'Vintage' H&M, vanity sizing or has their sizing always been off?

[LivingDeadGirlUK]

I've got some stuff to sell that I found in the loft, clothes from the early 2000's which are apparently vintage now! The first bag I've opened is H&M, workwear type stuff, its good condition and made of cotton rather than plastic. However the labels all say equivalent to size 14-16, which is the size I am now (swear I was a 12-14 back then...) and its TINY. What are the standard dress size measurements as they seem to differ wherever I look on the internet :/

The sizing has always been off. I remember as a size 8 (when I was in my early 20s) buying size 14 jeans from H&M...

It's always been very random. I don't shop there much these days but back when I did, I'm sure I had clothes in pretty much every size between XS and XL and I was around a size 10...

H&M were always small back in the day. I always remember needing to get a size bigger from here. I do think they have got bigger in about the last five years.

I also think there is a difference in the sizing between their ranges. The divided range, which I presume is for teenagers, has always been a bit smaller than their other clothes.

Mm I did wonder if that was the case, I've dug down to some Etam stuff that seems a bit more sensibly labelled!

I'm not sure if Divided was a thing back then, all the clothes have just a standard label but it's all quite punky/emo, as was I :)

I think it’s always been random. I have a size 10 skirt I bought there in 2003, still fits me, I’m still that size in skirts, although can be a 12 (Karen Millen) or 8 (Next, M&S)…

H&M never had a standard sizeing system. I had size 18 wide leg trousers in the 2000s and they just about zipped up; but also a size 14 pair of jeans that were too big, and all my tops were either XS or S. I even wore size 8 jumpers when I’m nowhere close to that size.

Their sizeing is a lot better now.

Divided was around then, my skirt is divided and I remember always checking out that range - I would have been early 20s then.

H&M and cos sizing is mental. I'm somehow both a small and a 20 in those places.

H&M were teeny tiny up to about 2-3 years ago. I am a 12 trouser and never managed to get into any of theirs. I am a 14 top and needed an XXL.
Suddenly I can fit in their M.

Zara is the same.

@catfunk

H&M and cos sizing is mental. I'm somehow both a small and a 20 in those places.

Yep. And Zara. I'm a 12 yet for Zara I'm so morbidly obese I should just wear a sheet.

H&M sizing always was, and still is, weird. I bought a lovely dress in the sale in size L - I'm a size 16-18 and it was loose (which was fine as it's a smock style). Ordered it in a different colour - they only had it in XL but I thought I'd give it a go, and I can barely get it over my head. XL is meant to be a 20-22. Meanwhile an XL coat I bought in the winter sale was so big I had to get it altered!

I remember during my first pregnancy I was a 6/8 and needed 10/12 maternity jeans. H and m sizes are crackers. Always have been.

There are things from Pilot in this bag! I'd totally forgotten about them.

H&M sizing was always a bit mad. I’ve size 10 trousers which are a bit roomy and a pair of size 16 jeans which are just right.

I've always found with H&M that anything that comes in individual sizes (like 12, 14, 16 etc) is ridiculously small, but anything that comes in S M L is surprisingly generous.

When I took size 18, I had some size 22 trousers from there and a tube skirt in size M, both of which fitted perfectly.

I like H&M office wear but need a size 6 or their blouses look massive on me. I have a few of their summer dresses and the 8 is fine so I think it really does depend on the range.

I’m not teeny tiny I’m a healthy bmi btw.

I still find H&M to have weird sizing. Never been able to wear any of their trousers - seem to need a size 18/20 for my size 12 bottom half, but if I want a top/jumper a Small or a 10 is fine.

Their sizing was insane back then. I was (still am) a 12 and I remember the first time I went in there I couldn't get 14 trousers over my knees. I always needed at least 2 sizes up. I do think they've sorted it out over the last 2-3 years now I can wear my normal size or its only 1 size up.

@LivingDeadGirlUK

Mm I did wonder if that was the case, I've dug down to some Etam stuff that seems a bit more sensibly labelled!

Etam: size 16 =28" waist.

I'd love to know how well H&M has done the past 18 months. I'm not in UK but they are the only store that has closed their changing room for customers to try on clothes. Through all lockdown levels.

I have such an assortment of sizes from there, but I have to try everything on. Some seem right (size 8/10) but then others are ridiculous. I buy all my t-shirts and vest tops in their childrens section (age 14 usually) but the best yet is a pair of cargo pants I have, age 12 to 13. They fit me quite well. I am 51!

It's the quietest shop in every mall, purely because nobody can try anything on!

H&M definitely used to be tiny until a few years ago, in the early 2000s I was a size 14/M in most shops and the largest size in H&M was often too small. I remember being delighted to find a pair of size 18 equivalent jeans, but couldn't get them over my thighs.

But now I'm a size 18-20 and plenty of their stuff fits...