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Tip Store: Clothes: Underwear, Lingerie and Sleepwear

​Hang-ups

The solution to not having the elastic in your bras wear is to hang them by the middle piece between the cups. Just lay them over the line with a cup each side. That way there's no strain on the elastic and they last forever.
​Contributed by Karen Craig, 17th January 2013

​Hand Wash Only

I was recently told by a bra fitting consultant that you should always hand wash your bras (not in the washing machine in a lingerie bag) and line dry only. Also, get fitted every year; you may be wearing the wrong size which could also lead to stretching.
​- Contributed by Trish O'Halloran, 18th January 2013

​Look at Factory Outlets and Department Store Clearance Racks for Bargain Undies

If you live in Perth, Western Australia, try Harbourtown near the city, it has amazing deals on all things including underwear. Factory outlets also have great discounts, and in many stores like Kmart, Target or Big W there is usually a section in the store which is for reduced/clearance clothing items - it's usually because they have gone out of fashion for the season, or they are only a few left of the product. You may have to search a bit to find it, but its well worth the savings. You can save over 70% and the product it just a good.
​- Contributed by Megan Douglas, 25th September 2012

​Kmart Has Best Buys on Undies

I recently bought some very nice knickers (3 pack for $9 the set) in K-Mart and they are great, terrific to wear, wash well and look great. And the range of really up-to-date underwear was really fantastic and inexpensive too as well as quality.
​Contributed by Peggy Huntley, 24th September 2012

​Cotton On to Bulk Buys

I recently had the same trouble with my 14 year old daughter. We went to Cotton On where they commonly have bulk buys - 4 or 5 for a certain price, depending on the style. Seems to be popular with the teenagers in our area! And certainly a lot cheaper than Bonds!
​- Contributed by Katherine Field, 24th September 2012

​Let Teens Work for Their Clothing Allowance

Either buy from a factory outlet store when on sale or help your teens find an after school job to accommodate their expensive taste. It doesn't hurt them to learn the value of money early and actually makes them wiser when it comes to spending their hard earned dollars. Watch them start learning how to budget and get the best value for money. It might take them a little while to work this one out but they will eventually. Help them to establish financial goals with purpose. Your pocket will be much better off.
​- Contributed by Kathleen Burke, 20th September 2012

​Buying Bonds from Outlets

I used to be very much in to the Bonds brand but I got fed up with their pricing and inconsistent sizing. If your kids MUST have Bonds, there are factory outlets around Australia where you can get them for much cheaper than retail, although they won't have the whole range available. Check for an outlet in your state on www.factoryoutletshopping.com.au. If retail shopping, Target branded underwear is great and often uncannily similar to Bonds and Kayser designs. Best and Less have a great range of underwear and do also stock Bonds, but their other brands are great, on-trend and priced affordably. They regularly have sales and a reduced rack where you can buy a really great bra and undie combo for $13 or even less! Bendon factory outlet, located at most DFOs has a great range of underwear and you can get the fancy designer brands (Elle McPherson, Pleasure State, etc.) for next to nothing most of the time. Hope this helps!
- Contributed by Muna Numan 21st September 2012
​ Website: www.factoryoutletshopping.com.au

​Go for Generic Brands that are Affordable

Target is really very expensive I've found (heard a rumour this is about to change). Tell your teenagers that from now on, you'll be getting their underwear in generic brands that are affordable. If they want Bonds undies, they'll have to save and pay for them themselves! If they have to do this, I'm sure they'll eventually realize that they would rather spend their money on something else rather than underwear. Good luck! : )
​- Contributed by B. Thorley, 21st September 2012

​Let Kids Buy Their Own Undies

When my sons were teenagers we couldn't afford for them to keep up with their mates. So I gave them $20 each and told them to pay for their own clothes and not to ask me for any more money. They soon learnt to look at markets and second shops. They still use the experience today.
​- Contributed by Robyne Neal, 21st September 2012

​Lovely Lingerie on Clearance

I have a fussy 13 year old. Try brasnthings.com.au they have clearance sale page. Depending on the size and style you can find items from as low as $1.00.
- Contributed by Kathryn Cook, 21st September 2012
​ Website: www.brasnthings.com.au

​Fake It!

Kim, you aren't a fool, you're a parent! And you aren't alone. When my daughters were in the fussy teen stage. I used to find the prices overwhelming if I had to buy them underwear. You could hear the sharp intake of breath when I turned over the price tags! Eventually, I had to start looking for a cheaper option. I came up with a sneaky way that my daughters never cottoned on to. I began making a habit of unpicking the tags and washing every garment before wearing (for comfort and it's more hygienic anyway). From then on, whenever I shelled out for really expensive items (once a year or so) or when a relative bought them a brand-name, I removed and kept all the labels. I then scouted cheaper discount shops, bulk-buy places and online for similar clothes (which, let's be honest are probably made by the same people anyway). When I got the cheaper ones home, I would swap the fancy name tags with the cheapies, then I would leave them on my kids beds, so they would find them after school. If the fancy pair had lettering, I would sometimes make iron on cutout letters to stick on. I presented them as "Mossimo" "Bonds" etc. and my kids were heartily conned. They had "brand names" all of their teenage years. I found the web to be a fantastic source of bargain deals, with many websites offering real brands at budget prices. My daughter now has a daughter of her own. She is doing the same trick!
​- Contributed by Tash G., 21st September 2012

​Look Around for the Best Underwear Bargains

There are a few places where I regularly find underwear bargains. All these places have a lot of different, fashionable designs. These include direct factory outlet stores, Best and Less and Trade Secret. Good luck!
​- Contributed by Carma Hambley, 20th September 2012

