Shopping at H&M and wondering about the right sizing for clothing? 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, Other Stories and COS. But now onto H&M…

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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.

Should you size up in H&M?

If you’re typically a UK 10, you’ll likely be okay with a 10 in H&M. However, if you prefer a looser fit or are between sizes, sizing up is worth considering.

H&M’s sizes can vary slightly across lines. If you have broader shoulders, curvier hips, or are taller, consider sizing up in specific items like jeans or dresses.

Are H&M sizes small?

Compared to some UK brands with a more generous fit (e.g., Marks Spencer), H&M can sometimes run slightly smaller, particularly in Other Stories or Conscious collections. However, it’s not a universal rule. Always check the size guide and consider sizing up if unsure.

Does Zara run smaller than H&M?

Yes, Zara‘s clothing in the UK usually has a slimmer fit, especially in dresses and pants. If you find H&M comfortable, sizing up in Zara might be necessary for a similar fit. However, individual experiences can vary. Check size guides and reviews for specific items for the best guidance.

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 and provide detailed measurements for every item they sell, including tops, blouses, dresses, skirts, trousers, petite, maternity, bras, footwear and more.