Shopping at H&M and wondering whether their clothing runs small, large or true to size? Here, I’m sharing everything you need to know so you don’t order the wrong size or spend money needlessly. I love shopping, but we all know that finding the right size can be difficult when most fashion retailers don’t have standardised sizes.
You might remember that H&M was called out for its skewed sizing options via social media. One woman’s viral post expressed her disappointment about the brand’s unrealistically small sizes and this pushed the high-street brand to overhaul its sizing. A spokesperson at the time said, “H&M in the USA will be updating their sizing structure for ladies’ customer starting with new summer and fall 2018 products.
“We always want to listen to our customers and their feedback. The new sizing will be more in line with the North American sizing standard and the retail landscape of the market.”
The new sizing meant that you could go down a size from your regular H&M size, but confusingly the sizes were really small anyway. Now, I just buy my regular size, which is a UK size 10.
Shopping in-store is much easier to gauge the sizes, but if you’re buying clothes online, it’s always good to buy two different sizes if you can. Even if it’s expensive, you can always return the one that doesn’t fit. Of course that’s not always possible, so if you want to know how to navigate H&M’s clothing sizes, keep scrolling for what you need to know.
Next, read more about the sizing at ASOS, Mango, Zara, & Other Stories and COS. But now onto H&M…
Contents hide
Wear Next may receive a small commission if you click a link from one ofour articles onto a retail website and make a purchase.
For fashion advice and chit-chat, join our Facebook groupWhat To Wear Nextor follow us onInstagram.
Does H&M’s sizing come up small?
H&M has come on leaps and bounds since overhauling their sizing. I personally find most of their sizing pretty true to size now, particularly when it comes to dresses, coats, jumpers and tops. However I find their denim jeans still fall on the smaller side, so you might need to go one or two sizes up to find the right fit.
Last year, I bought this pair of cords in my regular size (UK 10) and they fit perfectly. I also ordered a few jumpers last year and they all fit well too. That said, I really do recommend trying on in-store if you’re worried about fit. Just doing this once will inform the sizing you can order online going forward.
Should I size up or down at H&M?
If anything, I’d recommend going up a size at H&M if you really need to. Their sizes are definitely not roomy, so if you have to order two sizes, I’d order your regular size and one up to be on the safe side.
H&M size guide
You can seeH&M’s detailed size guideon the brand’s website. They offer a how-to guide on finding your measurements and provide detailed measurements for every item they sell, including tops, blouses, dresses, skirts, trousers, petite, maternity, bras, footwear and more.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of fashion retailing and sizing dynamics, I've extensively researched and followed developments in the fashion industry, including various brands' sizing practices, such as H&M. My knowledge base includes a combination of firsthand shopping experiences, consumer feedback, brand statements, and industry trends.
Understanding H&M's Sizing Practices:
-
Historical Context: H&M, like many other fast-fashion retailers, faced criticism in the past for its inconsistent and often unrealistic sizing. The brand's acknowledgment of this issue and subsequent changes in sizing approaches indicate its responsiveness to consumer feedback and market demands.
-
Transition to North American Sizing: As highlighted in the article, H&M underwent a transition in its sizing structure, particularly for its U.S. market, aiming to align more closely with North American sizing standards. This shift aimed to address complaints about overly small sizes, making it easier for consumers to find their fit.
-
Current Sizing Dynamics: Based on recent experiences and feedback, H&M's sizing has become more consistent and generally true to size for many clothing categories, such as dresses, coats, jumpers, and tops. However, specific items like denim jeans may still tend to run smaller, necessitating adjustments like going one or two sizes up.
-
Recommendations for Online Shopping: While online shopping offers convenience, the lack of physical interaction with products makes sizing unpredictable. Hence, for H&M and similar brands, it's advisable to:
- Refer to the brand's detailed size guide available on its website.
- Consider going up a size if unsure, especially for tighter-fitting items or specific categories known for smaller sizing (e.g., denim).
- Whenever feasible, try on products in-store to gauge fit and subsequently inform online purchases.
-
Resourceful Tools: H&M's commitment to addressing sizing concerns is evident through its comprehensive size guide available on its website. This guide provides detailed measurements for various clothing items, facilitating informed purchasing decisions across categories like tops, blouses, dresses, skirts, trousers, petite, maternity, bras, footwear, and more.
In conclusion, while H&M has made commendable strides in enhancing its sizing consistency and aligning with market standards, individual fit preferences and specific product categories may still necessitate careful consideration and potentially adjusting sizing choices. Leveraging available resources like size guides and occasionally trying products in-store can significantly enhance the online shopping experience and minimize sizing-related challenges.
