H and M sizing ...

[ClaraFox]

Probably done to death ? But anyway ...

I'm a standard size 10 usually and that's across the board at Next, Gap, Fat Face ... I go up a size for gilets and buy a size 8 in stretchy tops.

So I did a big ish shop in H and M recently. Just wanted some basics. I grabbed everything in a size 10 or a S. And it's just ridiculous...

One top I cannot get my head though. Err my head?! Another one I can't get my arms in. Another one in size 8 is enormous and something else in size 10 is so tight it's unbelievable.

Are they well known for this?

[flakjacket]

Yup

[Hopefully]

Yup - they get stuff from a huge range of factories so the sizing is all over the place - I suspect not having much quality control about sizing is one of the ways they keep costs down to the customer.

[ClaraFox]

ah right.

makes.me wonder what the point of even putting a size in the back is!

it's been a long time since I quite literally couldn't get my head in something

[passata]

I feel much better now - had to buy their size 14 blazer and I'm normally a 10.

[vix1980]

So glad its not just me then, I tried on a dress in there once, just plain strapless dress, im a size 14 so picked up a 14 and 16 as i knew they came up small.

The bottom half of the dress was a size 20 at least whilst the top half was at least a 10. probably 2 sections made in completely different factories.

I remember crying my eyes out after id given birth to ds i ordered a few cheapy pants to see me through the baby weight loss. I was actually less than before id got pregnant, still size 12-14 so ordered a 16, they wouldnt go near me, think i cried for a few hours that night, before googling and seeing how crap there sizes were!

[Amethyst24]

Their sizing is wildly random. I find it particularly annoying that they have things sized at 8-10 then 12-14. Basically means that unless you're a small 10, it won't fit.

[hugoagogo]

I would always go a size up in h&m but I have found some things big- to add to the confusion.

I would never buy trousers from there, they are always miniscule, for teenagers only I assume.

[crazykat]

I've bought two long sleeved tshirts in the same size/style just a different colour and there's a notice lie difference in the size when I wear them. I'd got them a couple of sizes big anyway as I wanted them to be loose instead of fitting IYSWIM and its a good thing as one is quite baggy (what I was going for) and the other fits nice.

I hate clothes shopping as I'm still trying to lose the two stone I put on between having four dcs and I hate how I look. It makes it worse when two items in the same size and style have such a big difference (1-2 inches sometimes) its not great for confidence even though I know I'm not going to look as good as someone who is their ideal weight.

[Chopsypie]

The sizing is awful. I shop there quite a bit as I over the style and the prices but the sizes are awful. I'm a pretty standard 16. But have h&m stuff in sizes 14 to 22!

[treaclesoda]

I remember being reduced almost to tears by a pair of maternity trousers in H&M. I put on very very little weight when pg and have slim legs anyway. Size 16 stretch maternity trousers wouldn't even pull up past my knees, when I could easily fit into 12s in other shops.

Their kids clothes are even worse, as one age 6-8 t-shirt might be a totally different size to another with the same label. And there is no guarantee that both arms of a ling sleeved top will be anywhere near the same length.

[5madthings]

oh they are crap size wise.

i.got two skirts recently, identical but in diff colours. one fits nicely and is slightly loose on the waist, the other i need to lose half a stone for it to fit.

and their trousrrs, i am a size ten next etc but in h&m i can get their jeans over my knees! even if i try a 16!! ffs i dont have huge knees.

[starballbunny]

H&M sizing is pants!

12-16 seems to be small, DD1 becomes a 14 and I don't bother I can't get into anything (12&16 everywhere else).

MN verdict in the past has tended to small sizes big, big sizes small and some things just random.

Also the adults quality is no better than Primark.

Kids stuff is much better DD2 is a very average age 12 and it generally fits and lasts, although you still have to take her with you. I still wouldn't trust sizes to mail order

[Innogen]

I had to buy a size 12 in h and m trousers yesterday! I'm definitely an 8 - made me feel really great about myself. :/

[ClaraFox]

Yeah I've got a couple of pairs of Jeggings. They're a 10 and just beyond tight. Very unflattering and I can't move in them. I'd need to go up a few sizes at least with them.

They need to sort this out.

[paulapantsdown]

I'm a size 16, and I've had to buy size 20 in H&M! Thats good for the ego.

[5madthings]

Bizarrely even though their jeans/trousers don't fit I have to get their small leggings and tights.

[starballbunny]

paula our small H&M usally only has a couple of 18s, I've never seen a 20 hence giving up totally on the dump.

[50ShadesOfMaybe]

Clara I'm a standard size 10 usually and that's across the board at Next, Gap, Fat Face ... buy a size 8 in stretchy tops.

That's me too! And in H&M I'm lucky if a 12 fits!

Recently tried on the following: work trousers (10 too small, 12 too big, didn't buy); work pencil skirt (12 too small, no 14 in stock so didn't try); a pair of fitted shorts (12 fitted nicely, but tighter than some 10s I have from other places, so bought).

That's 2 out of a possible 3 sales they lost due to crap sizing.

Also, you kind of give up on the place as there are only so many different sizes you can take into the changing room, or so many times you can send DH back to get a different size.

[sloopy1]

I always buy from h&m in a Large or xl or 18/20 and it fits like a larger size 14 I'm a 16 or bigger 14 in most shops. I think they may be trying to change their sizes as there was a programe on tv with a size 16 girl trying size 16 jeans from different shops. The h&m jeans fit her. And I was trying to take advantage of the 10% off free delivery they just had to ordered some roll neck jumpers size L as they looked a bit oversize. It arrived I dread to think what a xl was they were huge 1 would have fit a size 30+ wish I had taken a photo!! so i have now had to re-order this jumper in a size Small because it's just what I need to cover a tattoo I have. I've got a good feeling the replacement jumper will fit but who know. I have recently shopped less and less there due to them not having as many discounts. But its ridiculous to keep paying delivery for clothes that dont fit I may give up altogether.

[HelenaVagBasket]

I hate their sizing.. I have jumpers in XS and M. I daren't try any trousers in there.

[worldgonecrazy]

H&M sizing is rubbish.

A quick tip for future reference when buying clothes without trying them on. Grab the item on either side roughly where the waist area would be, then wrap the item around your neck. If it fits around your neck it will fit around your waist. I was told this tip by someone who sells vintage clothes, and it really does work.

And yes, I'm a size 10/12 everywhere except H&M where even their size 16s are sometimes too tight.

[Whippet81]

I've had everything from a 10-18 and S-XL.

I'm a 10/12 and had to buy an 18 in maternity trousers - I emailed them to say this was ridiculous as surely anyone who was 14/16 or above to start with wouldn't be able to get in a thing. There reply was 'oh we would advise going a size up'. Hmm.

[Hlister90]

Thank God ive been feeling crap today as I'm wearing size 16 high waisted skinny jeans which are digging into my tummy and waist the button is undone . Felt so good yesterday as my size 14 work trousers are falling off me and feeling mega fat today