and a size 16 in another.
However, Kmart is being criticised for its “ridiculous” sizing that’s seen women who typically wear a size 10 be forced to purchase a size 20 item of clothing – so imagine what it’s like for women beyond the “standard” size eight to 16.
Kmart claims to cater for women of all sizes (up to 26), but many are complaining that its standards for size, style and fit are skewed.
Kirra Lee, a member of the popular Kmart Mums Australia Facebook group, shared a photo of herself wearing an $8 black and white skirt purchased from her local store.
“Bought my first size 18 skirt today,” she captioned the image. “F*** you Kmart for your ridiculous sizing.”
Kirra’s post attracted hundreds of comments from fellow shoppers who also complained that the discount retailer’s sizing was incredibly inaccurate.
“I know how you feel,” another woman wrote. “I’m a size 12 usually but had to buy size 16 in their pants. Crazy sizing.”
One commenter said she’s usually a size 6-8 but had to go up to a size 16 for a dress from Kmart.
“I am a size 14 MAX around my waist and legit was in tears because I had to buy a size 18 bikini bottoms,” another shopper commented. “I was not a happy camper.”
Several women said they were left in tears after “sitting in the change room watching the size go up and up and up”.
“I usually wear a size 16 the other day I had to buy a top sized 26. 26!” another added. “Made me feel awful.”
One shopper shared a photo of two pairs of Kmart jeans, one size 12 and one size 14, showing just how little difference there was between the two.
The Australian Standard Size Coding Scheme for women’s clothing was scrapped in 2008, leaving it up to individual retailers to set their own sizing scales based on sales data from their stores.
“Brands profile their target markets and determine their size ranges from that,” Australian Design Alliance CEO Jo-Ann Kellock told news.com.au.
“They look at who they want to sell to, the position they want to place themselves in the market and the price point.
“Is it a luxury brand, is it what we call ‘fashion forward’, or ‘fashion basic’? Then they’ll look at that woman’s age, body characteristics, her shape and size, to determine the shape and size of the clothing range.
“All of those things come into the mix when brands are profiling their customer.”
Tell us in the comments below, have you had any trouble finding the right size at Kmart?