Student’s Post Calling Out H&M About “Unrealistically Small” Clothing Goes Viral
We’ve all been there! Ruth Clemens took H&M to task about “unrealistically small” clothing [Photo: Facebook/Ruth Clemens]
Clothes shopping? You know the drill, a size 14 might fit you perfectly in one shop, be way, way too snug in another and positively baggy in another #sizingproblems.
But one woman has had enough of inconsistent sizing and it seems she’s not the only one.
Student Ruth Clemens took to Facebook to call out High Street chain H&M for their “unrealistically small” clothes. In a post that has since gone viral she vented her frustration about being unable to fasten a pair of size 16 jeans, despite normally being a 14.
“I was browsing your sale items in your Leeds store and spotted this pair of kick flare jeans. They were only a tenner - bargain! - and a size 16. I’m normally a size 14 on my hips (occasionally 16 if buying trousers) so I thought I’d try them on. It did not go well,” she wrote.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, size 16 is the largest size you stock (apart from in your plus size range, which is very limited in store and does not offer the range of styles for the fashion-conscious that are available in smaller sizes).
“I am not overweight (not that that should matter) and although I’m 5 foot 11 my body is pretty average shape-wise. It’s already difficult enough for me to find clothes that fit well because of my height, why are you making jeans that are unrealistically small? Am I too fat for your everyday range? Should I just accept that accessible and affordable high street and on-trend fashion isn’t for people like me?
“You might recognise the top I’m wearing - it’s one of yours and it’s a size Medium. Sort it out would you.”
The student’s post struck a chord with other disgruntled shoppers [Photo: Facebook/Ruth Clemens]
And it seems Ruth’s post struck a chord with other disgruntled shoppers fed up with inconsistent High Street sizing, not just in H&M but in many other stores. Since posting earlier this week, her message has since been shared over 10K times and received over 8K comments with many offering up similar experiences.
“Unbelievable!!! It comes as no shock that many people including children/teens have low self esteem when it comes to their body. Will H&M sort this out?? I highly doubt it, and that is the upsetting thing!!! Fantastic that you have posted this,” wrote one woman.
“I am so fed up of this, I just wish the high street would decide on what constitutes a size for a woman i.e a standard 8/10/12/14 etc in the same way that men can just pick up a size M or L and know that it will fit them. It’s frustrating and depressing that every time you shop you have to try on 3 different sizes in every shop because you could be a 10 in one place and an 18 in another,” commented another.
H&M were quick to respond to Ruth’s message in the comments.
“Hi Ruth, thank you so much for your feedback,” they wrote. “We are sorry to hear about your experience in store recently. We always want our customers to have an enjoyable time when shopping in store and to leave feeling confident in themselves. At H&M we make clothing for all our stores around the world, so the sizing can vary depending on the style, cut and fabric. We value all feedback and will take on board the points you and other customers have raised.”
Maybe the overwhelming response to the sizing issue might prompt High Street stores to get together and do something about it. But in the mean time we’ll have to go continue taking five different sizes into the changing rooms with us. As we said #sizingproblems
Do you think there needs to be more consistency in sizing? Join the debate @YahooStyleUK
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