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Do H&M’s Sizes Run Small? Everything You Need To Know About Getting The Right Fit

Pick the right size.

Shopping at H&M? You’ll want to know how their sizes hold up.

I love shopping, but as a petite woman finding the right size can be difficult when most fashion retailers don’t have standardised sizes. So I often wonder if I’m on the smaller side or medium when shopping.

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In 2016, the brand 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.

h&m dress
H&M

This pushed the high-street brand to tweak its size chart. But how has it been holding up since then?

According to recent reviews, most bottoms run on the smaller side and you have to go two sizes up to find the right ones that fit. Meanwhile, tops and shirts tend to be a hit or miss.

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. 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.

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Does H&M’s sizing come up small?

It depends. After tweaking their sizing chart, people have noticed that H&M’s sizes are inconsistent.

Reviewers have aired out their sentiments on online forums and blogs about challenges finding the right-sized bottoms.

Personally, I find their denim jeans still fall on the smaller side. So if you’re a size 6 (like me), you might need to go one or two sizes up to find the right fit.

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H&M

If you’re looking for jeans but the size chart says they don’t fit right, don’t worry! It’s not you. It’s the brand’s inconsistent sizing.

Their tops and t-shirts are relatively true to size, but a few pieces fall on the larger side.

When shopping at H&M for tops, you must read their labels carefully. Most of their ‘relaxed’ or ‘oversized’ items will run big, so you’ll need to pick a size according to the fit you’re after.

Zara vs H&M

Zara has also been called out for their unrealistic small sizes. Compared to Zara, H&M’s sizes are either true to size, a little too small, or too big. It all depends on the clothing item you buy.

Despite their affordable prices and fashion-forward pieces, shopping for the right size can feel like a hassle. But I recommend trying before you buy to avoid any sizing issues.

READ MORE: Is Zara True to Size?

Does H&M’s coats and jumpers run big or small?

Yes and no. Their outerwear varies in style and size, so you will either go up or go down.

Their collection of coats and jackets is on the larger side. While their blazers, jumpers, and cardigans tend to run small.

H&M size guide

You can see H&M’s detailed size guide on the brand’s website.

They offer a how-to guide on finding your measurements to make shopping a little easier. They also provide detailed measurements for every item they sell.