Shop sizing is weird - yes you H&M

[Pantone363]

I've just spent 10 minutes fighting my way out of a dress I nearly had to cut off. Cannot breath in it. It's a size 10, I'm 5ft 6 and 8st 8lbs why the fuck doesn't it fit . Size 8 in top shop is fine

Shouldn't there be a standard agreed on measurement across all sizes and shops?

I'm completely with you on this - I loathe the vanity sizing shops such as Fat Face, New Look and White Stuff are delivering - I'm a size 6-8 in all of those shops yet at the higher end of my BMI and an exact 12 in most other shops. The problem is stupid people who write things like 'too small and I wouldn't buy a size up' in the reviews of clothes so that shops cater to people too vain to accept their size. No one can see the size label just buy the flipping size you are, I say that as someone who has been a size 14 and wasn't afraid to buy the bigger size. Then there's the shops with totally different sizing in different clothing like H&M:/

Agreed and agree about the jumble sale shops we have 2 local h and m's I don't have time or patience to go through them they look like a tip! Shame as their childrens clothes look nice.

I remember the dungaree thread!! Sorry Mintyy I was with the haters in that one.

Gap are the biggest joke for sizing. I can't fit in to many trendy brands at all but I have a Gap jumper in size small.

Fat Face have shrunk their sizes. I was always a twelve in there and now I'm a 14, which is my real size. Their vanity days are over.

And now we have a Lululemon shop in town,upon entering you could be forgiven for thinking it's an upmarket pet supply shop. I'm all for small sizes being catered to but they are selling gear for adult women that is roughly the same size as my hand.

I can't see how a skeleton and vital organs can squeeze inside.

Oh thank god! I bought a pair of size 14 trousers from H&M last week with it trying them on, being pretty confident in knowing my size. Can barely get them past my knees! Good to know it's not just me.

Fat face definitely haven't shrunk their sizes, I went in there yesterday and got very fed up with having to go back for smaller sizes. The shop assistants all agreed and were unimpressed with the number of returns they're getting back with things that are much bigger.

I do thoroughly dislike anything totally baggy however so as long as it doesn't cling to anywhere or show my stomach I will size down in baggier fits. I really wish there was a standardized fit across shops and with a note telling you to 'go a size bigger' 'go a size smaller' if the look requires a baggier fit.

Saveour, totally agree!

The whole thing makes online shopping a nightmare

I think H&M sizing is all over the place. I'm an 18 in most shops but cannot get their 18 done up, I'd say it's at least 2 sizes too small. Yet in their clothes that are just sized as S M L XL, the L fits me better than the XL, and I've got s tube skirt from there in an M that fits. I also take size 8 in their shoes when I'm really size 7.

I had a voucher for H+M and could find nothing that would fit so bought clothes for DC instead. I'm roughly a 12 and some of my size 10 pre baby clothes from other places still fit. Odd.

I used To work for H&M many moons ago, their sizing is based on Swedish sizing, which is why they are typically for thin people with long legs, I fit neither that category I might add.