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As the new Pfister Narrator, I have been spending time at the beautiful Pfister Hotel. Consequently, I invested in a few items to spruce up the wardrobe.

I buy most of my clothing second hand, but I decided to try a few affordable new-clothing stores, too. So I asked around. Multiple women suggested H&M, Target and Kohl’s Department Store.

I don’t like malls or shopping, so I decided to check out these stores in one swoop to get it over with. I started at H&M. Indeed, I found some items I liked. And the prices were pretty good.

I was excited to find slightly upscale attire that still had edge. Like dress pants with a subtle skull print and black, vaguely Gothy tops.

But my enthusiasm waned behind the dressing room door.

Ninety-eight percent of my wardrobe is a size 6, and so, naturally, that’s the size I grabbed at H&M. However, I could barely pull the pants above my knees. So I got an 8. Better, but still too small. 

I thought about grabbing a 10, but then I got annoyed. It’s not that a size 10 is upsetting to me – it’s an average size for a woman – but I realized that if scrawny ol’ me needs to try on clothing that’s two sizes or more larger than her usual size, what does this mean for women who are a 10 or a 12? Do they grab a 14 or 16 at H&M?

Does H&M even carry a 16?

I ran this by a couple of other women and both agreed that the sizing at H&M runs small. A male coworker said he noticed the same thing in the men’s clothing.

I’m not suggesting vanity sizing where I miraculously fit into a size 0, but H&M’s sizing seems unfair. Especially for women who already struggle with body acceptance. (Ahem, most of us.)

Interestingly, I went to Target and Kohl’s following my trip to H&M (where I bought nothing because I was so frustrated with the sizing) and I easily fit into a size 6 again.

I just don’t get it H&M.