Kmart fans beg retailer to make major sizing change: 'We've been forgotten'

Kmart shoppers are begging the budget retailer to make a major change and increase their sizing range. In a since-deleted post in Kmart's own Facebook group, one user wrote that they "desperately need bigger sizes" than the current offering, which only goes to size 20, and countless others agree.

Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, CurvySam, an influencer and founder of CurvyAu, an Australian plus-size community, says Kmart's plus-size range feels like "an afterthought", adding they could be doing so much more. She tells us, "While Australians love and adore Kmart for its fashion-forward, cost-effective clothing, its size range is not inclusive enough. The standard range goes up to size 20, which I can fit into about 50 per cent of the time – I wear a size 18 in the plus section as the pattern grading is more generous."

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"However, the plus-size section feels like an afterthought – segregated, underwhelming, and often outdated, like stepping back 20 years in style," she adds. "Many of us avoid it entirely because it’s so disheartening. Despite some minor efforts to bring a handful of standard range styles into plus, it’s limited to just two or three per collection. It feels like we’ve been forgotten, and it would be amazing for everyone to be able to shop the standard range. Achieving this is entirely within reach for Kmart."

From Sam's experience as someone with nearly 200k followers across Instagram and TikTok, she says there is "absolutely" a demand for increased sizing.

"I see firsthand the monumental demand for increased sizing," she explains. "I see it every single day of my life.

"My try-on videos of Kmart clothing consistently receive the most engagement, with countless people expressing frustration over the limited plus-size options. Many dream of being able to shop the standard range if only the sizing were more inclusive."

Sam adds, "People are screaming out for increased sizes, and whether we like it or not, people are getting bigger—and they deserve to wear fashionable, affordable clothes just like everyone else."

She also points out that Kmart "has the resources and buying power" to offer a broader size range, adding, "Ideally, shopping at Kmart would be a positive experience for everyone, regardless of size. I’d like to see the plus size section integrated with the standard range and for the entire range to be size-inclusive, extending well beyond size 20."

'Progress has been slow'

Sam has previously had conversations with the retailer about their size range, telling us she is "hopeful" they will make the change "but progress has been slow".

"Conversations with Kmart staff in 2020 suggested plans to extend sizing to 26, but by 2022 when I followed up, I was told there was no plans to make changes," she shares. "The fashion industry is moving toward inclusivity, and with the plus-size market projected to grow to a trillion-dollar industry in the next decade, Kmart has a significant opportunity to evolve and meet customer demand."

And Sam isn't just asking for this change, she is delivering it through her own small business, saying if she "as a small business owner, can make it work, Kmart certainly can."

"As the founder of an inclusive robe and loungewear brand, HILDAS (sizes XS-9XL), I know firsthand how challenging and costly it is to cater to all sizes, especially above size 26," she tells us. "There isn’t much profit margin at these sizes – I pay triple the amount to have garments cut and sewn, and the material consumption is significantly higher. Despite this, I choose to take the financial hit because inclusivity is important to me.

"If I, as a small business owner, can make it work, Kmart certainly can. They’re already an incredible brand offering something for nearly everyone – except plus-size clothing. It’s time they step up to provide a positive shopping experience for all sizes. Inclusive sizing would not only meet customer needs but also establish Kmart as a leader in affordable, accessible fashion."

Sam still loves the brand, however, adding, "Everyone loves Kmart – it's iconically Australian, cost-effective and no matter what you go in for, you always end up leaving with way more than you intended!"

Kmart shoppers label plus-size clothing as 'so ugly'

In one of Sam's TikToks, where she tries to find plus-size clothing in Kmart, one commenter wrote, "The plus-size in Kmart is just so ugly. We just want normal clothes."

"Yes!" another agreed. "We just want their normal range in plus. [I don't know] why it's so hard for them."

"Kmart just doesn't have any decent clothes for plus-size," a third added. "I'm a 24-26."

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"Agree, it's very sad shopping for plus-size clothing in Kmart," someone else added.

"Was in Big W yesterday... same thing, plus-size section was awful," another shared.

"I went into two different stores last night, two rows of plus-size and it was all crap," someone else lamented. "Then a MASSIVE section of straight sizes of amazingness. DO BETTER KMART."

"Kmart needs to listen to their customers," another said.

CurvySam's favourite size-inclusive brands

Sam shared her favourite size-inclusive brands, telling us, "If you’re looking for Aussie brands that cater to size 22+ and want the joy of shopping in-store, check out Proud Poppy, Embracing Bella, You & All, Mama Mane, Made590, and Mahli The Label. They’ve got fab options that make you feel stylish and seen!

For online shopping (because, let’s face it, that’s where 80 per cent of my wardrobe comes from), I love Variety Hour, Lullaby Club, Princess Polly, and Love Your Wardrobe. These brands make online shopping fun, accessible, and full of gorgeous, size-inclusive finds. If you’re plus-size and love a good haul, these are the places to go!"

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Kmart for comment.

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