​Darryllyn McRae

Last Saturday I went on a bus shopping tour which called into the Bond's outlet (South Yarra) where my fussy granddaughter (16 years) picked up underwear for $2.00 a pair and I purchased bras for less than half price.
​- Contributed by Darryllyn McRae, 20th September 2012

​$2 Undies from Best and Less

I used to do the Bonds $10 each undies, until about 8 years ago one of my girlfriends showed me some from Best and Less, I now spend $2 on my undies (that last years, even the elastic) and $1 - $1.50 on my child's and they have great patterns as well. he is growing out of them before they are being worn out, even my husband is really happy with the new undies I have bought him. I just haven't told him where they are from and that they were only $2 .
​- Contributed by Denise Scotford, 20th September 2012

​Gorgeous Lingerie Online

The most gorgeous underwear for teenage girls is available at www.lasenza.com.au There is usually a lot of great items available on their sale page. I give my teenage daughter a budget and let her shop for her own choices from the sale items.
​- Contributed by Christine Grigg, 20th September 2012

​When They Have to Pay for it, They're Not That Fussy!

I am one of five kids and my mum could not afford to buy us expensive anything. I too love Bonds undies but refuse to buy them because of the cost. When I was about 13 I started babysitting because mum said if I wanted to buy expensive items I would have to buy them for myself. I got less fussy about my underwear once I realised I would have to babysit for a few hours just to buy what I needed. Maybe you can put in the money for the cost of less expensive underwear and if your teens wish to buy Bonds undies they pay the difference. The other thing my mum did was to get my relatives to buy me nice underwear for Christmas and birthdays, that way I got what I wanted a couple of times a year! Good luck and I hope your teens become less fussy for you :)
​- Contributed by Jane Logan, 20th September 2012

​Mum's Choice is Better than None!

My teenagers decided they wanted to be very fussy until I told them they could pay - this curbed their enthusiasm somewhat - however, they started to come back with comments like "so-and-so's mum buys Bonds" - this was met with my taking their underwear and hiding it so that they did not have any to wear - guess what? I have not heard any complaints since I gave them their K-Mart/BigW/Target underwear back!!!
​- Contributed by Caroline White, 20th September 2012

​Set Teens a Clothing Budget and Stick To It

I don't have teenagers, but I'd make them buy their own underwear at that price! Perhaps show them what $90 can really buy; a week of groceries for the whole family; petrol for two small cars; sponsorship for a needy child for 3 months! Or challenge them; if they had $90 to spend, could they find their own cheaper underwear acceptable to them so they could use the difference for something else more fun?
​- Contributed by Hayley Davis, 20th September 2012

​Saving on PJ Tops

Approximate $ Savings: $ 15-$20 upwards per top

As many pyjama bottoms are sold separately these days it can work out very expensive when you have to buy both pants and top. I now buy all my tops at $5 from K-mart. The long/short sleeved tops not only look smart and come in a range of colours but I also find that they are not only warmer but also a lot cheaper, than other pyjama tops I have looked at.
​- Contributed by Julie McSparron, 11th July 2012

​Take Two Press Studs and Solve a Problem!

My Mum said you should never have safety pins in your underwear in case you get run over, oh The Shame! I have always sewn two press studs on to a small piece of ribbon and sewn this on to the seam of my blouses or jumper. Put the bra strap into ribbon and clip the stud tight. No falling straps!
​-Contributed by Sheila Dixon, 4th August 2011

​It's What's Underneath That Makes You Feel Good

What makes me feel rich is lovely underwear. My Gran used to say that a lady would wear darned and mended rags if she had to, but would have faultless underwear, shoes and gloves. The gloves have gone and I always have good shoes because I'm on my feet a lot, which leaves underwear. And Gran was right. When I wear properly fitted, pretty, supportive underwear I know that whatever I wear outside sits well and looks elegant. That makes me feel good and I'm sure it shows on my face, and certainly in my posture. Good underwear does not need to be expensive thanks to factory outlets and sales. Try it yourself - put on your good bra and matching pants when you get dressed tomorrow even if all you are doing is getting the groceries then doing canteen duty at school. You really will feel well dressed, and it gives such a feeling of self-confidence.
​- Contributed by Georgina Richard, 22nd July 2010

​Lovely Lingerie from Sateen Sheets

Our young dog seemed to think it was fun to rip clothes off the line! He tore a pair of good quality king size cotton sateen sheets off the line, so instead of using the remainder for rags as we had plenty already, I made myself a nightgown, a camisole and a pair of French knickers all with insertions of cotton lace and tucks, rather like the garments of yesteryear. They are very comfortable and cool in a hot climate and I didn't waste the torn sheets or need to buy fabric for my beautiful lingerie.
​- Contributed by Carmel, Grafton, 31st January 2010

​Michelle's Secret to End of Season Bargains

Approximate $ Savings: 50%-80%

Take advantage of end of season sales for major American online stores, such as victoriassecret.com and landsend.com. You'll save at least 50% on clothes and shoes for the season we are going into (and they are going out of). With the high A$ and well priced (and fast) shipping, you can get some real bargains. Note that American sizes are one down from ours, so an Australian size 12 is an American size 10. Shoe sizes are the same as ours.
​- Contributed by Michelle, Mt. Waverley, 11th October 2009

Websites:
www.victoriassecret.com
​www.landsend.com

​Steppin' Out in Comfort

The steppin's style underwear is expensive and I found it cut into my thighs making the whole idea a waste of time and very uncomfortable. I took an old pair of stockings and cut them up to my thigh. Problem solved and it also helps when I wear a skirt so my legs don't rub together. Hope this helps others.
​ Contributed by Edwina Laburm, 19th January 2009