Spring Outfits on a BUDGET: The Kmart Shopper!

Shopping for the entire family can be difficult and expensive.. but it doesn't HAVE to be!

If you decide to buy new outfits for your session, it can be really stressful for a number of reasons -- the main ones being that you don't know what to look for and it's all so bloody expensive! I love Kmart for most items; kids shoes and clothing, basic clothing and shoes for myself and John (think casual tees, pjs, and underwear), and then like, anything else they sell. Basically, the only thing we don't buy from Kmart is most of mine and John's clothing. We like to invest a little in decent jeans, good quality jackets, etc. Kmart clothing doesn't really hold it's shape over time and they wear much quicker than something that may be relatively more expensive. We believe in buying a handful of good quality items once or twice a year and then pairing those things with a Kmart tee, for example, to save on money over the long term. We have three growing kids. We're literally buying them new wardrobes every season because they can't fit their clothing and shoes from the previous year! And whilst there's only 3 years between our sons, our youngest, Carter, was born very early and very tiny, and that's happened to stay with him.. so although he's almost 4, he's still, mostly, in size 2 clothing. So I'm not about to hold on to a bunch of size 6 clothes for the day he can finally fit them! I share this with you because I know how it feels to have to buy yet another pair of shoes when you're so sure you only JUST bought the last pair! I know how it feels to have to purchase these things ON TOP OF school uniform, books, school trips, sports fees, ANOTHER PACK OF LEGO DOTS.. this list goes on! And I know how important it is, as a mother, to want nice outfits for family photos.. but feeling like all the beautiful outfits are well out of our budget. My friends, Kmart is WHERE IT'S AT!

I've taken some images straight from Kmart's website here in New Zealand.

You're wanting to look for items which co-ordinate well with other items, but also co-ordinate well with the other members of your family. Remember, we aren't MATCHING, we're co-ordinating.. it's a subtle difference. For example, the following image is something I quickly threw together based on what my own children (8, 6 & 3) would be happy wearing. To be honest, my daughter hates a pair of jeans, but I thought there'd be a lot of kids out there with jeans in their wardrobe so I decided to include them.

All these items are available at Kmart at the time this post is published. THIS is co-ordinating. The colours, fabrics, and patterns go well together. Nothing is clashing and nothing is TOO 'matchy matchy'.

Would I pair the pink shoes with the yellow outfits? No. But again, most little girls have a pair of pink shoes like this, and they'd go well with the jeans and taupe knit. Neutral colours will always go well with each other. The following images are a great selection of Kmart buys for the entire family! I will admit, Kmart isn't for everyone. Some people have very specific styles which Kmart doesn't cater too.. but for the most part, Kmart is a really great place to start if you're looking for new outfits on a budget.

$24 and you have yourself a complete outfit which fits well, has zero stains, and you've been able to co-ordinate with the rest of the family. Yes, if you have a few kids, or you're purchasing new outfits for all of you, including shoes, $24 can quickly turn into $150! And $150 is a new set of uniform for my kiddos! So I feel your pain! Be smart about your purchases. Shop your wardrobe first! Do you have a top and shoes, but maybe need a cardigan and some pants? Do the kids have shoes but just need a co-ordinating outfit which isn't covered in pictures of Spiderman or Bluey? Lay your options out on the floor together and see what works.. only buy what you need. Kids have shoes but they look a little worse for wear? Chuck them through the machine or take a few wet wipes to them before you decide to buy new ones. BE SMART! I will point out, what you won't find in the following selections is anything with thin line detailing or patterns which are small and detailed (like tiny polkadots). These patterns play with the camera and don't photograph well. The camera can't make sense of the patterns and will make them look strange in your final photographs.