Nostalgia

VHS and visors: Relive the ’80s with this vintage Kmart catalogue

Jul 28, 2019

Kmart's catalogue from 1986 shows a whole different world! Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

Looking at vintage catalogues might be the closest we thing we have to stepping into a time machine. With different styles, prices and products, there’s no better way to remember how a particular decade used to be.

Facebook group ‘Old Shops Australia’ shared a series of photos reminding people what Kmart stores looked like over three decades ago. Much like the place we know and love today, Kmart in the ’80s was a one-stop shop for everything from clothes to toys, and kitchenware to outdoor furniture. However, the style back then was far from the sleek, modern vibe Kmart promotes today.

Blank video tapes were in high demand as were the super cheap vegetable seedlings available, however it was the pastel shoulder bag with matching visors that may have been the most quintessentially ’80s piece in the entire catalogue.

In this 1986 Kmart flashback, you can get everything from pilsner glasses to plants! Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

Nothing expresses a decade more clearly than clothing, and Kmart fashion in 1986 was exactly what you would expect – bright block colours, gaudy hair pieces and extremely questionable patterns. Thankfully, it seems Kmart’s fashion sense has improved since the days of bright pants that are sure to “get you noticed”.

In 1986, Kmart clothing was fairly different than it is today. Source: Facebook/ Old Shops Australia.

Men’s short shorts were no joke in the ’80s with stores making sure there was as much thigh on show as possible. And while it’s hard to overlook the bold fashion statement in this photo, what’s more concerning are the overwhelming number of mullets on show!

Men’s fashion in Kmart in the ’80s was far from what it is today. Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

Outdoor furniture was all the rage in the ’80s, but why go for a plain table setting when you could have a fully matching set complete with a shady umbrella? A fold away table and a few chairs was all you needed for a good time by the pool and these stylish sets were absolutely perfect for the job!

Matching table settings were clearly popular at Kmart in 1986. Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

Technology is one of those areas in life that will really make you feel like time is rushing by. Thirty-three years ago, VHS players were the only way to watch movies and if you wanted to snap a photo you would have to wait until the film was developed to actually see how they turned out.

Tapes, VHS players and big cameras were all sold at Kmart in 1986. Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

From Pound Puppies to electric intercom sets, kids of the ’80s got to enjoy some fantastic toys. However, prices back then were hardly cheaper than today, especially the A.G Bears which cost a whopping $114 each.

These Kmart toys from the ’80s were more expensive than toys today. Source: Facebook/Old Shops Australia.

In fact, although it was three decades ago, many of the items in the old catalogue were either the same price or even more expensive than what is currently sitting in the shelves today’s Kmart stores.

However, while the price stays the same – almost everything else has changed. From style to products, it’s safe to say Kmart in the ’80s was a whole different world.