UK Clothing Sizes

[oblong]

I went shopping for a 3 piece suit the other day, tried a few on in various stores, and ended up buying one at H&M. I consider my size to be a 16 on the bottom and a 14 on the top at the moment, and tried a suit on in Next that fitted beautifully at those sizes, and went to a couple of other places with similar results. But H&M? There is no way I could fit into a size 16 pair of trousers there, and I ended up getting size 20 trousers and size 18 waistcoat and jacket!!!!!!!!!! The thing is, I own another suit that I bought from H&M that is a size 14/16, and although that is a little tight at the moment, I can at least get the trousers past my thighs and the jacket over my shoulders!!

Has anyone else had similar experiences with H&M, or with other shops that have skewed sizing labels? Does anyone have any idea why this happens? Are the shops trying to make their customers feel too fat for their clothes? What the heck is going on?

[RosieGirl]

I too have felt like a fat cow in H&M. I have never been ovr a size 14, I'm mostly a 12 - 14 in UK sizing. In H&M one day I couldn't squeeze my arse into a 14 no matter how hard I tried. I was depressed and went to topshop to cheer myself up (where you'll find their clothes generously cut and a 12 usually always fits!)

i don't know what is up with H&M's sizing, but I have avoided the place ever since. Shows how stupidly sensitive I am to a stupid tag on the back of my clothes, eh?

x

[Kay2008]

Sometimes if I am empty on the old pennies I buy some clothes from the Tesco range :lol: . Some not bad stuff in there ya know! :p
I often find their sizes are way out.

I find their sizes tend to be bigger. I can get into a 14 or 16 in most shops, but when I go to Tesco I have to have a 12 instead of a 14, or a 14 instead of a 16.

When this this kinda thing happens it puts me off going clothes shopping, or especially going into the changing rooms!

[Bimeyswasp]

I actually find Next to have funny sizing so avoid shopping there. I never buy from H&M or Gap either as I think they make all of their clothes for tall skinny people!

[Hekaterine]

I'm a big fan of Ambrose Wilson. They have a good range of clothes and seem to be good for my body shape (big bust and hips, comparatively - ha! - small waist).

I'm a 20-22 in other shops but usually an 18 in AW

[Eme]

most shops get on my nerves to be honest,
the first time round of loosing a tonn of weight i went into a shop
and picked out five pairs of jeans that i liked size 12,
well i came out of the changing room with 2 pairs, the others
i found either too baggy or too tight.
so as much as i Hate to try stuff on,it's really in my best interest,
as i'm fed up with buying things that when i get home don't fit.
having said that,i bought two bra sets this weekend and the bras
are too tight, :o

[big_loser]

h&m is already a size smaller anyway - like 42 is meant to be 14 but to them 40 is a 14. but then their sizes are still smaller on top of that!

[oblong]

I bought 3 skirts from Monsoon yesterday, all size 12. I'm still a size 18-20 at H&M though. Crazy crazy crazy!

[juksey]

You'll all remember the M&S Naked lady on the Hill Shouting
" I'M NORMAL"
When they tried to market the fact that " 16 "was the average size of Women in the UK..

Have you not thought that its all a marketing ploy,
To get you to buy MORE from the shops where you appear to
fit the Smaller Sizes..

[amandawood]

I buy practically all my clothes from mail-order companies. I hatetrying on clothes in shops - it's so time-consuming and just downright annoying.

But on the sizes, the mail-order companies are no better. I am currently in possession of various sized trousers and shorts - from a German size 38 - 42 (UK sizes 12 - 16) and they all fit!

amanda